Eyes turned skyward today as the Queen’s Birthday flypast soared over Suffolk – while those in the aircraft had a fantastic bird’s eye view of the towns and villages below.

East Anglian Daily Times: The Orwell Bridge can be seen in the distance with the Waterfront in the foreground Picture: CONTRIBUTEDThe Orwell Bridge can be seen in the distance with the Waterfront in the foreground Picture: CONTRIBUTED (Image: Archant)

One of the RAF servicemen on board had just a short moment to capture these stunning views of Ipswich as the jets headed for London.

It was excellent weather for aerial photography and the pictures show a large area of east Ipswich with the hospital maternity block at the centre and countryside beyond, and in the second looking towards the Orwell Bridge with the Waterfront and its buildings, the New Cut, and Holywells Park and Landseer Park are captured.

The aircraft in view is the RAF Typhoon FGR4 and the photographer, a member of the RAF from Ipswich, was riding in the RAF Voyager.

He said: “We were travelling at 300kts which is just short of 350mph so I didn’t have long to work out where I was! I saw the BT Tower in Martlesham and worked out where I was from there.

“It was a truly unique experience flying 1,000 feet over Ipswich for the Queen’s Birthday on such a huge year for the Royal Air Force being 100 years old.

“Flying from Ipswich, my home, straight over Buckingham Palace for the Royal family and millions watching was very special.

“It was one of the highlights of my service career and I hope pictures like this can inspire people from Suffolk to follow their dreams and inspire kids to join the forces and be proud to be British.”

The photos were taken on an iPhone 8+.