Question: when did the royal flying corps became the raf
Answer: Royal Flying Corps Active 13 April 1912 -- 1 April 1918 Disbanded merged into Royal Air Force ( RAF ) , 1918 Country British Empire Allegiance King George V Branch British Army Size 3,300 aircraft ( 1918 ) Motto ( s ) Latin : Per Ardua ad Astra `` Through Adversity to the Stars '' Wars First World War Commanders Notable commanders Sir David Henderson Hugh Trenchard Insignia Roundel Flag