'Destroyers of the skies'. A formation of Blackburn Rocs, which have added new striking power to the Fleet Air Arm. These magnificent machines can be used as dive bombers,and are equipped with multi-machine gun turrets. Picture from 1940 volume of Hutchinson's Pictorial History of the War.
"[De Havilland] Mosquito FB Mark XVIII, NT225 O, of No. 248 Squadron RAF Special Detachment based at Portreath, Cornwall, banking away from the camera while in flight, showing the 57mm Molins gun mounted underneath the nose. This version is sometimes referred to as the Tsetse."
A Short Stirling Mark I (s/n N3641) of No. 7 Squadron RAF, running up its engines on the ground at Oakington, Cambridgeshire
This is the picture of the Short Stirling related to the plans already shown, published in book of ww2 aircraft by Harleyford. Picture from 'Flight' aircraft in the process of 'bombing up'
Tomahawks of No. 26 Squadron RAF based at Gatwick, Sussex, in flight. All Tomahawks based in the United Kingdom operated as low-level tactical reconnaissance aircraft with Army Co-operation Command, hence the oblique camera ports visible on the port fuselage side of these aircraft
"NO 121 (EAGLE) SQUADRON RAF, ROCHFORD, ESSEX, AUGUST 1942. Flying Officer K M Osbourne shares his experience of a 'dog fight' with his Commanding Officer, Squadron Leader W B Williams DFC and other members of the Eagle Squadron, following a fighter sweep. Left to right, they are: Flight Sergeant Bill Kelly, Flight Sergeant Sanders, Pilot Officer Don A Young, Flying Officer K M Osbourne, Squadron Leader W B Williams DFC, Pilot Officer Cadman Padget, three unidentified personnel, Pilot Officer F R Boyles, Flight Lieutenant Seldon R Edner (just visible), Flight Lieutenant Jim Daly DFC, Pilot Officer Jim Happel, and Flying Officer Barry Mahon."
NO 121 (EAGLE) SQUADRON RAF, ROCHFORD, ESSEX, AUGUST 1942. An intelligence officer collects information from an Eagle Squadron Spitfire crew after a flight. Left to right, they are: Flying Officer K M Osbourne, Flight Lieutenant Seldon R Edner, the intelligence officer, Squadron Leader W R Williams DFC (the Commanding Officer), Pilot Officer Don A Young and Pilot Officer F R Boyles."
Short Sterling 1942. From book Hutchinson's Pictorial History of the War June10th to November 24th (precise?) from section 'Work of Bomber Command, personnel of a heavy bomber'
Tomahawk IIB AK431 of 73 OTU, Abu Sueir, Egypt, May 1943
"[Hawker] Hurricane Mark I, V7608 XR-J, of No. 71 (Eagle) Squadron RAF, lined up with other aircraft at Kirton-in-Lindsey, Lincolnshire."
American pilots of No. 71 (Eagle) Squadron RAF gathered in front of one of their Hawker Hurricanes at Kirton-in-Lindsey, Lincolnshire, 17 March 1941."
A Bristol Beaufighter IF (s/n R2198) of No. 252 Squadron RAF based at Chivenor, Devon, in flight over the snow-covered West Country
A Martin Baltimore Mark IV (s/n FA495) of No. 223 Squadron RAF, bombing a road junction between Avezzano and Popoli on the Rome-Pescara highway, during attacks by medium bombers on enemy supply and reinforcement routes following the Allied landings at Anzio
Hurricanes armed with 40mm Vickers S anti-tank guns of No. 164 Squadron RAF undergoing servicing, lined up at Middle Wallop, Hampshire
"[North Amercan] Harvard Mk IIA (AT-6C) for the RAF, on the compass rose at Dallas, having its compass adjusted."
A Boston III (s/n Z2183) of No. 24 Squadron SAAF, in flight on an air test shortly after the Squadron re-equipped with the type at Shandur, Egypt
A Handley Page Halifax B.II Series 1A (s/n LW235) of No. 78 Squadron RAF based at Breighton, Yorkshire, in flight with triangular tail fins initially fitted to this version
A line of Martin Baltimore Mark IVs of No. 223 Squadron RAF Detachment at Luqa, Malta, being refuelled and loaded with bombs for a raid on enemy positions around Catania, Sicily
A Westland Whirlwind I (s/n P7094) of No. 263 Squadron RAF, on the ground at Warmwell, Dorset, with James Patrick COYNE, a Canadian pilot, in the cockpit. The markings below the cockpit indicate that this aircraft was presented to the RAF by the Bellows Foundation in South America
Two Hurricane Mark IIC night fighters of No. 87 Squadron RAF, at Charmy Down, Somerset. They are : HL864 (left) of F. W. MITCHELL and HL865 (right) of B. BAWDEN. Both aircraft carry 44-gallon underwing fuel tanks
Three Bristol Blenheim Mark IVs of No. 139 Squadron RAF based at Plivot, flying eastwards over Northern France to survey enemy fortifications
"A Supermarine Spitfire Mark IX of No 64 Squadron, Royal Air Force undergoing an engine overhaul just outside a blister hangar on the north side of Fairlop airfield in Essex. The aircraft had been pushed outside the hangar for the photograph. November 1942."
"An Italian shepherd boy, assisted by an airman, drives his flock of sheep across Triolo landing ground, south of San Severo, past [Supermarine] Spitfire HF Mark VIII JF472 'ZX-J' of No. 145 Squadron RAF, 6 November 1943. This aircraft was flown regularly by Squadron Leader Lance C. Wade, an American from Texas. He shot down two Fw190s on 2 Oct 1943 and damaged 3 Fw190s on 3 Nov 1943. He was killed in a flying accident on 12 January 1944."
John Joseph LYNCH, Commanding Officer of No. 249 Squadron RAF, sits in the cockpit of his Supermarine Spitfire Vc at Krendi, Malta, as an airman chalks "MALTA's 1,000th" below his victory tally. John Lynch, an American who joined the RAF in 1941, served with No. 71 (Eagle) Squadron RAF in the United Kingdom before being posted to No. 249 Squadron RAF in Malta in Novembe 1942. He became a flight commander in early 1943 and was given the command of the Squadron in March. He enjoyed much success during operations over the sea route between Sicily and Tunisia, and, on the 28 April 1943, shot down a Junkers Ju 52 five miles north of Cap Cefalu which was assessed as being the 1,000th enemy aircraft shot down by Malta-based units since the start of the War. John Lynch transferred to the USAAF in July 1943 having scored 17 confirmed victories (including 7 shared), one probable and two damaged (including one shared) with the RAF. He did not see more combat with the USAAF and was KIFA on 9 March 1956 in a F-84G-25-RE (s/n 52-3205)
Three Lysander Mark Is of No. 208 Squadron RAF, based at Heliopolis, Egypt, entering a starboard turn after flying over the Suez Canal
"A few words from a fellow pilot before the engine-start of Supermarine Spitfire Mark IX, BR600 `SH-V', of No 64 Squadron, Royal Air Force at Fairlop airfield in Essex. November 1942."
A Royal Air Force Bristol Beaufighter Aircraft (No 252 Squadron?) being serviced in the North West African Desert, May 1943"
"[Bristol] Beaufighter TF Mark X, NE343, in flight, fitted with rocket projectiles and a 200-gallon external fuel tank. NE343 was retained by the Bristol Aeroplane Company for test flying before operational service with No. 455 Squadron RAF."
[Bristol] Beaufighter TF Mark X, RD767, in flight shortly after completion at Bristols Weston-Super-Mare factory. This late-production model features AI Mark VIII radar housed in a 'thimble' nose, and a large extension to the dorsal fin to improve directional stability."
[Bristol] Beaufighter Mark IC, T5043 V, of No. 272 Squadron RAF in flight over Malta. The Squadron flew from both Luqa and Ta Kali during this period."
"250-lb GP bombs on trolleys are prepared by armourers, prior to loading into Handley Page Hampden Mark I, P1333 'EA-F', of No. 49 Squadron RAF at Scampton, Lincolnshire. P1333 crash-landed near Breda, Netherlands, on returning from a raid on Merseburg, Germany on 17 August 1940. The Hampden parked in the distance, P1347 'EA-D', crashed in Brittany with the loss of all her crew after being hit by anti-aircraft fire over Stettin, Germany, on 4/5 September 1940."
Avro Lancaster B.I (s/n ME590) of No. 101 Squadron RAF, lies on the FIDO (Fog Investigation and Dispersal Operation) pipework at Ludford Magna, Lincolnshire, after a successful crash-landing on returning from a raid to Augsburg on the night of 25/26 February 1944. The aircraft was damaged by anti-aircraft fire, which disabled the hydraulic system and holed the starboard fuel tank, and was also attacked by a Messerschmitt Bf 110 night fighter which set it on fire and wrecked the elevators. In spite of the damage the pilot, R. DIXON, brought ME590 back to Ludford Magna for a belly landing, during which some incendiary bombs which had been hung up in the bomb bay, fell out and caught fire on the runway. The censor has eliminated the large aerial masts above the fuselage which indicated that the aircraft was carrying 'Airborne Cigar' (ABC), a jamming device which disrupted enemy radio telephone channels https://scontent-a-fra.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/10271627_835582576454176_5379389122333606270_n.jpg?oh=6d96653654d52620b5d96e162871898b&oe=54566712
Low oblique aerial view of the Transport Command Delivery Park on the Northeast Apron at Prestwick airport, Ayrshire, showing aircraft marshalled after being flown across the Atlantic. Among the aircraft shown are Consolidated Liberators, Douglas Dakotas, North American Mitchells, and Canadian-built Avro Lancaster B.Xs
Severely damaged De Havilland Mosquito FB.VI (s/n MM401) of No. 464 Squadron RAAF based at Hunsdon, Hertfordshire, parked at Friston Emergency Landing Ground, Sussex. The aircraft, flown by A. G. OXLADE (pilot) and D. M. SHANKS (navigator), was hit by anti-aircraft fire while attacking a flying-bomb site in the Pas de Calais on 21 February 1944. The port engine was shattered, and the port undercarriage and most of the outer starboard wing was blown off. Despite the damage, the crew flew MM401 back and crash-landed safely at Friston ELG. The port engine nacelle is seen here supported by a caterpillar tractor to enable the aircraft to be moved off the runway. The aircraft was initially categorised as repairable (Category , but this was changed to a write-off (Category E) after the full extent of the damage became clear
E. TURNER paints the 65th raid completed symbol onto the nose of Avro Lancaster B.III (s/n ED731) coded "AS*T2" and named "Dante's Daughter" of No. 166 Squadron RAF at Kirmington, Lincolnshire, folowing the aircraft's return from a raid on Berlin on the night of 15/16 February 1944. ED731 started its operational service with No. 103 Squadron RAF in March 1943, being transferred to 166 Squadron in September of that year. It completed more than 70 Sorties before being lost on the last major Bomber Command raid on Berlin on 24/25 March 1944. The artwork acknowledges a DFC awarded to the pilot and three ice creams among the bomb symbols, indicating raids on Italian targets https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/10527857_835592319786535_8206268904873904934_n.jpg?oh=9288c04ddca8d59f6f902ebd7e585309&oe=5451C4AA&__gda__=1413760283_e38ce153c31563c58ba0aadbcb3d7e02
"Ground crew and armourers of No. 85 Squadron RAF refilling ammunition belts with .303 bullets in front of Hawker Hurricane Mark I, 'VY-C', at Lille-Seclin."
"Pilots of No. 615 Squadron RAF gathered together in front of their Gloster Gladiator Mark IIs at Vitry."
"Aircrew of No. 252 Squadron RAF climb into the back of a lorry for the drive to their Headquarters at Idku, Egypt, after a successful strike on an enemy supply train carrying guns and ammunition near Bir Abu Mischeifa. Four Bristol Beaufighters of the Squadron escorted three Bristol Bisleys of No. 15 Squadron SAAF to the target, which was completely destroyed. In the middle of the group sits Wing Commander P H Bragg, Commanding Officer of 252 Squadron, who led the attack, and sitting third from the left is one of his flight commanders, Flight Lieutenant A D Frecker. Behind them is one of the aircraft which participated in the attack, Beaufighter Mark VIC, T5346, with three victory markings on its nose."
Supermarine Spitfires of various marks await delivery at Cazès Airport, Casablanca, Morocco following their assembly and test flights at No. 145 Maintenance Unit."
"Handley Page Halifax Mark II Series1A, JD206 'DY-T' of No. 102 Squadron RAF, about to be towed from its dispersal by a David Brown tractor at Pocklington, Yorkshire. This aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire on 22 June 1943, and ditched off Overflakkee Island, Holland."
, but this was changed to a write-off (Category E) after the full extent of the damage became clear
