Aviation and Pilots

Photos of military pilots and aircraft from different eras, showcasing cockpit views and notable air force personalities.

Clark Gable serving as an officer in the US Army Air Forces during World War II

Clark Gable serving as an officer in the US Army Air Forces during World War II

Edward C. Gleed, Tuskegee pilot, standing, three-quarter length portrait, African-Americans

A pilot of the 90th Photographic Reconnaissance Wing, seated in the cockpit of his Lockheed F-5 at an air base somewhere in North Africa.

Royal Air Force Fighter Command, 1939-1945. Squadron Leader J G Sanders, poses on Supermarine Spitfire LF Mark IXB, MH819 'Red Rose III', at Squires Gate airport, Blackpool, Lancashire, before flying it to Biggin Hill, Kent, to join No. 485 Squadron RNZAF. The photograph was taken on the occasion of the presentation of three Spitfires ('Red Rose II, III and IV') to the RAF by the Lancashire Constabulary at Squires Gate. Sanders was a noted fighter pilot himself, having shot down 16 enemy aircraft (5 of them at night) between 1939 and 1941.

H.F. Broadbent; J.G. Croudael. January 01, 1931.

Royal Air Force Fighter Command, 1939-1945. Squadron Leader R W Oxspring, Commanding Officer of No. 91 Squadron RAF standing on the wing of his Supermarine Spitfire Mark VC, AB216 DL-Z 'Nigeria Oyo Province', at Hawkinge, Kent. One of the first Spitfire pilots in the RAF, Oxspring fought through the Battle of Britain with No. 66 Squadron RAF. He commanded 91 Squadron from January to July 1942, and, after them, No. 72 Squadron RAF with whom he moved to North Africa. He then joined the Staff at Fighter Comand HQ before assuming command of 322 Squadron RAF in 1944. Oxspring led the Detling Wing until the end of the war, by which time he had destroyed 12 enemy aircraft.

Aircraft, Burma, India &CREWS,PILOT War

A Pilot Of The 94Th Fighter Squadron, 1St Fighter Group, Stands Beside His Lockheed P-38 Lightning At An Air Base Somewhere In Italy.

Control of measuring camera in aircraft J 29 Thin subject: Control of measuring camera in aircraft J 29 The barrel. A flying hood aeronae reads by values, winter time.

12th AAF-Capt. Bruno J. Virgili of 1045 Pleasant St., Oak Park, Illinois, is seen standing beside the famous Lockheed P-38 fighter bomber for which he designed a special bombs rack and manual release, safety device now used on all Lockheed P-38

Detachment 101, an enigmatic Allied intelligence and special operations unit during World War II, played a pivotal role in the Burmese theater. Operating deep in the jungles of Burma, their mission was multi-faceted, encompassing guerrilla warfare, espionage, and sabotage against Japanese forces. Comprising a diverse group of individuals, from OSS agents to indigenous fighters, they effectively disrupted Japanese supply lines, gathered critical intelligence, and supported resistance movements.

Siege Pilot - Beneath the nose of a fighter plane, Alec Guinness stands in flying kit for his starring part as an R.A.F. pilot in 'Malta Story', the film telling the story of the George Cross island in the siega of 1942.'Malta Story' was filmed on the island and at Pinewood Studios, and was planned as the J. Arthur Rank Coronation film. January 12, 1953. (Photo by Reuterphoto).

Royal Air Force Fighter Command, 1939-1945. Squadron Leader R P Beamont, Commanding Offier of No. 609 Squadron RAF, sitting in the cockpit of his Hawker Typhoon Mark IB, R7752 'PR-G', at Manston, Kent.

Lt. Col. Edward O. McComas of 502 E. 12th Street, Winfield, Kansas, qualified about Christmas time as top ace of the fourteenth Air force in China with 14 Japanese planes destroyed in the air and five on the ground, so Maj. Gen. C.L. Chennault gave

The Royal Air Force Film Production Unit during the Second World War Flight Lieutenant G Pullen of the Operational Section, RAF Film Production Unit shown in an action pose in an open cockpit position shortly after the end of the war in 1945.

Royal Air Force Bomber Command, 1939-1941. Wing Commander J F Griffiths, the Commanding Officer of No. 99 Squadron RAF, standing in front of a Vickers Wellington Mark IA, at Newmarket, Cambridgeshire. This photograph was taken on the occasion of the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Griffiths for his determined leadership of the Squadron during an attempted raid on a German convoy in the Schillig Roads, north of Wilhelmshaven on 14 December 1939. Twelve Wellingtons took part, of which three were shot down by enemy anti-aircraft fire and fighters, two collided and one crashed on attempting to land back at Newmarket. John F Griffiths was the first Canadian to be given a permanent commission in the RAF since the First World War.

World War II, U.S. pilot, circa 1940-1946.

A Tuskegee fighter pilot poses with his P-51D Mustang, Ramitelli, Italy, March 1945. Photograph by Toni Frissell.

Lt. B. W. Carr, Union Springs, Ny, Poses Beside His North American P-51 At An Airfield In Ober Olm, Germany. He Is The Highest Scoring Ace Of The 354Th Fighter Group, Having 27 German Planes To His Credit. 17 April 1945.

U.S Army Experiments With Plane Made With Plastic -- Brigadier General F. O. Carroll, chief of the Air Technical Service Command Engineering Division, inspects the first U.S. Army plane to have structural parts made of plastic. The rear fuselage section, tail cone and side panels are made of glass fibre plastic for testing purposes. The Army is conduction experiments to determine whether use of commercial planes and trainers. February 23, 1945. (Photo by U.S Office of War Information Picture).

A Pilot Of The 94Th Fighter Squadron, 1St Fighter Group, Sits In The Cockpit Of His Lockheed P-38 Lightning At An Air Base Somewhere In Italy

C.W.A. Scott famous Airman, Teaching film star Nancy Burne to fly. July 1, 1937. (Photo by Universal Photo).

Breaks Two World Records - Speed flyer Jacqueline Cochran stands in front of the Canadian-built F-86 Sabre jet in which she has broken two World records at Edwards Air Force Base by flying around a 12 pylon course at an average 652.337 miles per hour, the army announced today. She shattered the women's jet speed record of 535 mph held by Mme. Jacqueline Auriol of France, and the all-time jet record for 100½,kilometer course, made by Col.Fred Ascani, U.S. Air force of 635 mph. Jacqueline Cochran poses in front of the Canadian-built F-86 Sabre jet in which she broke two world speed records, shattering the all-time record of 535 mph set by her French rival. May 18, 1953. (Photo by AP Wirephoto)

A pilot of the 90th Photographic Reconnaissance Wing poses on his Lockheed F-5 at an air base somewhere in North Africa.

A member of Naval Air Reserve Patrol Squadron 66 (VP-66) boards a P-3 Orion aircraft for an active duty training mission. Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

Young man assisting a fighter pilot boarding a plane, 1940s

Royal Air Force- 2nd Tactical Air Force, 1943-1945. Instrument fitters install a Type F.24 (14-inch lens) aerial camera into the port oblique position in a North American Mustang Mark IA of No. 35 (Reconnaissance) Wing at Gatwick, Sussex.

Birth of a Bomber- Aircraft Production in Britain, 1942 Pilot Flight Lieutenant Talbot straps onto his thigh the pad which will used to record information about this Halifax bomber during its first test flight at Radlett airfield.

Typical Of The Enlisted Man On The Aaf Liaison Plane Base On Okinawa, Who Fly Tiny Observation Planes Over The Battlelines In The Ryukyus Is S/Sgt. Edward H. Zellar, 4414 North Malden Street, Chicago, Illinois. These G.I. 'Grasshopper-Jockets' Spot Fire

Commonwealth Air Aces of the Second World War Flight Lieutenant Brendan 'Paddy' Finucane DFC, an Irishman who flew with the Royal Air Force, seated in the cockpit of his Supermarine Spitfire at RAF Kenley while serving with No.452 Squadron RAAF.

021206-M-3031H-020. Base: Mcas, Cherry Point State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Detachment 101, an enigmatic Allied intelligence and special operations unit during World War II, played a pivotal role in the Burmese theater. Operating deep in the jungles of Burma, their mission was multi-faceted, encompassing guerrilla warfare, espionage, and sabotage against Japanese forces. Comprising a diverse group of individuals, from OSS agents to indigenous fighters, they effectively disrupted Japanese supply lines, gathered critical intelligence, and supported resistance movements.

Detachment 101, an enigmatic Allied intelligence and special operations unit during World War II, played a pivotal role in the Burmese theater. Operating deep in the jungles of Burma, their mission was multi-faceted, encompassing guerrilla warfare, espionage, and sabotage against Japanese forces. Comprising a diverse group of individuals, from OSS agents to indigenous fighters, they effectively disrupted Japanese supply lines, gathered critical intelligence, and supported resistance movements.

Colonel Cass S. Hough Of Plymouth, Mich., Poses For A Front View Of A Fighter Pilot'S Outfit At His Base At Bovington, England. 21 January 1944.

DN-SN-88-03632. Base: Persian Gulf

PRISON-BOUND NIP-this sadist-eyed Jap, a member of the garrison which murdered some 140 American prisoners of war, heads prisonward in the back seat of a Vultee L-5. He was captured in the fighting on Palawan Island, Philippine Islands.

A Member From The Personal Equipment Office Inspects The Oxygen Equipment Worn By A Pilot Of The 353Rd Fighter Group, Based In England. 27 May 1945.

Medical Student to Attend Daily Mirror Forum In New York. Photographs of Marshall Plan Programs, Exhibits, and Personnel

Maj. (Then Capt.) Theodore J. (Dutch) Vankirk, Navigator Of B-29 'Enola Gay' Which Atom-Bombed Hiroshima, Japanesean. Tinian, Marianas Islands.

Photograph of Commander James Flatley"CDR. James Flatley in his F6F on board the USS YORKTOWN (CVA 10).".

Photo collection Service for army contacts Indonesia. DLC Recordings military aviation. A pilot of a Mitchell B-25 bomber. January 1947. Indonesia, Dutch East Indies

Portrait with s 18 after long flight Portrait of Lieutenant in front of aircraft Fvm 18 aircraft after a 13 h long flight.

Aircraft, Burma, India &CREWS,FIGHTER War

Admiral Richard Evelyn Byrd, carrying a satchel containing a rubber life boat, April 27, 1925. Byrd was an American aviator and polar explorer, who gained fame with his 1926 North Pole flight with Floyd Bennett (BSLOC_2016_10_140)

Lt. Kenneth C. Sparks, Box 3, Blackwell, Oklahoma, At Airbase In New Guinea.

Triple ace Brig. Gen. David Lee 'Tex' Hill served as leader of the American Volunteer Groups 2nd Squadron and commanded the Army Air Corps 75th Fighter Squadron and the 23rd Fighter Group. He was also the Texas Air National Guards first commander.

Lt. Royden L. Lebrecht, pilot of the Consolidated B-24 "SQUAW," famous 9th Air Force bomber being prepared for a trip to the United States.

Detachment 101, an enigmatic Allied intelligence and special operations unit during World War II, played a pivotal role in the Burmese theater. Operating deep in the jungles of Burma, their mission was multi-faceted, encompassing guerrilla warfare, espionage, and sabotage against Japanese forces. Comprising a diverse group of individuals, from OSS agents to indigenous fighters, they effectively disrupted Japanese supply lines, gathered critical intelligence, and supported resistance movements.

Lt. Kunz Of The 367Th Fighter Group, Poses Beside His Lockheed P-38 'Napoleon's Delight' At An Air Base In Belgium. 24 December 1944.

Photograph of Commander James Flatley"CDR. James Flatley in his F6F on board the USS YORKTOWN (CVA 10).".

Photo collection Service for army contacts Indonesia. DLC Recordings military aviation. Sergeant Major KliL with an airplane. January 1947. Indonesia, Dutch East Indies

Airbases in France, Information Tour. Photographs of Marshall Plan Programs, Exhibits, and Personnel

Royal Air Force- 2nd Tactical Air Force, 1943-1945. The successful night-fighting team of Wing Commander J R D 'Bob' Braham (pilot, right) and Flight Lieutenant W J 'Sticks' Gregory (navigator), standing in front of a De Havilland Mosquito at Benson Oxfordshire. Braham was at this time on a supposedly non-operational tour as Wing Commander (Night Operations) at Headquarters, No. 2 Group, Mongewell Park, Wallingford, Berkshire. However he took the opportunity to team up again with Gregory and to fly a number of operational 'Rangers' on Mosquitos borrowed from other squadrons, adding a further 9 victories to his score of 20 enemy aircraft shot down. On 12 May 1944 they were forced to ditch in the North Sea on being hit by anti-aircraft fire after despatching the 29th victim. Following their rescue Braham was 'grounded' until 6 June 1944. He and Gregory are seen here having travelled to Benson (the airfield nearest to HQ 2 Group), for an Air Ministry 'photo call'. They refused to don helm

Detachment 101, an enigmatic Allied intelligence and special operations unit during World War II, played a pivotal role in the Burmese theater. Operating deep in the jungles of Burma, their mission was multi-faceted, encompassing guerrilla warfare, espionage, and sabotage against Japanese forces. Comprising a diverse group of individuals, from OSS agents to indigenous fighters, they effectively disrupted Japanese supply lines, gathered critical intelligence, and supported resistance movements.

A pilot of the 90th Photographic Reconnaissance Wing, steps into the cockpit of his Lockheed F-5 at an air base somewhere in North Africa.

Anefo photo collection. Prince Bernhard visits Big Ferro, Prince Bernhard in helicopter. September 19, 1973

U.S. Thunderjets Arrive at Reims. Photographs of Marshall Plan Programs, Exhibits, and Personnel

Captain P.G. Taylor's Survey Flight to Chile.Laucala Baya Airport, Suva.Captain Taylor receives the mail bag from Bert Henry, Senior postal Clerk of the General Post Office, Suva.Plane about to take off for Apia. March 17, 1951. (Photo by C.L. Cheng).

Pilot Officer H. A. Picard of No. 350 (Belgian) Squadron, on the wing of his Spitfire at Kenley, July 1942. In November 1941 the first Squadron of Belgian volunteers was formed in Fighter Command. One of its pilots was Pilot Officer H. A. Picard, seen here on the wing of his Spitfire at Kenley in July 1942. His aircraft was among a number 'presented' by the Belgian Congo, and bears the name of one of its principal towns.

Corporal George Metcalfe of the Air Training Corps receives instruction in gliding from Flight Lieutenant Whelton during 1944.

Jet Ace Adds To Mig Score -- Major James P. Hagerstrom of Waterloo, Iowe, an F-86 Sabrejet pilot with the 18th fighter bomber wing in Korea, and the 28the jet ace of the Korean war, shot down a MTG-15, Monday, April 13. It was the 11th time that Majour Hagerstorm has scored against the Russian-built jet fighters. He previously shot down five MIGs, shared credit for destroying one and damaged four others. His latest "Kill" came on a day when Sabrejet pilots, patroling MIG Alley, engaged the enemy jet planes in swirling air battles at altitudes ranging from 30,000 to 40,000 feet. Since the first MIG-15 was shot down in November, 1950, far east air forces aircraft have destroyed 661 of the swept-wing enemy jets. Major Hagerstorm's wife lives at 301 W. Houston, Tyler, Texas. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. E.R. Hagerstorm, live at 915 Western Ave, Waterloo. April 14, 1953. (Photo by U.S. Air Force Photo).

After 150 Hours Of Continuous Flying -- Left to Right: Sergt. Roy Hooe, The hero of the sustained flight, Lt. Elwood Quesada, Lt. Harry Helverson, Capt. Ira Eakeb and Maj. Carl Spaatz, commander, members of the crew of the army plane "question mark" as they appeared at the completion of their 150 hours and 40 minutes of sustained flight in the plane. November 1, 1929. (Photo by International Newsreel Photo).

Japanese medical orderlies now assist British prisoners of war in Japan. Pte.George Eames, of Beds. & Herts. Regiment being carried to aircraft transport at Chitose aerodrome, Hokkaido, to be flown to hospital ship at Yokohama where his poisoned leg will be treated. October15, 1945. (Photo by Royal Naval Official Photograph).

Flying Officer P C Ramachandran AFC, of the Indian Air Force, in the cockpit of a Spitfire prior to a test flight in 1942. Flying Officer P C Ramachandran, wearing a flying helmet, smiles from the cockpit of his aircraft, prior to a test flight, somewhere in Britain.

Army Aviator, Aviation

Winston Churchill Hon. Commodore Flies to Inspect Auxiliary Air Force -- Mr. Winston Churchill having his flying helmet adjusted by his pilot. Mr. Winston Churchill, the politician, flew to Kenley Royal Air Force station, Surrey, to carry out an inspection of the auxiliary air force, of which he was recently appointed Honorary commodore. There have lately been suggestions that Mr. Churchill should be brought back into the Ministry, during the early stages of the Great War he was First Lord of the Admiralty. In 1917 he was Minister of Munitions and from 1918-21 held the important posts of Minister for War and Air. August 16, 1939.

A Pilot Of The 94Th Fighter Squadron, 1St Fighter Group Poses On His Lockheed P-38 Lightning At An Air Base Somewhere In Italy. September 21 1945.

Two women operating artillery

Rumanian Foreign Minister Flies In British Bomber -- M. Gafencu wearing the flying kit of an officer of the British Air Force.M. Gafencu, Rumanian Foreign Minister now visiting London, inspected the Royal Air Force Flying field at Hornchurch this morning, and made a flight in a Blenheim bomber. April 26, 1939. (Photo by Keystone).

Photo collection Service for army contacts Indonesia. DLC Discussions with the TNI in Tasikmalaya and Padang. Pursuant to the Agreement between the Republic and the NED.Inde Government, the meeting points to the "of Mook" line discussions were held between Dutch and Republican military delegations. Tasik the discussions were held in a "Welfare" building on the outskirts of the city. At the end of the conference, the leader of the Republican delegation flew. HIDAJAT with a Auster fly to Bandoeng for further discussions. Director of the aircraft is the LT kite of the LSK-Ponte from Den Bosch .. January 1948. Indonesia, Dutch East Indies

Lt. W.T. Weaver In The Cockpit Of His Republic P-47 "My Best Bett" Of The 351St Fighter Squadron, 353Rd Fighter Group, Somewhere In England.

1940S Smiling Army Air Corps Pilot In Open Cockpit Wearing A Leather Flying Helmet Giving A Thumbs-Up Sign

The Crew Chief Helps His Pilot Of The 94Th Fs, 1St Fg, Take Off His Parachute After Returning To His Base In Italy From A Mission Over Enemy Territory.

T/Sgt. Lawrence Cutheil, Lower Salem, Ohio, stops his work long enough to have his picture taken atop one of the mighty engines of "Son of Satan."

Royal Air Force 1939-1945- Fighter Command Flight Lieutenant Raymond 'Cheval' Lallemant's reputation as an admirer of all things equestrian was reflected in this shot set up in front of a Typhoon at Martragny (B-7) on 30 July 1944. The 24 year old Belgian was a flight commander with No 198 Squadron at this time, and was soon to command No 609. Badly burned in a crash in August, 'Cheval' did not return to operations until March 1945.

A portrait by Cecil Beaton of the pilot and co-pilot of a Wellington bomber of No. 149 Squadron in 1941. A portrait of the pilot and co-pilot in the cockpit of their No. 149 Squadron Wellington bomber, probably at RAF Mildenhall in 1941. The pilot is David Donaldson, who was promoted to Wing Commander in 1943 at the age of 28.

Anefo photo collection. Sniffing with the Air Force. The 250th flight how radioactivity is in the air. September 18, 1963

Aussie Veterans Prepare For Royal Review -- Group Captain Brian Eaton, D.S.O., D.F.C., gives last-minute briefing to his deputy, Squadron leader John (Boy) Adams (In cockpit) before taking off for a rehearsal flight to-day at Horsham St. Faith . Eaton is from Melbourne, and at 35 is the youngest group Captain in the R.A.A.F. Adams, who holds the D.F.C., and A.F.C., is also from Melbourne. Led by last war and Korea veteran group Captain B.A. Eaton, 78 fighter wing of the Royal Australian Air forc

A pilot of the 90th Photographic Reconnaissance Wing, beside his Lockheed F-5 at an air base somewhere in North Africa.

Lt. Robert S. Johnson, Lawton, Okla. (Left); Capt. Walker M. Mahurin, Fort Wayne, Ind. (Right), And A Crew Member Pose Beside A Republic P-47 At An Air Base In England. Col Hub Zempke Center.

Col. Benjamin O. Davis presenting War Bond for best kept A/C, Left to right: Crew chief Marcellus G. Smith, Louisville, KY, 100th F.S.; James A. Walker, Manning, SC, 43-E; unknown airman; George S. "Spanky" Roberts, Ramitelli, Italy, photograph by Toni Frissell, March 1945

FRANCE-Out-dated training planes like this Morane Saulnier 863 are maintained in best possible flying condition to aid the "comeback" of French pilots who might have fears of having lost their skill through lack of practice. The bearded and robed

Detachment 101, an enigmatic Allied intelligence and special operations unit during World War II, played a pivotal role in the Burmese theater. Operating deep in the jungles of Burma, their mission was multi-faceted, encompassing guerrilla warfare, espionage, and sabotage against Japanese forces. Comprising a diverse group of individuals, from OSS agents to indigenous fighters, they effectively disrupted Japanese supply lines, gathered critical intelligence, and supported resistance movements.

Anefo photo collection. Elder record Major J. L. Flinterman, Flinterman gets out of machine. August 15, 1949

Helicopter - Report from Europe. Photographs of Marshall Plan Programs, Exhibits, and Personnel

Photo collection Service for army contacts Indonesia. DLC Arrival General S.H. Track on Kemajoran (24 August 1946). Army photographer. August 24, 1946. Indonesia, Kemajoran, Dutch East Indies

The Royal Navy during the Second World War A close up of a group of pilots and observers in conference before taking off from HMS FORMIDABLE.

Mr. Anthony Eden minister of parliament, is ***** his flying kit before leading six no ***** night fighters of no. 500 (country of Kent) Auxiliary *****. August 28, 1947. (Photo by The Associated Press Ltd.)

Anefo photo collection. KLM instruction department. January 2, 1946. Noord-Holland, Schiphol

Stalin's Son Commands Air Parade -- Maj. Gen. Vassily Stalin, son of Russia's Prime Minister Josef Stalin, sits at controls of his plane in command of the air section of Soviet May Day parade in Moscow's Red Square. This picture of young Stalin, in his late twenties, was published in a recent issue of Ogonek, Soviet picture magazine. It is one of the first pictures of Stalin's son printed in the Russian press. May 20, 1948. (Photo by AP Wirephoto).

Portrait of an American YB-17 bomber pilot, May 1942

Coast Guard Photog on Duty in North Atlantic. Coast Guardsman Walter D. Verizzo, Photographer's Mate, First Class, of 333 East 85th Street, New York, N. Y., is pictured just after giving his darkroom a fresh coast of paint somewhere in the North Atlantic. Verizzo is photographing Coast Guardsmen at battle stations in the far north.

Navy Fighter Pilots Aboard a British Aircraft Carrier. 4 January 1943, Aboard HMS Formidable. Sub-lieutenant I Melville, RNVR, from Glasgow.

White Star For Invasion Cars.British army vehicles have the new insignia painted on before leaving the workshops for their invasion stations.All vehicles in the allied armies of liberation carry a white star both on the side and the top to facilitate recognition both from the air and by land troops. July 24, 1944. (Photo by British Official Photograph).

Lt. Colonel Reeves Of The 410Th Bomb Group, Poses Beside The Douglas A-20 'Mama Lou' At A 9Th Air Force Base In England. 26 May 1944.

A Pilot Of The 94Th Fighter Squadron, 1St Fighter Group, Stands Beside His Lockheed P-38 Lightning At An Air Base Somewhere In Italy.

12/31/1941. Japanese sailor in action aboard a warship during the Naval Battle of the Solomon Islands.

Pegoud

Colonel Benjamin O. Davis, and Edward C. Gleed, air base, by Toni Frissell, Ramitelli, Italy, March 1945.

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