Historic Aircraft Operations

Features vintage military aircraft and personnel during World War II, highlighting the struggles and damages faced in aviation history.

Air Ministry Second World War Official Collection Armstrong Whitworth Whitley Bomber

RAF Fighter Command 1940 Hawker Hurricane Mk I P3166 VY-Q, flown by the CO of No. 85 Squadron, Sqn Ldr Peter Townsend, taxiing out at Castle Camps, July 1940.

Air Ministry Second World War Official Collection Armstrong Whitworth Whitley Bomber

Royal Air Force 1939-1945- Coastal Command On 2 August 1943, Hampden torpedo bombers of No 455 Squadron RAAF attacked a convoy off the Norwegian coast. This aircraft (L4105/D) suffered massive flak damage to its tail - half the elevator was blown away, the starboard fin twisted and the port rudder fouled by debris. The crew were forced to lash a rope around the rudder bar and took turns helping the pilot, Flying Officer Iain Masson, hold the aircraft straight as they limped back to Leuchars for a crash-landing.

Royal Air Force- Italy, the Balkans and South-east Europe, 1942-1945. Personnel of No. 92 Squadron RAF struggle to free one of their Supermarine Spitfire Mark VIIIs from the mud on the waterlogged landing ground at Canne, Italy.

Royal Air Force- Italy, the Balkans and South-east Europe, 1942-1945. The damaged tail of Curtiss Kittyhawk Mark IV, FX529, of No. 450 Squadron RAAF, which was flown back to base at Cervia, Italy, by the Squadron Commander, Squadron Leader J C Doyle, after being hit by anti-aircraft fire during a ground attack sortie over the 8th Army Front.

Royal Air Force- Italy, the Balkans and South-east Europe, 1942-1945. Supermarine Spitfire Mark VIII, JF476 'QJ-D', undergoing maintenance on the waterlogged landing ground at Canne, Italy.

Neptune bomber anti-submarine squadron aircraft being checked on Momote airstrip, Manus Island. October 25, 1954.;Neptune bomber anti-submarine squadron aircraft being checked on Momote airstrip, Manus Island.

Royal Air Force- Operations Over Albania and in Greece, 1940-1941. Bristol Blenheim Mark I, L6670 UQ-R, of No. 211 Squadron RAF preparing to taxy at Menidi/Tatoi, Greece

Aircraft of the Royal Air Force 1939-1945- Bristol Type 142m Blenheim I Blenheim Mark Is of No. 84 Squadron RAF, lined up at Shaibah, Iraq.

RAF Bomber Command 1940 Armstrong Whitworth Whitleys of No. 102 Squadron during a press day at Driffield, March 1940.

The flight service and the sick of the Marine Square Valkenburg (MVKV) hold a joint OSR exercise. OSRD stands for investigation and rescue service; The Royal Netherlands Air Force (KLU) known under the name SAR (search and rescue). A Grumman S-2A Tracker can leave for the runway.

Royal Air Force 1939-1945- Fighter Command A Spitfire LF IX of No 313 Squadron undergoing an oil change at Appledram ALG (advanced landing ground), near Tangmere, 19 April 1944. Many fight squadrons were operating from temporary strips in southern England, their pilots and attached servicing echelons getting used to 'roughing it' in the open as preparation for future deployment on the Continent. The three Czech-manned Spitfire squadrons flying escort operations from Appledram at this time (Nos 310, 312 and 313) formed part of No 84 Group, 2nd Tactical Air Force.

RAF Bomber Command 1940 Armstrong Whitworth Whitley Mk Vs of No. 102 Squadron during a press day at Driffield, March 1940. Foreground aircraft is N1379 DY-E.

Royal Air Force 1939-1945- Fighter Command An RAF sergeant introduces two Czech fitters to the inner workings of a No 310 Squadron Hurricane at Duxford, October 1940. Clearly visible in this photograph is the reserve fuel tank immediately in front of the cockpit, which was the cause of terrible cockpit fires if ignited during combat.

No confusion here: A Fairey Firefly (left). October 18, 1949.

Royal Air Force in the Middle East, 1944-1945. A pilot, under training for tactical reconnaissance duties, leaves Supermarine Spitfire PR Mark IV, BR416 'X', of No. 74 Operational Training Unit at Petah Tikva, Palestine, after a training flight. A corporal can be seen removing, through a hatch on the port side, a magazine of exposed film from a Type F.24 camera postioned vertically behind the cockpit. BR416 was a veteran photographic-reconnaissance aircraft having served with both No. 1 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit in the United Kingdom, and also with No. 680 Squadron RAF in the Mediterranean theatre.

Royal Air Force Operations in the Far East, 1941-1945. Groundcrew hand-crank the engines of Hawker Hurricane Mark IIs of No. 67 Squadron RAF at Chittagong, India.

An air-to-air left side view of a Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 121 (VAW-121) E-2C Hawkeye aircraft in flight near Naval Air Station, Fallon, during Carrier Air Wing 7 (CVW-7) strike training. State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Royal Air Force- France, 1939-1940. Bomb-trolleys loaded with 250-lb GP bombs and attendant armourers being towed out by tractor to Fairey Battles at Betheniville prior to a sortie to the bombing practice range at Moronvilliers. Behind them, Battle, K9408 'PM-N', of No. 103 Squadron RAF is prepared for a flight.

Royal Air Force- France, 1939-1940. Hawker Hurricane Mark I, N2358 'Z', of No. 1 Squadron RAF is refuelled while undergoing an engine check at Vassincourt.

Anefo photo collection. Hudson MK III Serienr. V9036 "Tji Amoek", 320 (Dutch) Squadron RAF Coastal Command. Paid collections Dutch East Indies. 1941. Britain, Scotland

Lockheed P-38S Of The 38Th Fighter Squadron, Based At Nuthampstead, England, Warm Up Their Engines Prior To Take Off On A Mission Escorting Bombers Over Enemy Targets. 16 October 1943.

Royal Air Force Operations in the Far East, 1941-1945. Mechanics service the Bristol Hercules engines of a Handley Page Halifax B Mark IIIA of No. 1341 (Radio Countermeasures) Flight at Digri, India.

Royal Air Force 1939-1945- Coastal Command U-boats were not the only threat to the convoys in northern latitudes. A watch had to be kept on the Arctic pack-ice, the extent and composition of which varied depending on the time of year. To this end No 269 Squadron in Iceland flew regular 'ice patrols' over the Denmark Strait between Iceland and Greenland. A Hudson crew prepares to climb aboard their aircraft, May 1942.

Photo collection Service for army contacts Indonesia. Airport. Airplane mechanics are busy with an airplane. 1947. Indonesia, Dutch East Indies

Royal Air Force in the Middle East, 1944-1945. RAF ground crew, assisted by Arab boys, service and refuel a Bristol Beaufighter TF Mark X which landed at No. 44 Staging Post, Sharjah, Trucial States, during a ferry flight to the Far East.

Martlets on the Flight Deck of HMS Formidable(). December 1942()

Royal Air Force Coastal Command, 1939-1945. Ground crew haul Short Sunderland Mark I, P9600 'OQ-T', of No. 10 Squadron RAAF along to the slipway at Mount Batten, Devon, for launching.

Photo collection Service for army contacts Indonesia. DLC Recordings military aviation. A Mitchell B-25 bomber when starting or landing. January 1947. Indonesia, Dutch East Indies

Anefo photo collection. Repatriation center in Eindhoven. Eindhoven airport. A customs officer checks papers. 1945. Eindhoven

Royal Air Force Operations in the Far East, 1941-1945. Aircraftman 2nd Class N Neill, a flight mechanic who joined the RAF straight from school in India, working on port outboard Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp engine of a Consolidated Liberator B Mark VI of No. 99 Squadron RAF, at Dhubalia, India..

American Aircraft in Royal Air Force Service- Curtiss Hawk 81a Tomahawk. The first Curtiss Tomahawks, Marks I and IIA, to enter squadron service with the RAF, in the hands of No. 403 Squadron RCAF at Baginton, Warwickshire. The Squadron operated the Tomahawk for only a short time, yielding them in favour of Supermarine Spitfires in May 1941.

Royal Air Force- Operations in the Middle East and North Africa, 1939-1943. Bristol Beaufighter Mark IC, T4982 'U', of No. 252 Squadron RAF is secured in its flying position by a crane at Idku, Egypt, as armourers prepare the machine guns for an alignment test.

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.

Royal Air Force Flying Training Command, 1940-1945. Bristol Blenheim Mark IV, Z5969 'P3', taxies past other Blenheims and Handley Page Hampdens of No. 5 Air Observers School, in an early January morning at Jurby, Isle of Man.

The Royal Navy during the Second World War A naval Bristol Beaufighter returns from fleet co-operation work to HMS CORMORANT II, Royal Navy Air Station, Gibraltar. The pilot and fitter, who looks after the machine have a conference about the aircraft conditions. The rock of Gibraltar can be seen in the background.

Royal Air Force Fighter Command, 1939-1945. Supermarine Spitfire Mark IXBs of No. 340 (Free French) Squadron RAF taking off in the early morning from Biggin Hill, Kent, for a daylight sweep over France..

Royal Air Force Transport Command, 1943-1945. Avro York C Mark I, MW165 'BP', of No. 246 Squadron RAF being loaded with freight at Luqa, Malta, while staging through to the Far East.

The Royal Air Force in the Second World War Two Avro Ansons and a non-operational Handley Page Heyford at a review, 28 July 1940.

Artwork: "AN FW-190 Back from a Mission" Artist: H. Recksiegel. Country: Unknown

Royal Air Force Operations in the Middle East and North Africa, 1939-1943. Martin Marylands (Mark II, 1637, in the foreground) of No. 24 Squadron SAAF taxying at a landing ground in the Western Desert before taking off on a bombing sortie.

Royal Air Force Operations in the Middle East and North Africa, 1939-1943. A Bristol Blenheim Mark VD of No. 326 Wing RAF, silhouetted against the sun as it undergoes maintenance at Canrobert, Algeria.

Royal Air Force Operations in the Far East, 1941-1945. The fuselage of Supermarine Spitfire Mark VIII, JG199, destined for No. 67 Squadron RAF, awaits loading into a Douglas Dakota of No. 177 Wing RAF for transportation.

Royal Air Force Bomber Command, 1942-1945. De Havilland Mosquito B Mark IVs of No. 105 Squadron RAF taxy to the main runway at Marham, Norfolk, for a night raid on Berlin, Germany.

The Royal Navy during the Second World War The Chance-Vought Corsair. (Frame number JT 104) stationary on the ground at RAF Wittering. This US built aircraft is in service with the Fleet Air Arm.

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.

Royal Air Force Operations in the Middle East and North Africa, 1939-1943. Armourers wheeling two Mark XII aerial torpedoes for loading into a Vickers Wellington Mark IC of No. 38 Squadron RAF at Shallufa, Egypt.

Above: A mock attack by a Westland Lysander plane on A.I.F. men in Palestine, as training for anti-aircraft defence. Left: Australians returning to their quarters after surfing. October 1, 1940.

Bristol Blenheim Mk IVFs of No. 254 Squadron RAF flying from Aldergrove in Northern Ireland, May 1941. Six Blenheim Mark IVFs of No. 254 Squadron RAF, flying in formation over Northern Ireland shortly after the units arrival at Aldergrove, County Antrim.

Royal Air Force- France 1939-1940. An engine tent is erected around the engine of a Bristol Blenheim Mark IV of No. 139 Squadron RAF at Betheniville to protect it from the weather.

Royal Air Force Operations in the Middle East and North Africa, 1939-1943. A Handley Page Halifax A Mark V Series 1 (Special) glider tug of No. 295 Squadron RAF Detachment prepares to tow off an Airspeed Horsa glider at Goubrine II, Tunisia, during preparations for Operation FUSTIAN; the airborne assault and seizure of the Primosole Bridge over the River Simeto, south of Mount Etna on Sicily, by elements of 1st Parachute Brigade on the night of 13/14 July 1943.

A Martin B-26 "Marauder" Of The 386Th Bomb Group Lands At Its Base At St. Trond, Belgium After A Mission On 1 June 1945.

Z.K.H. Prince Bernhard visits the Leeuwarden airbase as an inspector general of the Royal Netherlands Air Force. The prince steps out of a Gloster Meteor with which he seep as a duopassagier for a half-hour shooting exercise above the Vliehorst.

Royal Air Force- Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Air Force, No. 38 Group RAF. A Handley Page Halifax Mark V (foreground), and General Aircraft Hamilcar heavy gliders lined up on the main runway, await the signal to start at Tarrant Rushton, Dorset, before the commencement of an airborne exercise.

Royal Air Force Operations in Malta, Gibraltar and the Mediterranean, 1940-1945. A Hawker Hurricane Mark I of No. 213 Squadron RAF based at Famagusta, banks away from the photographer's aircraft over the mountains of Cyprus. Note the undersurface paint scheme used - with considerable variation - to identify operational RAF fighters in the early years of the Second World War. In this case the aircraft's azure-blue undersurface has been augmented by painting the port wing matt black.

Royal Air Force- Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Air Force, No. 38 Group RAF. Airspeed Horsa gliders lined up at Tarrant Rushton, Dorset, as the airlift for Exercise MUSH commences.

Royal Air Force- Italy, the Balkans and South East Europe, 1942-1945. Vickers Wellington Mark IIIs and Mark Xs of No. 40 Squadron RAF being prepared for a night bombing mission at Foggia Main, Italy. In the foreground is Mark III, DF542 'G-X'.

Royal Air Force Coastal Command, 1939-1945. Bristol Beaufort Mark Is of No. 22 Squadron RAF taxy to their dispersal points at North Coates, Lincolnshire after a mission.

Anefo photo collection. Test exercise of the army on rented terrain, two AMX vehicles for a farm. December 9, 1964

Royal Air Force Bomber Command, 1942-1945. A tractor-drawn train of 4,000-lb Mark I HC bombs ('cookies') pauses on its journey from the bomb-dump at Mildenhall, Suffolk, while groundcrew chalk appropriate messages on them. In the background an Avro Lancaster Mark I, L7540 'OL-U', of No. 83 Squadron RAF's Lancaster Conversion Flight, normally based at Scampton, Lincolnshire, undergoes repairs: the unit code-letters of its previous operators, No. 44 Squadron RAF, are still visible under those of 83 Squadron.

Squadron Leader Dennis Barry (in cockpit) and other pilots of No. 616 Squadron RAF with a Gloster Meteor at Manston, Kent, January 1945. Squadron Leader Dennis Barry, one of No 616's flight commanders, in the cockpit of Meteor EE227/YQ-Y at Manston. The other pilots are, left to right: Pilot Officer I Wilson, Warrant Officer F Packer, Warrant Officer T Woodacre and Flying Officer H Moon.

The Royal Navy during the Second World War A Grumman Avenger of 846 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm being catapulted off HMS TRUMPETER.

Royal Air Force- Italy, the Balkans and South-east Europe, 1942-1945. Aircraft and airframes assembled at a Maintenance Unit at Brindisi, after the end of the Second World War in Europe. These include, in the foreground, North American Harvard training aircraft, destined for the Yugoslav Flying Training School established by the RAF at Zadar.

Royal Air Force- 2nd Tactical Air Force, 1943-1945. The Commanding Officer of No. 486 Squadron RNZAF confers with his some of his pilots in front of their Hawker Tempest Mark Vs at B60/Grimbergen, Belgium. The group consists of, (left to right); Flying Officer N J Powell, Pilot Officer W A L Trott, Flying Officer R J Cammock, Warrant Officer A H Bailey, Pilot Officer S J Short, Flying Officer J H Stafford, Flight Lieutenant H M Sweetman, Squadron Leader J H Iremonger (CO), and Flight Lieutenant E W Tanner.

Photo collection Service for army contacts Indonesia. DLC Aviation day military aviation at Kemajoran airport. Fly show. March 9, 1947. Batavia, Indonesia, Jakarta, Kemajoran, Dutch East Indies

Schneider Trophy Preparations - The machine coming in and Flight-Lieutenant Long being carried ashere by a mechanic. September 23, 1931.

Snow White, a B-24 bomber of the U.S. Army 9th Air Force at a forward bomber base in the Libyan desert. Among its crew, there are four members who flew the ship across the Atlantic and piloted it through thirty-six missions, compiling 300 combat hours in the Middle East, in Tunisia, in 19430101, doing world war Two

Royal Air Force Coastal Command, 1939-1945. Airmen of No. 10 Squadron RAAF attend to an overhaul of a Bristol Pegasus XXII engine on a Short Sunderland Mark I at Pembroke Dock, Pembrokeshire.

Air Ministry Second World War Official Collection

Royal Air Force Operations in the Middle East and North Africa, 1939-1943. Pilots of No. 3 Squadron RAAF study a map on the tailplane of one of their Gloster Gladiators at their landing ground near Sollum, Egypt, before an operation over Bardia during the closing stages of Operation COMPASS. Left to right: Flying Officers J R Perrin J McD Davidson (squatting) W S Arthur P St G Turnbull Flight Lieutenants G H Steege A C Rawlinson Flying Officer V East (unknown) Squadron Leader I D McLachlan (Commanding Officer) Flying Officer A H Boyd

Royal Air Force- Italy, the Balkans and South-east Europe, 1942-1945. Army casualties on stretchers being loaded into a Douglas Dakota of No. 267 Squadron RAF at Catania, Sicily, for evacuation to hospitals in North Africa.

The Royal Navy during the Second World War With flag raised, the Flight Deck Officer signals to the pilot of a Grumman Wildcat of No 881 Squadron Fleet Air Arm that he is cleared to take off from HMS ILLUSTRIOUS in the Indian Ocean.

Photo collection Service for army contacts Indonesia. DLC Aviation day military aviation at Kemajoran airport. Fly show. Two Mustang P51 fighter aircraft. March 9, 1947. Batavia, Indonesia, Jakarta, Kemajoran, Dutch East Indies

Royal Air Force Operations in the Far East, 1941-1945. A Hawker Hurricane Mark IIC of No. 221 Group RAF, loaded with two 250-lb GP bombs, taxying before taking off on a sortie at Palel, Burma.

Land staff from Marineliegkamp Valkenburg inspect the Grumman S-2 tracker in the period 1960-1970 with registration 151.

Vickers Wellington - Egypt - Royal Air Force- Operations in North Africa, 1939-1943.

Royal Air Force Fighter Command, 1939-1945. A section of three Hawker Hurricane Mark Is of No. 257 Squadron RAF, take off from snow-bound Coltishall, Norfolk, led by the Squadron's Commanding Officer, Squadron Leader R R Stanford Tuck, in V6864 'DT-A'.

Personnel of the 96th Evacuation Hospital board an aircraft for the first time airborne movement of a hospital in the European theater. Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)

Royal Air Force Operations in the Middle East and North Africa, 1939-1943. Douglas Boston Mark III, AL740, of No. 114 Squadron RAF is refuelled for a further operation at Canrobert, Algeria.

Royal Air Force Flying Training Command, 1940-1945. Miles Master Mark IIIs of the Empire Central Flying School lining up on the perimeter track at Hullavington, Wiltshire, before taking off on a training flight.

The Royal Navy during the Second World War Bare chested armourers adjusting a Grumman Hellcat's machine guns on board HMS INDOMITABLE, part of the Eastern Fleet.

Royal Air Force- Operations in the Middle East and North Africa, 1940-1943. 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.

Royal Air Force- Italy, the Balkans and South-east Europe, 1942-1945. Supermarine Spitfire Mark IXs of No. 281 Wing RAF are prepared for a sortie at Prkos, Yugoslavia, as the pilots confer before take off.

Royal Air Force Operations in Malta, Gibraltar and the Mediterranean, 1940-1945. Operation DRAGOON: the Allied invasion of southern France. Mechanics servicing Supermarine Spitfire Mark VIII, MT714 'FT-F, of No. 43 Squadron RAF, at Ramatuelle landing ground.

Royal Air Force Fighter Command, 1939-1945. Squadron Leader R R Stanford Tuck, Commanding Officer of No. 257 Squadron RAF, in his Hawker Hurricane Mark I, V6864 'DT-A', prepares to lead a section of Hurricanes to their take-off point, in the snow at Coltishall, Norfolk.

De Havilland Mosquito Mk II of No. 157 Squadron refuelling at Hunsdon, 16 June 1943 Mosquito II of No 157 Squadron refuelling at Hunsdon, 16 June 1943.

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.

RAF Bomber Command 1941 Armstrong Whitworth Whitley Mk III and crew, with YMCA tea car in attendance, 10 January 1941.

Russian made fighter that nevr got away - it was taken by Marines who over ran the field

RAF Fighter Command 1940 Hawker Hurricane P2923 VY-R of No. 85 Squadron, flown by Plt Off Albert G Lewis, at Castle Camps, July 1940.

Royal Air Force Operations in the Middle East and North Africa, 1939-1943. Boeing Fortress Mark I, AN532 'WP-J', of No. 90 Squadron RAF/220 Squadron RAF Detachment on the ground at Shallufa, Egypt. Following the Fortress's unsuccessful period of operations with 90 Squadron in the United Kingdom, four aircraft were detached to the Middle East in November 1941, for night bombing attacks on Benghazi and enemy shipping in the Mediterranean. On 1 December 1941, the Detachment was renamed No. 220 Squadron Detachment and AN532 was returned to the US Army Air Force shortly afterwards.

Royal Air Force Bomber Command, 1942-1945. A Handley Page Hampden Mark I of No. 408 Squadron RCAF, undergoes an engine test in the snow at a dispersal point at Balderton, Nottinghamshire, following maintenance.

The skill and daring of the men of the torpedo squadrons of the Fleet Air Arm during the last war has written a new page of history in the annals of the Royal Navy. No one will forget the gallent efforts made by the "Swordfish" torpedo bombers to sink the "Scharnhorst" and "Gneisnau" ***** they slunk through the Channel under cover of the weather, when Lieut-Commander Eugene Esmonde, was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. It was the torpedo bombers flying off the week of the "Victorious" i

The Royal Air Force during the Second World War The Avro Lancaster B I R5868 'S-Sugar' refuels at RAF Hunsdon after completing its 100th operation the previous evening against Bourg Leopold in Belgium on 12 May 1944. The 2500 gallon tank truck is AEC 854.

Royal Air Force Operations in the Middle East and North Africa, 1939-1943. Local Arabs and their camels pass by Bristol Beaufighter Mark VIF, X8166 'E', raised by its tail while undergoing gun maintenance and harmonisation at Castel Benito, Libya.

Royal Air Force Operations in the Far East, 1941-1945. Hawker Hurricanes, Vultee Vengeances and North American Harvards lined up for flight testing after assembly at No. 1 (India) Maintenance Unit, Drigh Road, India.

The Royal Navy during the Second World War Formation of three Fleet Air Arm Fairey Albacores flying over Malta.

Royal Air Force Bomber Command, 1939-1941. Bristol Blenheim Mark IVs of No. 40 Squadron RAF, lined up ready for a raid at Wyton, Cambridgeshire.

US Army B-17E aircraft, at Hickam Air Field, after landing safely. When the Imperial Japanese Navy attacked Oahu's military installations on 7 December 1941, their planes bombed and strafed Hickam to eliminate air opposition. Hickam suffered extensive damage and aircraft losses, with 189 people killed and 303 wounded.

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