G-AGUB, the Hermes II, flew past in the 1947 SBAC displays with both port engines shut down.

BOAC Hermes IV G-ALDI Hannibal at Entebbe.

BOAC's Hermes IV Hero passing The Needles, Isle of Wight.

Hermes IV G-ALDM flew as Hero with BOAC until it was sold to Gatwick-based Air Safaris Ltd in 1956. It was leased to Silver City Airways Ltd until December 1959 and was finally scrapped at Hurn in 1968.

The Hermes II and a Hastings at the 1947 SBAC displays at Radlett.

Skyways Hermes IV G-ALDY at Beirut while serving with Middle East Airlines as OD-ACC.

The Hermes I, with double doors and then-unknown elevator overbalance which resulted in its crashing on its maiden flight on December 2, 1945.

The first Hermes IV landing at Radlett after its first flight, on September 5, 1948.

Britavia’s 58-passenger Hermes IVA G-ALDU. Originally Haley one of BOAC, ’DU passed to Britavia in 1954 and operated for a while as XJ280. During 1956-57 the Hermes was operated by Silver City Airways as City of Gloucester and ended its days at Stansted, where it was scrapped in November 1962.

The first Hermes IV at Beirut while in operation with Airwork.

Another view of G-AKFP, the first Hermes IV.

KEITH WOODCOCK’S painting shows BOAC’s Handley Page Hermes IV Horatius.