A press day at Long Beach, California, featuring “one of everything” being built for the RAF in southern California. From left, we see the rear half of a Douglas Boston; a Consolidated Liberator; a Lockheed Ventura and a North American Mitchell.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Consolidated B-24 Liberator - СШАUSA - 1939Douglas A-20 Boston / Havoc / P-70 Nighthawk - СШАUSA - 1938Lockheed B-34 Lexington / PV Ventura / PV-2 Harpoon - СШАUSA - 1941North American B-25 Mitchell / PBJ-1 - СШАUSA - 1940

Addams at the controls of a Douglas Boston over Los Angeles.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas A-20 Boston / Havoc / P-70 Nighthawk - СШАUSA - 1938

The North American Harvard was one of the many types tested in California by British test pilot James Addams.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: North American T-6 Texan / AT-6 Harvard - СШАUSA - 1935

Standing beside the first Harvard I, N7000, at Inglewood, California, are, from left to right: H.C. Luttman, AID Inspector-in-Charge; Addams; J.H. “Dutch” Kindelberger, President, North American Aviation (NAA); J.L. Atwood, Vice-President, NAA; E.R. Breech, Chairman, NAA and H.C.B. Thomas, British Resident Technical Officer.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: North American T-6 Texan / AT-6 Harvard - СШАUSA - 1935

Lockheed Lightning I AF105 was one of only three examples, all without turbosuperchargers, sent to the UK in March 1942. Addams had already flown the type with turbos in the USA by that time, and had made recommendations that the control yoke be changed

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed P-38 Lightning - СШАUSA - 1939

Addams (far right) discusses the Vanguard with Vultee executives, including sales manager Hugh Fenwick (middle), at the manufacturer’s plant at Downey, California, around the time Addams test-flew the type in December 1940. The flight resulted in a glowing Los Angeles Times report on the type - and pilot - the following month.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Vultee P-66 Vanguard - СШАUSA - 1939

Our man clambers aboard Vultee Vanguard BW209 in California in 1941.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Vultee P-66 Vanguard - СШАUSA - 1939

Following his three-and-a-half-year stint with the A&AEE, in 1932 Addams was posted to India with his family to join No 31 Sqn. The unit was then operating Westland Wapitis, including J9725 seen here, from its base at Quetta, on Army co-operation duties over the North-West Frontier.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Westland Wapiti - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1927

The first of the RAF’s Lockheed Hudson Is, N7205, is seen here with the type’s designer, Kelly Johnson, and Addams posing beside it at Burbank in December 1938. The RAF Hudsons were to be fitted with a Boulton Paul dorsal turret after the aircraft’s delivery to the UK, so a rather crude mock-up was fitted for various air tests.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed Hudson A-28 / A-29 - СШАUSA - 1938

Addams leads the A&AEE’s formation aerobatics team of three smoke-equipped Gloster Grebes, the other two being flown by fellow Flt Lts D.M. Fleming and C.B. Wincott, at Hendon in June 1931.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Gloster Grebe - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1923