The Daimler-Benz DB 605A engine of RAF Benson’s Messerschmitt Bf 109G-2 10639 roars into life at 1645hr on July 8, 1990. Restorer Russ Snadden reports that “It ran faultlessly on the initial runs, a tribute to the craftsmanship of Roger Slade of Rolls-Royce Bristol and his colleagues who rebuilt the unit. The quality of the original engineering is also evident, as it has not run since 1945!” Slade is seen here in the cockpit, with Russ Snadden on the wing and Graeme Snadden behind the wingtip at right. The remaining work on the airframe should be completed during August, and it is hoped that the problems concerning the fighter's future base and flying career will soon be resolved.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Messerschmitt Bf.109G - ГерманияGermany - 1942

The wreckage of Royal Navy Historic Flight Sea Fury T.20 WG655 partially wrapped around an oak tree on July 14, 1990. Built in 1951, the two-seat trainer was presented to the Navy by West Germany in 1976.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Hawker Fury / Sea Fury - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1944

Carolyn Grace settles into the cockpit of her two-seat Spitfire Tr.9 G-LFIX/ML407 in preparation for her first solo in the aircraft.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Supermarine Spitfire Trainer - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1942

Carolyn Grace in her two-seat Spitfire Tr.9 G-LFIX/ML407 she is seen taking off at White Waltham on July 17, 1990. She had had less than 5hr dual tuition in ML407, which was superbly re-built by her late husband Nick Grace in 1979-85. Carolyn has donated six pleasure-flights in the Spitfire to Phillips's Battle of Britain Auction, to be held in aid of the RAF Benevolent Fund's Reach for the sky fundraising appeal at Bentley Priory on September 13.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Supermarine Spitfire Trainer - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1942

The Strathallan Collection continues to fade away: in early July 1990, two weeks after this picture of Avro Shackleton VP293 was taken, both the Shack and D.H.104 Comet XK655 were scrapped. As G-AMXA, the Comet was to have been BOAC's first Comet 2. Extensively modified (but still retaining its square windows), it went to RAF Signals Command as a Mk 2R. The Shackleton was the last remaining Mk 1/T.4, delivered to the RAF in 1951. Strathallan's Vampire XD403 and Fokker Instructor G-BEPV have gone to collectors at Errol and Norwich respectively, leaving just the Swordfish, Lysander and Magister stored on collection founder Sir Willie Roberts's estate.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Avro Shackleton / Type 696 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1949

Warbirds of Great Britain's recently-reassembled Supermarine Spitfire XVIIIE SM969/G-BRAF at Biggin Hill on July 20, 1990. The aircraft was flown during the following week. In the background is WoGB Vought F4U-5N Corsair N179NP.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Supermarine Spitfire FR.XIV / FR.XVIII / PR.XIX - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1943