A newcomer at this year’s Confederate Air Force (CAF) show at Midland, Texas, on October 9-10, 1993 was Grumman F8F-2 Bearcat 122674/N7825C, restored by the CAF's South California Wing at Camarillo under the auspices of Lefty Gardner. Completed just two weeks before this picture was taken, the aircraft had yet to have its paint scheme completed.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Grumman F8F Bearcat - СШАUSA - 1944

These remarkable pictures of the metal-fatigue-induced Impala crash at Lanseria Airshow in South Africa on October 2, 1993 are from a sequence shot by Aeroplane contributor HERMAN POTGIETER. Left, the jet trainer descends, its starboard wing detached. Right, the fuselage, now minus both wings, just before impact. One of the wing panels is just above it.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Aermacchi MB.326 - ИталияItaly - 1957

The ensuing explosion behind buildings adjacent to the airfield. The pilot ejected, but his parachute failed to open in time and he did not survive; no-one on the ground was hurt.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Aermacchi MB.326 - ИталияItaly - 1957

Nearing the end of a long restoration, the sole surviving 1940s Northrop N9M flying wing returned from workshops in Los Angeles to the Air Museum at Chino, California in October 1993 for final assembly and taxying tests.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Northrop N-9M - СШАUSA - 1942

Talking of soil, the picture shows the aircraft about to be extricated after sinking into the airfield.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: МиГ МиГ-15УТИ - РоссияRussia - 1949

Daylight appears under the nosewheel of the MiG during a fast taxying run at Shoreham on November 18, 1993, the day before its first flight from British soil.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: МиГ МиГ-15УТИ - РоссияRussia - 1949

Retaining its original well-worn paint scheme - and its armament - MiG-15 (LiM-2) 6247 exudes Cold War menace.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: МиГ МиГ-15УТИ - РоссияRussia - 1949

Not a collection of hammocks on the gundeck of HMS Victory, but a set of paratrooping seats and equipment newly installed in the tailboom of sole surviving Blackburn Beverley XB259 at the Museum of Army Transport. The items were released by the RAF Museum from its Cardington storage centre along with a pilot’s seat and other equipment.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Blackburn Beverley / B-101 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1950

Maurice and Peter Bayliss’s Supermarine Spitfire Tr.9 MJ627/G-BMSB in the hands of Paul Day at Coventry Airport on November 8, 1993, on its first flight for more than 30 years. It flew again briefly a few days later. Registered to the current owners in 1978, the aircraft has been quietly undergoing long-term refurbishment at Kenilworth and Coventry. It was originally built as a single-seat LF.IX in 1943, and flew with 441 Sqn in 1944-45. After the war Vickers converted it into a two-seat trainer for the Irish Air Corps.

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

Newly-restored Mitsubishi Ki-46 Dinah 8484M is now on static display at Cosford. It is accompanied by Kawasaki Ki-100 8476M, the tail of which is just visible at right, and a Nakajima Sakae radial engine.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Mitsubishi Ki.46 Dinah - ЯпонияJapan - 1939

Lufthansa’s newly-restored Messerschmitt Bf 108B Taifun D-EBEI.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Messerschmitt Bf.108 Taifun - ГерманияGermany - 1934

Another “new kid” was North American B-25J 44-29869/N3156G Miss Mitchell. Following a painstaking 13-year restoration by the CAF South Minnesota Wing at Saint Paul, the Mitchell first flew on April 13, 1993, and is due to have a fully-restored Bendix upper turret installed this winter.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: North American B-25J Mitchell / PBJ-1G - СШАUSA - 1943

Tragedy struck the Kent flying community on the morning of November 15, 1993 when Biggin Hill-based, Auster J/1N G-APOA The Goldhawk Auster crashed, killing 18yr-old pilot Ben Harris and his 17yr-old passenger Gary Abdee. Owned by Ben’s father Colin and painted in the distinctive colours of his business, Goldhawk Print Services of Croydon, the aircraft came down at Chelsfield, five miles north-east of Biggin, about 5min after taking off on a local flight. An investigation is under way.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Auster J/1 - J/5 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1945