Republic Thunderbolts served with the RAF exclusively in South East Asia Command, beginning to replace Hurricanes in the fighter-bomber role in May 1944 with 135 Sqn, the first of 16 squadrons to receive the type. The last to re-equip, with Spitfires, was No 60 in December 1946. In all, the RAF received 826 Thunderbolts.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Republic P-47 Thunderbolt - СШАUSA - 1941

The first operational Griffon-engined Spitfire was the Mk XII, but only 100 production models were built. The Griffon plus clipped wings improved low-level performance against Fw 190s, which were making daylight attacks along England’s South Coast when Spitfire XIIs were introduced in Nos 41 and 91 Sqns in 1943, serving until Mk XIVs replaced them in mid-1944.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IV / Mk.XII / XIV - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1941

The last of the RAF’s biplane fighters was the Gloster Gladiator, the first going to 72 Squadron at Tangmere in February 1937. This camouflaged example, K7974, was shipped to Egypt aboard HMS Argus in May 1939 to form 112 Sqn and was photographed at Helwan in October 1939. Fourteen months later, it was damaged beyond repair in a take-off accident.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Gloster Gladiator - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1934

A derivative of the Hawker Hart, the Hardy was used on general purpose duties in the Middle East, entering service with No 30 Squadron at Mosul, Northern Iraq, in April 1935, replacing Westland Wapitis. The type remained in service until replaced by Westland Lysanders early in 1940; K4051 was struck off charge in February that year.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Hawker Hardy - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1934

No 23 Sqn at Kenley was the second unit to replace its Gloster Grebes with Gamecocks, and kept the latter long after other squadrons had re-equipped; 23’s Gamecocks, shown here in 1927, were finally replaced in July 1931 by Bristol Bulldogs.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Gloster Gamecock - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1925