The star of the static park at RAF Benson’s open day on July 15, 1989 was resident Messerschmitt Bf 109G-2 10639, which is still the subject of a disagreement between its owners the MoD - who have stated that the aircraft will go to Duxford Airfield on completion - and the restoration team, led by Russ Snadden, who want to maintain and operate it themselves at Benson. Snadden would be delighted to receive any offers of support for his scheme.

Grumman F6F-5 N100TF having its hydraulics sorted out at Chino during July 1989. The aircraft has been acquired by the Duxford-based Fighter Collection, and, says Stephen Grey, should be in the UK by Christmas.

Swiss Junkers Ju 52 HB-HOP up from Duxford on July 30, 1989 during its recent pleasure-flying visit to the UK.

Supermarine Spitfire IX MK805 was scheduled to go to the Italian Air Force Museum at Vigna di Valle during September 1989 for static display. Following a long-term restoration by the Italian Air Force at Lecce, it has been in the hands of the Rome-based Gruppo Amici Velivoli Storici since January for finishing work.

Currently being restored to static display condition at Kiev in the USSR is this Tupolev R-6 bomber.

Roger Reeves’s yellow Bucker Jungmeister G-BUKK outside Skysport Engineering’s hangar near Sandy, Bedfordshire on August 21, 1989 after an overhaul. Sky sport’s newly-acquired Miles Falcon Major G-AEEG is just visible in the hangar.

Seen under preparation for static display at Duxford is the UK's latest Spitfire arrival, F.24 VN485 from the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force at Kai Tak.

Former Jean Batten Percival Gull Six G-ADPR is near­ing completion at Old Warden, following a rebuild by Hunting Engineering Ltd at Ampthill.

Sunderland G-BJHS performing a low pass along Gatwick Airport's runway in the hands of Ken Emmott. The former BOAC Hythe pilot reports that he subsequently received a mock bill for £21,650, comprising £20,000 to cover repairing the groove in the runway, £1,500 for medical attention to those watching, and £150 for laundering spectators’ trousers.

G-BJHS with the Ryanair logo painted out in white emulsion at Hythe on August 25, 1989.

A new shape on this year’s American airshow circuit is Art Vance’s Yugoslavian Government Factories Soko 522 NX121DV. The late-Fifties two-seat trainer, seen here in full Yugoslavian Air Force colours and with Vance at the controls, was photographed by MICHAEL O’LEARY.

A glimpse inside the Shuttleworth Collection’s newly-established store at Old Warden: ANEC II G-EBJO awaits the attention of the restorer.

The burnt-out remains of Ralph Hubbard’s D.H.60 Moth in a field belonging to East Stratton Farm near Popham on August 8.1989.