Aeroplane Monthly 1992-07
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I.Martin - In at the deep end
4 FTS Airspeed Oxford P1945 en route from Habbaniya on a pattern-bombing raid. The eight 20lb bombs may be seen clearly in the wing centre section. This Oxford was struck off RAF charge in June 1941.
This aerial view of RAF Habbaniya shows how Audaxes and Gladiators were tucked in by the trees in order to hide them from the guns on the plateau at the top of the picture. Two of these aircraft are burning, having been strafed by Iraqi Audaxes.
A 70 Sqn Wellington goes up in smoke, hit by Iraqi gunfire on the plateau adjacent to Habbaniya airfield. The Wellington had forced-landed and was being retrieved by a tractor, covered by two armoured cars, when it was hit. The rescue crew was next to the Wellington's tail when its bombs exploded.
Hawker Audaxes of 208 Squadron in 1935, probably at RAF Heliopolis in Egypt.