The armament of the Douglas Havoc II was increased to 12 guns in the nose, and the type saw service with No 85 Squadron RAF at Hunsdon and West Mailing. Martin Baker were responsible for the design work and Heston Aircraft carried out the modifications.

Mosquito II (IV ???) DZ441 was one of six converted at Heston to carry a 35mm cine camera to record the D-day landings. Note how the invasion stripes cover the bottom of the serial and are painted only on the lower fuselage.

The “Highball”-carrying Mosquito, showing the much-modified bomb bay fitted with generator and electric drive.

Although not a product of the Experimental Shop, Spitfire IX EN123 is of interest, as it was the last Spitfire built by Heston Aircraft, and is seen here being ferried out by R. H. Henderson, MBE of the ATA in March 1946.

Close-ups of the RATOG installation on Seafires, the aircraft on the left being MB307. The four rockets produced power equal to three Merlins and weighed less than 250lb.

A Heston-modified Seafire demonstrates its snappy RATOG-assisted takeoff.

The Heston-built Boulton Paul P.92/2 was a half-scale research aircraft for the unbuilt P.92 cupola-equipped fighter.

RATOG again, this time on Fairey Barracuda P9791, also bristling with radar antennae.

Consolidated Liberator VII (C-87) EW615 was converted for long-range VIP passenger flights and differed from bomber versions in having a faired nose and tail and windows each side of the fuselage.

Fairchild Argus HM181, photographed in September 1942, flew Heston’s Works Superintendent to supervise gas injection modifications to Mosquitos.

Sea Hornet PX239 was a prototype of the two-seat NF 21.

The Youngman-Baynes high-lift aircraft VT789 first flew on February 5, 1948, and joined the civil register as G-AMBL in May 1950.

The Youngman-Baynes high-lift aircraft VT789 first flew on February 5, 1948, and joined the civil register as G-AMBL in May 1950.

Built to Specification A.2/45, the J.C.6 air observation post was the last aircraft to be wholly designed and built by Heston Aircraft.