Over a crowd reminiscent of R.A.F. Display days - A.A.F. Blenheims taking-off at Hendon.
It is May 1939, and three 601 Sqn Blenheims are taking off from RAF Hendon at an Empire Air Day. Four months later they would be doing the same exercise for real.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Bristol Blenheim - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1936

One is so used to seeing Mustangs in USAAF markings that one tends to forget that the type was designed from the onset for RAF service - it was only later that it was adopted by the USAAF. MICHAEL O'LEARY'S plate shows a Mustang resplendent in RAF colours.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: North American P-51 Mustang - СШАUSA - 1940

Spitfire Is of 19 Sqn at RAF Duxford in May 1939. This unit was the first to equip with the Spitfire and, when war was declared in September 1939, nine Spitfire squadrons were operational in RAF Fighter Command.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Supermarine Spitfire - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1936

The photograph was taken at Brooklands in July 1939. The basketweave geodetic construction had already been used in the Wellesley and it allowed the Wellington, seen here, to absorb a great deal of punishment.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Vickers Wellington / Type 271 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1936

An impressive line-up of 48 Sqn’s Ansons at Manston in October 1936. At the outbreak of war 12 squadrons were equipped with Ansons, though the type was being replaced by Hudsons.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Avro Anson / Type 652 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1935