Right, what a sight. One of the Il-2s in Jim Pearce’s hangar on July 15, 1988, with a new-build wooden rear fuselage and part-restored canopy. Left, an original undercarriage unit, with corroded wheelhub but good tyre. Below, a few remnants of equipment survive in the cockpits.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-2М - РоссияRussia - 1942

Jim Pearce with two centre fuselages (built of 4-5mm steel and looking more like steam loco boilers than aeroplanes), complete with wing centre-sections. A third, restored, centre-section is in the background.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-2М - РоссияRussia - 1942

Right, 8mm steel cockpit armour with inches-thick armoured glazing. Below, a heap of undercarriage spares with one of seven AM-38 engines behind. Right, a wing, with Red Star marking still visible, nestles behind a stack of tail and control surfaces.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-2М - РоссияRussia - 1942

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Ильюшин Ил-2М - РоссияRussia - 1942

A new addition to Louisiana’s Vintage Wings is Douglas DC-3C N33VW, photographed over the Gulf of Mexico during April 1996. This aircraft had been obtained from Richard Branson’s ill-fated Florida DC-3 pleasure-flying operation. The aircraft had been sitting idle for a couple of years before being acquired by Vintage Wings. Seen here after emerging from the polish and paint shop, the Gooney Bird still retains its pristine Virgin interior.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas DC-3 / C-47 Skytrain/С-53 Skytrooper / Dakota - СШАUSA - 1935

Airco D.H.2 replica G-BFVH was rolled out at Withybush airfield, Haverfordwest, on June 27, 1998. Fabrication work carried out by Walt and Della Prettyman from the USA involved 1,000 hours of work spread over only 79 days. Owned by Maurice Kirk, a veterinary surgeon from Barry, the pusher fighter should make its first aerial appearances later this year. It is painted in the colours of 24 Squadron RFC.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: De Havilland D.H.2 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1915

Last seen in Aeroplane with its fuselage under repair after the devastation wrought by years in the open, the Canadian Museum of Flight’s de Havilland Vampire at Langley, British Columbia, has now been refurbished to static display standard. It wears the colourful nose decor - a traditional West Coast Indian Motif - of its former City of Vancouver RCAF Auxiliary Squadron.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: De Havilland Vampire / D.H.100 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1943

Buchon C4K-107/G-BOML takes off for its first show in five years.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Hispano HA-1109/HA-1112 Buchon - ИспанияSpain - 1945

Fighter Collection P-40M G-KITT made its debut in its new 1943 “Bengal Tiger” colours of the 11th FS, 343rd FG.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Curtiss P-40D Kittyhawk / Warhawk - СШАUSA - 1941

By coincidence another Australian Spitfire project, seen under construction in Toowoomba by Ross Campbell, has been positively identified as LZ842. Its original RAF 232 Sqn codes EF-D have just been re-applied.

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

Barry Coran’s Spitfire reconstruction is now complete and on display at the RAAF Museum, Point Cook. It carries the spurious serial “R6915" but after research by Peter Arnold a provisional true identity can be declared. The operational records of 79 Sqn RAAF show that a total of five Spitfires were written off or reduced to components whilst this lone island-hopping unit was based on Kiriwina. Of the three Spitfires recovered from Kiriwina in 1974, two are identified as EF545 and JG891. A third, being Westland-built (Coran’s is from Castle Bromwich) can be eliminated, and one was in theory allocated elsewhere - so LZ844/A58-123, a Mk V, appears, short of eyewitness reports or decisive documentation, to be the identity.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Supermarine Spitfire Mk.V - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1941

The Confederate Air Force’s A6M2-21. It is currently at Camarillo with the CAF’s Southern California Wing, whose volunteers are trying to rectify the many mistakes made during the initial restoration in Canada.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Mitsubishi A6M Reisen - ЯпонияJapan - 1939

Sea Harrier FRS.1 under restoration at BAe Dunsfold.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: BAe Sea Harrier - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1978

The new Visitor Centre houses the museum’s Bleriot XI.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Bleriot Bleriot-XI - ФранцияFrance - 1909

MIKE VINES of Photo Link was on hand with his camera at Old Warden on May 16, 1998 for the first Sunset Flying Display of the season. S.E.5a G-EBIA;

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: RAF S.E.5 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1916

Former Lightning pilots (left to right) Brian Carroll, John Spencer, Jimmy Dell, Dennis Brooks and Keith Hartley celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Lightning Preservation Group.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: English Electric / BAC Lightning - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1957

MIKE VINES of Photo Link was on hand with his camera at Old Warden on May 16, 1998 for the first Sunset Flying Display of the season. Parnall Elf G-AAIN;

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Parnall Elf - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1929

Thanks to the foresight of the Swordfish Heritage Trust and BAe, the Harrier's forerunner, P.1127 development airframe XP984, has been preserved at BAe Dunsfold. This aircraft, which first flew in 1963, has been restored to superb static condition, and is now displayed at Dunsfold’s gate as a tribute to all of those involved in the development of the Harrier. Its nose markings commemorate the significance of the role played by the late Bill Bedford, Hawker Siddeley Aviation’s former chief test pilot.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Hawker P.1127 Kestrel - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1960

MIKE VINES of Photo Link was on hand with his camera at Old Warden on May 16, 1998 for the first Sunset Flying Display of the season. Gladiator G-AMRK;

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

The fire-damaged remains of Curtiss-Wright CW-22 B2-205 of the Museo Aeronautico Montevideo, Uruguay, are to be rebuilt, along with the museum itself.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Curtiss-Wright CW-22 Falcon II - СШАUSA - 1940

RAAF Museum Walrus HD874 progresses at Point Cook, with the first trial fitting of the pusher engine pod. The Shagbat may possibly be painted in the orange-yellow scheme it wore when serving on Antarctic research.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Supermarine Walrus/Seagull V - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1933

MIKE VINES of Photo Link was on hand with his camera at Old Warden on May 16, 1998 for the first Sunset Flying Display of the season. Sea Hurricane Z7015/G-BKTH;

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Hawker Sea Hurricane - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1941

MIKE VINES of Photo Link was on hand with his camera at Old Warden on May 16, 1998 for the first Sunset Flying Display of the season. Avro Tutor K3215/G-AHSA.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Avro Tutor/Sea Tutor/Prefect / Type 621/646/626 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1929

Barry Markham’s Tiger Moth VH-NOV at Cambridge on June 24, 1998, with civil registration painted over its RAAF markings A17-757 to comply with international regulations.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: De Havilland Tiger Moth / D.H.82 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1931

Carole and Barry Markham enjoying champagne provided by Marshall’s.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: De Havilland Tiger Moth / D.H.82 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1931

Tiger Moth G-BJZF's two crew escaped unhurt after it cartwheeled at Headcorn on June 28, 1998. The photo was taken by Andrew Smith, who tells Aeroplane: “as the hapless passenger, I can definitely claim to be the first photographer on the scene!”

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: De Havilland Tiger Moth / D.H.82 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1931

Legendary test- and racing pilot Alex Henshaw was reunited with the King’s Cup he won in 1938 - and the aeroplane he won it in, Mew Gull G-AEXF - at Old Warden’s Summer Air Show on July 5, 1998.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Percival Mew Gull - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1934

The wreckage at Milden.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Avro Avian / Type 594/616 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1926

This classic 1932 Great Lakes 2T-1A Biplane G-BUPV has been restored by Robert Fray following its import from the USA in 1989. Restoration was completed in June 1998, and the aircraft had flown only six hours before Cranfield.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Great Lakes 2-T-1 - СШАUSA - 1929

Contrary to reports elsewhere that Gloster Meteor F.8 VZ467/G-METE Winston (seen here being landed by Stan Hodgkins at Kemble at 1800hr on May 29, 1998, in time for the air display that weekend) is going overseas, its future is undecided. Delta Engineering is checking it over with a view to keeping it airworthy; subject to these checks, it is possible but not definite that it may go to the USA.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Gloster Meteor F.Mk.8 / FR.Mk.9 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1948