The summer of 1968 was particularly poor over East Anglia, and this pair of “Messerschmitt Bf 109s” (Hispano Buchons) had to climb above cloud for the cameras. “Yellow 11” is currently under rebuild to fly with R. Bastet at La Ferte-Alais in France.

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

A poor-quality but rare air-to-air study of the two-seat Hispano Ha-1112 K1L, G-AWHC/C4K-112, which could accommodate a camera operator in the rear seat. Virtually the entire unit tried to cadge a trip in the back of this aeroplane, but rides were forbidden.

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

Four of the Messerschmitts were flown by members of the Confederate Air Force, and the rest by pilots from the Spanish Air Force, as seen here.

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

The always immaculately-dressed Gp Capt Hamish Mahaddie, who spent three years travelling the world collecting aircraft for the producers, stands in front of one of the Hispano Buchons at Duxford. He saved the licence-built Messerschmitts from oblivion on the dump at Tablada, Seville.

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

Any break in the weather had to be exploited at Duxford. Here, as the clouds part the Messerschmitt pilots and groundcrews hurry to get in the air and “on station”.

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

Cameramen get a low angle on the dispersal hut at North Weald during May 1968. The gentlemen sitting in the Lloyd Loom chairs in this well-known scene include Edward Fox and Ian McShane.

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

All of the massed bomber formation scenes were filmed in Spain, and only two Heinkels were ferried to Britain for the merciless attention of the film unit’s 12 Spitfires and three Hurricanes.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: CASA 2-111 - ИспанияSpain - 1943Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IX / XVI - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1942

Not a comfortable place from which to fight a war; a final polish for the nose of one of the CASA 2111 “Heinkels” at Duxford.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: CASA 2-111 - ИспанияSpain - 1943

A group of Spitfires closes in on the tail of the B-25 camera aircraft. On the extreme right is Mk XIX PM631, which now flies with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight at Coningsby.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Supermarine Spitfire FR.XIV / FR.XVIII / PR.XIX - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1943

Members of the film’s art department apply self-adhesive code letters to one of the Spitfires, in this case a Mk XIX, between takes.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Supermarine Spitfire FR.XIV / FR.XVIII / PR.XIX - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1943

Spitfire XVIE TE356 (PM631 ???) up on its nose at North Weald during the making of the film Battle of Britain after an over-enthusiastic actor (Robert Shaw?) got carried away while taxying for the cameras. The aeroplane now flies in Australia

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Supermarine Spitfire FR.XIV / FR.XVIII / PR.XIX - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1943