One of the mainstays of the SD units; Whitley V Z9428 of 138 Squadron;

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Armstrong Whitworth Whitley / A.W.38 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1936

One of the mainstays of the SD units; Lysander V9367 (MA-B) of 161 Squadron

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Westland Lysander - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1936

Came the dawn and a new feature appeared on the French skyline. Closer inspection by the local gendarmerie, the Luftwaffe and sundry other occupation authorities proved it to be Lysander T1508 of No.138 Squadron, Tempsford. Sqn Ldr J Nesbitt Dufort did not wait for them and returned the hard way. T1508 was reported missing on 28 February 1942 and while interested spectators looked on, the local Resistance took their photograph.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Westland Lysander - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1936

Whitleys were finally withdrawn from No.138 Squadron in December 1942 and completely replaced by Halifaxes which had shared the task for a year. Typical was Halifax II DG245 HF-W seen at dispersal

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Handley Page Halifax / H.P.57 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1939

Halifax II DT727 of No.138 Squadron's Polish Flight was practicing three-engined landings on 22 June 1943 when it all went wrong. The aircraft finished up against No.2 Hangar and was written off. Only two of the crew were injured

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Handley Page Halifax / H.P.57 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1939

When the photograph was taken, FW332 'R-for-Redwing' had flown 80 missions, 14 by night.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Martin Baltimore / Type 187 - СШАUSA - 1941

Baltimore Is of No.55 Squadron with single dorsal guns.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Martin Baltimore / Type 187 - СШАUSA - 1941

When the photograph was taken, FW332 'R-for-Redwing' had flown 80 missions, 14 by night.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Martin Baltimore / Type 187 - СШАUSA - 1941

The Baltimore Mk.III with its British Boulton Paul turret equipped to take four 0.303-in Brownings. Shown is the test aircraft delivered to A & AEE (AG837) in April 1942

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Martin Baltimore / Type 187 - СШАUSA - 1941

The Mk.IV was fitted with a Martin turret of lower profile mounting two 0.50-in Brownings which added a few mph to the top speed. This is not visible in the photograph which is captioned as a Mk.IV taken in July 1943. However, the tables do not show any Mk.IV as being delivered to the UK.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Martin Baltimore / Type 187 - СШАUSA - 1941

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Martin Baltimore / Type 187 - СШАUSA - 1941

Martin Baltimore

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Martin Baltimore / Type 187 - СШАUSA - 1941

Three Supermarine Stranraers of No.228 Squadron carry our a practice fly-past over Calshot for the 1939 Empire Air Day. Noteworthy are the Type B roundels on the leading aircraft although it has yet to be camouflaged. On the ramp are three Singapore IIIs and a London. The old castle built by Henry VIII with its later addition of a control tower can be seen below the tail of the leading Stranraer, surely the oldest control tower in the world.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Saunders-Roe London / A.27 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1934Short Singapore III / S.19 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1934Supermarine Stranraer - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1934

Swordfish K8395 is not making a float landing on HMS Eagle but is running up on it s deck-handling wheels

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Fairey Swordfish - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1934

Hoising-in a Flycatcher seaplane was good training for potential trapeze artistes. In a calm sea, there was little trouble in hooking in to the lifting point but one can imagine the possibilities in a chop with the pilot kneeling on the centresection braced by a foot on the cockpit combing.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Fairey Flycatcher - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1922

The Flycatcher was the last Fleet Air Arm fighter to use flying-off platforms from cruisers and battleships before catapults became standard equipment on most ships larger than a light cruiser. Fleet No.13 is shown leaving a 'County' class heavy cruiser; the two heads beside the funnel apparently bowed in prayer are more probably looking into the viewfinders of their Box Brownies.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Fairey Flycatcher - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1922

A heavily-populated Supermarine Southampton of No.201 Squadron goes down the slip at Calshot. Clearly visible in this photograph are the retracted radio mast over the centre-section, the offset gun position and the beaching gear.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Supermarine Southampton / Solent - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1925