Martlet AX829 soon after arriving at Hatston as the first replacement aircraft for the Sea Gladiators, one of which can be seen on the left of Hatston's watch office. In the background can be seen Swordfish and a Henley of the Fleet Requirement Unit at Hatston. On the right is the airfield's Chance light mounted on a chassis.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Fairey Swordfish - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1934Gloster Sea Gladiator - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1938Grumman F4F Wildcat - СШАUSA - 1937Hawker Henley - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1937

Taken on 11 April 1942, the photograph shows a Fulmar being pushed towards one of the hangars at Hatston. It carries no visible identity but contrasts with the stubby F4F Wildcat from VF7 on the right. The other aircraft are Douglas TBD-1 Devastators from VT7 which, being in the Atlantic Fleet, escaped the massacre of their sister squadrons at the Battle of Midway a few weeks later, 36 out of 41 being lost.
Note the telescopic sight on the torpedo-bombers which contrasted with the sighting bars used on FAA torpedo-bombers. This device was disliked by pilots as it cut out all vision while using it apart from the small area it covered.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas TBD-1 Devastator - СШАUSA - 1935Fairey Fulmar / P.4/34 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1937Grumman F4F Wildcat - СШАUSA - 1937

Martlet S7-B belonged to No.804 Squadron at Hatston before the unit moved to Skeabrae in September 1940 although it still flew from Hatston from time to time. On 17 November 1940, S/Lt D.Hutchinson overshot the runway at Skeabrae and tipped up on its nose.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Grumman F4F Wildcat - СШАUSA - 1937

Folding the wings of an anonymous Swordfish at Hatston. This photograph shows good details of some of the appendages which were hung on Swordfish.
On the centre-section struts is a torpedo sighting bar which permitted aiming-off according to the estimated speed of the target.
Under the wings are racks for varying sizes of bombs which could also take other stores, e.g. flares. The locks which held the wings in position during flight appear quite insignificant but there were few cases of these becoming unlocked in flight.
On the upper wing are the slats which gave the Swordfish its slow approach speed and enabled it to operate from small carriers in weather which grounded (or decked?) its more advanced contemporaries.
In the background is a Gipsy engine which appears to be attached to a Puss Moth. Behind it can be seen parts of what appears to be a Dauntless.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas SBD Dauntless - СШАUSA - 1939Fairey Swordfish - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1934

Mr. A.W.Evans has provided us with the photograph for which no details are known.
The aircraft is a Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter and, apart from the surrounding populace, there are few clues as to its identity. On the rudder there appears to be a number of some sort. Did any of the sub-contractors have the habit of putting on serial numbers in this fashion?
No gun-mounting is visible in the rear cockpit - or was it a single-seater bomber version of the Strutter? There appears to be a Bowden cable affixed to the forward centre section strut which does not appear clearly in the photographs of 1 1/2 Strutters which come to hand. The central rib of the transparent centre section seems also to be deeper than on Sopwith-built aircraft.
Probably the best clue is the people posing in front of the aircraft, possibly their first completed machine. The central character has a wing collar, obviously part of the management if not actually the owner of the factory. The smock-clad ladies are presumably impressed sempstresses, transferred from silk dresses to best Irish Linen for the aircraft's covering. Slightly-varied dress on the lady on the left may designate her as the firm's Lady Typewriter. And the others? Works Manager, Foreman, Accountant? They seem to outnumber the work force.
Does anyone recognise the hangar itself? Does it belong to Hooper, Mann Egerton, Ruston Proctor, Wells or Morgan, all sub-contractors who might have been more impelled to pose in front of their first aeroplane than the more established manufacturers of Strutters such as Fairey, Vickers and Westland, not to mention Sopwith?

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Sopwith Sopwith 1 1/2-Strutter - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1915

A view of HMS Albion. Having a resident photogarphic section and a variety of aircraft to take snapshots from is very convenient. On the deck are three Sea Hawks and a Skyraider AEW.1. 'Albion' having the initial 'A', it follows that the letter 'Z' was allotted as an ident letter for the bows. Note the first Sea Hawk ready for catapulting from the port catapult.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas AD-3W - СШАUSA - 1949Hawker Sea Hawk - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1947

In 1976, Aeromilitaria had an article on Penrhos airfield but this was in pre-photo days. This was taken in August 1940 at No.9 Bombing & Gunnery School and show the unit's Battles.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Fairey Battle - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1936

The seaplane Supermarine S-5 N219 which took part in the 1927 and 1929 races. It was acquired by a Mr.Thompson who owned Golden Acre Park in Leeds and was displayed apparently without and engine and with a propeller and engine cowlings which do not seem to be those originally fitted. There are three tubes projecting downwards just forward of the wing and these may have been inserted for drainage.
After Mr.Thompson's son had been drowned in a boating accident on the lake, he had it drained and for the next eighteen months the seaplane was displayed on a plinth at the junction of Wetherby Road and Hare Hills Lane, Leeds, before disappearing without trace. Any trace of the whereabouts of N219 after this would be welcome.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Supermarine S.5 / S.6 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1927

Hitch-hiking is not a very difficult or unusual way of moving around but it shows a certain flair to hitch-hike on a truck with a Folland Gnat for company.
Stefan Barnickel has sent in this photographs taken by Manfred Gebel in July 1958 while travelling towards London from the north. The cargo carries Yugoslav markings and is one of two delivered for evaluation to Yugoslavia.
The question that arises is what it was doing on the back of a lorry in July 1958 and what the fate of the two Yugoslav Gnats was.. It is probably all covered in some book or magazine which doesn't appear on the editorial bookshelf. Perhaps someone would like to offer a history of Folland aircraft for AM to fill this gap...

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Folland Gnat - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1955

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Canadair CL-13 Sabre - КанадаCanada - 1950

Although on the charge of Station Flight, Linton-on-Ouse, XD763 carried the insignia of Wing Leader, Linton

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Canadair CL-13 Sabre - КанадаCanada - 1950

Sabre F.4 XD770 was 'M' of No.66 Squadron

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Canadair CL-13 Sabre - КанадаCanada - 1950

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Canadair CL-13 Sabre - КанадаCanada - 1950

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Canadair CL-13 Sabre - КанадаCanada - 1950

Royal Naval Air Station, Hatston, looking east towards Kirkwall. Apart from the line of sixteen Swordfish, visible on the left is a Henley and two Skuas of No.771 Squadron, the Fleet Requirements Unit at Hatston

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Blackburn Skua / B-24 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1937Fairey Swordfish - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1934Hawker Henley - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1937

In 1976, Aeromilitaria had an article on Penrhos airfield but this was in pre-photo days. This was taken in August 1940 at No.9 Bombing & Gunnery School and show the unit's Henley and Wallace target tugs. K6073 actually has a code letter 'H'.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Hawker Henley - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1937Westland Wallace / PV.3 / PV.6 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1931

A certain divergance in design philosophy is evident in these two photographs of the eastern hangar area at Hatston. Here is the Fleet Air Arm's primary strike aircraft demonstrating that they could exceed walking pace.

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

One of No.804 Squadron's Sea Gladiators, N2272, at Hatston with members of the squadron. Top is S/Lt J.Sleigh, below him S/Lt Balmer, to his right S/Lt B.Paterson and on the right S/Lt N.H.Patterson. The landing hook can be clearly seen but the personal marking of a fist smashing something with a swastika on it is not so obvious.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Gloster Sea Gladiator - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1938

A certain divergance in design philosophy is evident in these two photographs of the eastern hangar area at Hatston. Here is the SB2U Vindicators from USS Wasp's Air Group disembarked while the carrier took Spitfires to Malta in May 1942.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Vought SB2U Vindicator / V-156 - СШАUSA - 1936

The third production Master I, N7410, taken at the A&AEE. It was initially flown to Martlesham Heath but was flown to Boscombe Down shortly after war was declared. It eventually became instructional airframe 2551M.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Miles Kestrel M.9 / Master I M.9A - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1937

N7410 was the third production aircraft and was delivered to the Aeroplane & Armament Experimental Establishment at Martlesham Heath in August 1939, following N7409 which was intended for general handling trials.
N7410 was equipped with, bomb racks for use as a bombing trainer, having racks for small practice bombs mounted on the rear centre-section just outboard of the fuselage.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Miles Kestrel M.9 / Master I M.9A - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1937

The third production Master I, N7410, taken at the A&AEE. It was initially flown to Martlesham Heath but was flown to Boscombe Down shortly after war was declared. It eventually became instructional airframe 2551M.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Miles Kestrel M.9 / Master I M.9A - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1937

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Miles Kestrel M.9 / Master I M.9A - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1937

Jet Provost T.4 XP547 before delivery to the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment. It subsequently went on to serve with the Royal Air Force College, Cranwell, the Central Air Traffic Control School and the School of Refresher Flying before passing on to No.1 Tactical Weapons Unit where it now resides.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Hunting Percival Jet Provost / P.84 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1954

S1589 in full flight after modifications. Some additional footholds have appeared below the cockpit

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Short Sarafand / S.14 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1932

The massive central section of the Sarafand showing the original cooling system and freight access hatch

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Short Sarafand / S.14 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1932

The Sarafand in her original state soon after launching

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Short Sarafand / S.14 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1932

The tail section showing the tail gun position and the servo-rudder

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Short Sarafand / S.14 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1932

The Sarafand taxying on the River Medway at Rochester

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Short Sarafand / S.14 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1932

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Short Sarafand / S.14 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1932