The crowded scene depicts Iesi airfield in Italy which was the base for No.3 Wing, South African Air Force, when it escaped from the mud of Pescara. It then faced another problem, namely finding space to take-off.
In this SAAF photograph, can be seen Spitfire VIIIs, IXs, XIs and XIXs, Mustang IIIs and IVs, Bostons, Baltimores, a Beaufighter, a Kittyhawk, Mitchells and Havocs of the USAAF, an Expediter, Vengeances, Liberators and a silver Thunderbolt. Amid this mass of aircraft are the lines of Marauders which probably used a fair proportion of their fuel load to get to the runway. The local farmer appears to have left home.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Beechcraft Model 18 / C-45 Expeditor - СШАUSA - 1937Bristol Beaufighter - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1939Consolidated B-24 Liberator - СШАUSA - 1939Curtiss P-40D Kittyhawk / Warhawk - СШАUSA - 1941Douglas A-20 Boston / Havoc / P-70 Nighthawk - СШАUSA - 1938Martin Baltimore / Type 187 - СШАUSA - 1941North American B-25 Mitchell / PBJ-1 - СШАUSA - 1940North American P-51 Mustang - СШАUSA - 1940North American P-51D Mustang - СШАUSA - 1944Republic P-47D-25 / P-47N Thunderbolt - СШАUSA - 1943Supermarine Spitfire FR.XIV / FR.XVIII / PR.XIX - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1943Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IX / XVI - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1942Supermarine Spitfire Mk.VI / VII / VIII - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1942Supermarine Spitfire PR / FR - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1939Vultee A-35 Vengeance - СШАUSA - 1941

For VIP communications, the REAF used Westland Wessex W202 (ex G-ACIJ) between 1934 and 1940

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Westland Wessex / Westland IV - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1929

Marauder I FK138 passes through Prestwick en route for No.14 Squadron in Egypt

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Martin B-26 Marauder / Type 179 - СШАUSA - 1940

Another 14 Squadron aircraft. Code M was carried at various times by FK139, FK144 and FK159 but the serial is not legible in this view.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Martin B-26 Marauder / Type 179 - СШАUSA - 1940

No.3 (SAAF) Wing Marauders at Pescara during their stay in sunny Italy. Hard runways were much in demand

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Martin B-26 Marauder / Type 179 - СШАUSA - 1940

A Marauder on its nose. The scenary is more temperate that one normally sees in photos of RAF Marauders but again the serial is illegible. It has an A1 roundel on the fuselage and appears to be an early example of the type while under test at A&AEE or some similar establishment.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Martin B-26 Marauder / Type 179 - СШАUSA - 1940

The REAF's Avro 652A W204 which went to Egypt as SU-AAO for trials. It was not a true Anson but a transport development of the original Avro 652.

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

Proof that Egypt is not all sand is given by the background to the formation of five Avro 626s over Sinai

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

The photograph of another Meteor F.8, VZ521, coded '3' taken at Woodvale on 6 February 1960. This carries a similar marking and was modified as a target tug.

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