The importance of aircraft recognition to everyone, from the humble spotter to aircrew and antiaircraft gunners, is brought home in this study of aircrew undergoing briefing on a Bomber Command base. Black-painted wooden models of Allied and Axis aeroplanes hang conspicuously from the ceiling, and posters depicting aircraft types share wall space with maps and notices.

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

Early days. An RAF instructor shows members of the Fleet Air Arm the salient features of a Dornier Do 18 reconnaissance flying-boat, flanked by models of a Heinkel He 111 and Dornier Do 17, in August 1940. The models on the table look rather inaccurate; standards improved when mass-produced, professionally-made models became available.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Dornier Do.17Z / Do.215 - ГерманияGermany - 1939Dornier Do.18 - ГерманияGermany - 1935Heinkel He-111P/H - ГерманияGermany - 1938

Although this recognition training model of a Focke-Wulf Fw 190 fighter looks very similar in construction to the Junkers on the facing page, it is a solid moulding made from a black plastic or resin material. The use of such techniques greatly simplified model production.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Focke-Wulf FW.190A - ГерманияGermany - 1941

A pilot officer in a Boulton Paul Defiant nightfighter talks to Air Training Corps cadets visiting an RAF aerodrome on June 15, 1941, where they were given lectures and practical instruction and treated to flights. Similar rallies were held all over Britain. The total strength of the ATC at the time was 200,000, and although it was only three months old "several thousand" cadets had already passed into the RAF and Fleet Air Arm for flying duties.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boulton Paul Defiant / P.82 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1937

The primitive recognition models of the early war period were soon succeeded by professionally-made products, such as this nicely finished Junkers Ju 188 built by Woodason Aircraft Models Ltd, registered on May 19, 1941. Such models benefited from the careful study of photographs and captured machines.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Junkers Ju.188 - ГерманияGermany - 1941