Mosquito B.XVI PF561 was passed to the Royal Navy on 18th December 1947 for conversion to a TT.39 by General Aircraft. It is seen here at Hanworth on 23rd May 1948 still carrying its No.14 Squadron code CX while awaiting its facelift. It eventually served as a target tug with No.728 Squadron at Hal Far.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: De Havilland Mosquito B / D.H.98 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1940

The United States Naval Attache in Canberra was provided with a Beech 18, believed to be an SNB-5, for communications use. The serial is not visible but its ownership is not in doubt. It even carried a US star on the nose.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Beechcraft Model 18 / C-45 Expeditor - СШАUSA - 1937

A shiny new Bulldog IIA without any markings. However, the banking behind it looks familiar as we used to climb it to take pictures of aircraft parked in front of the Brabazon hangar at Filton. So it must be G-ABBB refurbished to represent an RAF Bulldog and this is probably a publicity photograph from the Bristol Aeroplane Company.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Bristol Bulldog - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1927

Horsa II TL274 was photographed at Gatwick on 23rd July 1949. Individual codes were infrequent in wartime but the Airborne Forces Experimental Establishment at Beaulieu applied single letters to its Horsas until September 1950.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Airspeed Horsa / AS.51 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1941

VX587 was originally Oxford NJ318 but was sold to Airspeed and converted to a Consul. Registered as G-AKCW, it was later refitted as a flying test-bed for Alvis Leonides engines under a Ministry of Supply contract, being allotted a new Air Ministry serial, VX587. The number 71 is its racing number when entered in the Daily Express south coast air race on 16th September 1950.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Airspeed Consul / AS.65 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1949

Boulton Paul Balliol prototype VL892 first flew on 26th May 1947 with a Bristol Mercury radial engine prior to receipt of a Mamba prop-jet in October 1948. It was used for handling tests with the Mercury fitted.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boulton Paul Balliol / P.108 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1947

The Royal Air Force Museum's Fiat CR 42 seldom appeared outdoors prior to being immured in the Battle of Britain hangar at Hendon. Someone thought that a good addition to its Regia Aeronautica colour scheme would be its wartime RAF serial and it was duly painted on. It had been flown in RAF markings by AFDU and was later allotted 8468M. Fortunately, it survived the post-war orgy of scrapping everything, regardless of historical potential. Its correct serial of MM5701 was reinstated for display.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: FIAT CR.42 Falco - ИталияItaly - 1938

Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon 37235 of NAS Oakland carried the individual code 181/F. Post-war, the Harpoon was used as trainers by the US Navy and Reserve units, providing lead-in training for Neptune crews among other tasks.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed B-34 Lexington / PV Ventura / PV-2 Harpoon - СШАUSA - 1941

South African Air Force Ventura 16019 was converted to a transport and served in this role after the end of the Second World War. Armament and dorsal turret have been removed. The SAAF received 269 Venturas.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed B-34 Lexington / PV Ventura / PV-2 Harpoon - СШАUSA - 1941

The Leduc 0.10 research aircraft was carried aloft on Languedocs. In this case it is F-ZLAV that is loaded with the first prototype. Powered by a ramjet, it was first flown as a glider in October 1947 and flew under power on 21st April 1949. Later it reached a speed of 500 mph and developments included a Mach 2 interceptor with an Atar engine to permit normal take-offs, but the programme was cancelled for financial reasons.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Bloch MB.160 Languedoc - ФранцияFrance - 1937Leduc Leduc 0.10 / 0.16 - ФранцияFrance - 1949

Not many good shots exist of a fully-armed Buckingham B.1. This one, apparently making an engines-off landing (or caught by a very fast shutter speed) shows the serial KR437. Unfortunately, this does not exist so we have to take it that this is a very good model - without visible means of support.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Bristol Buckingham / Type 163 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1943

Dart N9557 spent its life shore-based at Gosport apart from forays to Martlesham Heath and Farnborough for trials. Carrying its station code '19', it was also used for deck-landing practice and development work before dropping out of sight at the end of 1926.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Blackburn Swift T.1 / Dart T.2 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1920

Commonwealth-built Sabre 31 A94-942 spent its early years on trials work before going to No.81 Wing and later to ARDU. It was allotted ground instructional airframe Sabre 15 on 4th September 1973 and ended up in the display park at RAAF Station Williamtown, NSW.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Commonwealth (CAC) CA-27 Sabre - АвстралияAustralia - 1953

Hanging from the rafters of the Danish Air Museum near Helsingor is MAAGEN2. A very early Danish-built flying boat, it was used by the Danish Navy for a period after the First World War.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Donnet-Leveque Type A/B/C - ФранцияFrance - 1912

Photographed dangling in an awkward position is the Baynes Carrier Wing, built by General Aircraft at Hanworth. It was intended as a scale model of a tank-carrying glider and the prototype was RA809. This shot was taken in May 1947 by Maurice Gates.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Baynes Bat - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1943