This photograph was especially taken for Aeroplane Monthly by RICHARD WINSLADE to mark the 50th anniversary of the first flight of the Spitfire. The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight's Spitfire II is seen in the hands of Wg Cdr J Ward on his arrival over Southampton on March 5, 1986. He is escorted by Roland Fraissmet's Spitfire PR XI and Naifire's Spitfire IX. All three Spitfires attended the Spitfire Society's 50th anniversary celebrations held that day at Eastleigh.

Our impressive centre-spread features ex-RAAF Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation CA-25 Winjeel A85-436/VH-WIJ. Owned and operated by Roger Richards of Melbourne. Australia, the aircraft was photographed over Western Port Bay in March 1985 by NIGEL APPERLY

Morane-Saulnier MS.500 Criquet (licence-built Fieseler Storch) D-EFTY photographed by ERICH GANDET over Hahnweide, W. Germany on September 7 last year