Today marks the 70th anniversary of a day that many must have thought would never come, the end of the Second World War in Europe. There are of course many aviation events planned to commemorate this important anniversary, none more impressive than the “Arsenal Of Democracy” flypast taking place over Washington DC today, which features … Continue reading VE Day 70
Concluding the look at UK based Spitfires, it is now time to look at the Spitfire's Teenage years, with the Mk XIV, XVI, XVIII and XIX. Mark XIV: The Mark XIV was an important development in the grand scheme of the Spitfire. The Rolls Royce Griffon engine had been introduced to the Spitfire in 1941, … Continue reading UK Spitfires Part 3: The Teens…
Following on from last weeks look at East Kirkby, it is the case of a short drive down the road to RAF Coningsby, which is home to the world famous Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight. I hadn't visited the flight in some time so was keen to take a hangar tour, winter makes for an … Continue reading Museum Photo Post: Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight – RAF Coningsby
During the last few months I have profiled a number of the airworthy survivors of various historic types around the country. With this year marking the 75th Anniversary of the Battle Of Britain it seemed fitting to outline the UK's Spitfire population, this is no small task as there is now quite a large population … Continue reading UK Spitfires Part 1 – The “Baby” Spits MKs I-V
This weeks Warbird Stories features the unsung hero of the Battle Of Britain: The Hawker Hurricane: Tomorrow marks 79 years since the prototype Hurricane, K5083 first flew from Brooklands airfield in Surrey. Building on the success of the Fury line of Hawker bi-planes, featuring similar steel tube construction with fabric covering. It used the now … Continue reading 79 Years Young: The Hawker Hurricane UK Survivors
Its an idea that has been thrown along for as long as I can remember, it seemed simple enough, there are two flying Lancasters in the world, why not get them together? While on paper it sounds easy, there is the small issue that a rather large ocean separates them. Unlike their smaller warbird cousins … Continue reading When Vera Came To Stay: The Lancaster Tour 2014
