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Historic Military Aircraft

A collection of vintage military aircraft, showcasing night bombers, transport planes, and floatplanes from World War II, predominantly in black and white imagery.

The first aircraft of its type to come to Australia, this unusually designed Leo 453 photographic survey plane designed and built in France in 1937 flew from Indo China to Brisbane on its built in France in 1937 flew from Indo China to Brisbane on its way to New Caledonia, where it will make high-altitude survey flights during the next two to three months for the National Geographical Institute of France. Note the unusual dihedral tail assembly and the low-slung fuselage. It is fitted with special cameras for its oil and mineral survey role. May 6, 1954. (Photo by The Telegraph Feature Service).

German Dive Bomber: Junkers JU 88 in British markings. Photo made after war's end.

Anefo photo collection. Arrival harpoon plane at Valkenburg. September 6, 1951. Valkenburg, South Holland

Brewster Buffalo Mk I, August 1940. A Brewster Buffalo aircraft prepares for takeoff. This aircraft subsequently served with the Fleet Air Arm.

A civil aircraft Junkers G 24 stands on an airfield, 1925-1 a civilian aircraft Junkers G 24 stands on an airfield. Framed photo. A man stands at the landing wheel.

Four fighter planes in flight, P-38 Lightning

A 9th Air force North American P-51 "Mustang".

Anefo photo collection. Fokker F7 from 1927 returns to Schiphol. December 30, 1955. Amsterdam, Noord-Holland

Nationalist aircraft during the Spanish Civil War

detail Prop Military Fixed Wing Aviat Airplanes WWII float sky

An air-to-air left side view of a Soviet Mail reconnaissance aircraft. Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)

Aircraft, Burma, India & INDIA,GLIDERS War

Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Crew. Enola Gay Returns To Parking After The Historical And Successful Atomic Bomb Flight Over Hiroshima.

America Builds New Air Fighter For Soviet -- A view of the "Amphibian Fighter" built by the Seversky Aircraft Corporation at Farmingdale, Long Island, U.S.A., for the Soviet Government. The plane is said to be the fastest craft of its type and of great manoeuvrability. It has a normal cruising range of 3, 000 miles with full military load and is heavily armed. Note here the flexible machine gun in the rear cockpit. The plane is one of a number being manufactured for the Red Army at the works. April 12, 1938. (Photo by Keystone)

The Royal Navy during the Second World War The undercarriage of this Fairey Swordfish of 816 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm collapsed after the pilot landed on too heavily owing to the deck of HMS TRACKER pitching violently whilst she was sailing in the North Atlantic. Note the crowd of men preparing to pull the aircraft clear.

Sk 25 with airfields and airfields on an airfield, 1945 . airplane so-called 25 marked number 268 (25068) with flyers and flying guides are on an airfield. In the background, more aircraft are visible so 25. Aircraft belonging to war air school F 5.

British Overseas Airways Corporation and Qantas, 1940-1945. Lockheed Lodestar, G-AGIL of BOAC, parked at Addis Ababa, Abyssinia.

J 21 In the air, 1940s . aircraft J 21 in the air.

Passenger aeroplane gelatin silver negatives, black-and-white negatives

Kuma class cruiser taking...

Airplane P-35a on the fabilippines Move of aircraft Seversky Republic EP-106, with Swedish and American labeling, on an airfield on the Fillippin. In the US also called P-35A.

First of the Airspeed Oxford advanced trainer monoplanes, purchased by thecommonwealth government, flying over Camden. The planes, which can travel at 190 M.P.H. At 10,000 feet, will be used for the advanced training of pilots. July 23, 1946.

Demonstration of New Flying Boat Fitted With Automatic Quick Firing Gun. The flying boat during the demonstration. A demonstration of the new "Blackburn" Perth Flying Boat was given at Brough, Yorkshire on Monday. The machine is fitted with three Rolls Royce "Buzzard" engines of 825 h.p, each. It is the largest service flying boat in production in this country and is maybe the forerunner of the aerial cruiser of the future. It is unique in that it is the first machine to be equipped with an auto

Airacrobras With The RAF - 1st Pictures. The Bell Airacrobra fighter from USA which, as already announced, is now fully operational with the R.A.F. is seen in these photographs taken at a R.A.F. fighter aerodrome where a squadron is equipped with these aircraft. Two outstanding features of the machines are that the engines are located amidships and the tricycle under carriage. A veteran pilot of the "Battle of Britain" has described them a "A splendid job". October 1, 1941.

"Golden Hind" Flying Boat Launched At Rochester: The 31½-ton "Golden Hiind" entering the water after the launching at Rochester to-day. The largest aircraft in Britain this double-decked flying boat can carry more than 100 passengers on short trips. Golden Hind, first of three 31½-ton flying-boats ordered from Short Brothers for Imperial Airways was launched at Rochester, Kent to-day, Britain, has a chance with these large flying-boats to take part in the development of the London-New fork servi

The NACAs Lewis Flight Propulsion Laboratory used a Boeing B-29 Superfortress as a testbed for ramjet investigations in the late 1940s. NACA Lewis conducted a wide variety of studies on ramjets to determine basic operational data necessary to design missiles. This information included the relationship between combustion chamber and inlet pressure and temperature, velocity of the fuel-air ratio to the ignition characteristics, and combustion efficiency. Although wind tunnel and test stand studies were important first steps in determining these factors, actual flight tests were required. Lewis engineers modified the B-29 so that the ramjet could be stored in the bomb bay. Once the aircraft reached the desired altitude and speed the ramjet was suspended 52 inches below the bomb bay. The ramjets angle-of-attack could be independently adjusted, and a periscope permitted a view of the test article from inside the aircraft. Measurements were taken in free-stream conditions between 5,000 and

RAF Bomber Command Vickers Wellington Mk II prototype L4250, 1940.

Curtiss C-46 'Commandoes' Lined Up Along The Taxiway At A 1338Th Air Base In Yunnanyi, China. 24 May 1945.

Poll photo collection. Schiphol. A DC-3 of Swissair is ready. July 1945. Noord-Holland, Schiphol

Britain's Largest Air Liner Makes Maiden Flight -- The first of a fleet of 14 air liners which are being built for Imperial Airways at Hamble in Hampshire. She has a wing span of 123 feet and an overall length of 110 feet, weighs 20 tons, is capable of 200 miles an hour and carry 42 passengers. July 23, 1938.;Britain's Largest Air Liner Makes Maiden Flight -- The first of a fleet of 14 air liners which are being built for Imperial Airways at Hamble in Hampshire. She has a wing span of 123 feet a

Aircraft, Burma, India &Maintenance,

Airplane Heinkel HD 16, T 1, on the ground in front of hangars on F aircraft Heinkel HD 16, T 1, on the ground in front of hangars on F 2 Hänernäs

The aircraft which put the Kali Konto hydro-electric power system out of commission on January 27 - Australian manned Liberators. The aircraft is captained by F/Lt. Kirkwood. This photograph was taken within a few minutes of the aircraft returning to base after their highly successful mission. February 26, 1945. (Photo by Department of Air).

The Grumman TBM-3S2 Avenger Submarine Boat Boat Archarin with Navy Aviation Service (1954-1959) (MLD) lands at the flight deck of the aircraft camp hr.ms. Karel Doorman (R 81, EX-VENERABLE), 1958. The brake hook on the tail of the device is out and the brake cables on the flight deck have been slightly lit.

Boeing B-17 In Flight Over England.

Martin B-26B-1-MA (S/N 41-17747) nicknamed "Earthquake McGoon" of the 37th Bombardment Squadron, 17th Bombardment Group with flak damage to the No. 1 engine nacelle, left wing and wheel well, in September 1943. Note the missing landing gear doors, September 1943

North American P-51 Mustang fighter plane over France.

Patrol Plane In Clouds. This image depicts a plane in flight.

A Guyana Airways Corporation aeroplane . A Guyana Airways Corporation aeroplane sits in a grassy field as it is loaded with cargo from the back of a tractor. An original caption comments that the aircraft was ""en route to the interior"". British Guiana (Guyana), 1965., Guyana, South America, South America .

U.S. Navy Pursuit Plane. April 29, 1941. (Photo by Sport & General Press Agency Limited.).

Aircraft, Burma, India &Maintenance, ASSEMBLY OFPLANES War

The Hawker FGA-50 Seahawk (radius) yacht plane with registration 68 (1957-1963) of the Marine Aviation Service (MLD) will land at the aircraft deck of the aircraft camp hr.ms. Karel Doorman (R 81, ex-venerable) in 1958. The brake cables on the flight deck are slightly led to give the brake hook to hook into the hunter's tail.

350D - U.S. Army Bombers.. Liberators - Aviation. May 1, 1941.

Photo collection Service for army contacts Indonesia. DLC Aviation day military aviation at Kemajoran airport. Fly show. Mustang P51. March 9, 1947. Batavia, Indonesia, Jakarta, Kemajoran, Dutch East Indies

SK 16 fly over clouds, 1950 . airplane so -1 marked number 58 flying over clouds. Aircraft belonging to war air school f 5. seen obliquely from the front.

The new Blackburn dive-bomber-fighter monoplane (Bristol Mercury engine) photographed on a trial flight. First monoplane built for the Fleet Air Arm. This aeroplane has wings that can be folded for ready housing on board an aircraft carrier, and an unsinkable metal fuselage made up of several watertight compartments. June 24, 1937.

The North American P-51 "Mustang" Of The 350Th Fighter Squadron, 353Rd Fighter Group, Comes In For A Landing At Its English Base After An Escort Mission Over Enemy-Held Europe. February 1945.

Aircraft, Burma, India &Maintenance,ENGINES War

Anefo photo collection. Airline collision at Hillegom. April 14, 1954. Hillegom

Avro York C Mark Is of No. 47 Group RAF lined up at Luqa, Malta, while staging through to the Far East. In the foreground, MW123 of No. 511 Squadron RAF starts to taxy out.

Poll photo collection. Report Schiphol. Post airplane "rice bird" at Schiphol. 1933. Noord-Holland, Schiphol

British Overseas Airways Corporation and Qantas, 1940-1945. Short S.30 'C' Class Empire Flying Boat, G-AFCT 'Champion' of BOAC, taking off from the harbour at Mombasa, Kenya. 'Champion' was the first of the improved Empire Flying Boats, being re-engined with the Bristol Perseus XIIIC, and carrying a greater payload than the S.23.

The Luftwaffe 1939-1945 Messerschmitt Me 163B 'Komet' (VD+ER). This was the 8th prototype aircraft of the Me 163B. The Komet was a short-range rocket interceptor introduced in late 1944. The 'Komet' had a phenomenal rate of climb and speed but only a few minutes flight duration at full power. Its wild handling qualities and explosive fuel mixture meant accidents were very common.

Gloster Gladiator 3

Wreck, personal image and airplane disassembled aircraft Thulin E. Three people perform the aircraft body.

Catalina GAGKS taking off from Nedland, W.A. January, 1945. October 16, 1945. (Photo by Qantas Emfire Airways Limited).

Anefo photo collection. Arrival urns victims of the Franeker (Bombay). July 25, 1949

Rotorua-Taupo NZGS (New Zealand Geological Society) Conference, 16 May 1948, by Leslie Adkin.

A North American Harvard lesson plane at the Aviolaland aircraft factory. Various aircraft for the Marine Aastery Service (MLD) and the Royal Netherlands Air Force were built by Aviolaland.

Anefo photo collection. Zestienhoven airport is extensive, work on the new concrete platform bottom. April 22, 1964. Rotterdam, South Holland

Aircraft, Burma, India &Maintenance,

Aircraft, Burma, India & INDIA,Transportation War

Getting Ready for A World Record.Group Capt. John "cat's Eyes" Cunningham Chief test Pilot for de Havilland's climbs into the de Havilland Vampire jet fighter in which he broke the Notional and International Closed Circuit speed record at the International Air Racos at Lympne.Flying at 496.88 m.p.h. he finished last in the handicap race, but his speed broke the provious world record for a closed circuit by 3 m.p.h. September 2, 1947. (Photo by Mirror Feature).

"Grandpappy", Sire Of The Superfortress Is Being Dismantled At Albrook Field In Panama. The Big Boeing B-15, Which Had Seven Feet More Wingspread Than The B-29, Never Saw Combat, But It Did Achieve An Enviable Transport Record. Over An 18 Months' Period

Photo collection Service for army contacts Indonesia. DLC REP. Airports m.l. (Banjoemas, Semarang). Dakota parked on a lawn. August 1947. Indonesia, Dutch East Indies

J 21A marked 9 in the air, 1940s . aircraft J 21a marked 9 in the air.

1930s 1940s PAN AMERICAN AIRWAYS FLYING BOAT BOEING 314 AT DOCK OUT OF THE WATER

Poll photo collection. Report Schiphol. The "Arend" plane from Fokker in a hangar at Schiphol. 1934. Noord-Holland, Schiphol

Douglas XBT2D-1 (Bu. No. 09086) Skyraider prototype Note Used in publication Flight Research at Ames; 57 Years of Development and Validation of Aeronautical Technology NASA SP-1998-3300 fig 55

Junkers freight carrier extensively used in N.G. January 1, 1932. (Photo by H.L. Downing).

The First Consolidated B-32 Dominator Overseas Runs Up Its Four Powerful Engines At Clark Field, Luzon, P.I., Preparatory To Taking Off In A Trial Run. The B-32, Big Sister Of The Consolidated B-24 Liberator, And Twin (In Size And Performance) Of The Boe

Aircraft, Burma, India &Maintenance,ENGINES War

J 23 The prototype in the air Airplane FVM J 23 flies low over the ore, winter time.

Anefo photo collection. Fokker aircraft Netherlands. 1939

Aircraft, Burma, India & INDIA,Transportation War

British Overseas Airways Corporation and Qantas, 1940-1945. Short S.23 'C' Class Empire Flying Boat, G-ADHL 'Canopus' of BOAC, landing on Lagos Lagoon, Nigeria, for moorings at the Iquoi <Ikoyi> flying boat base. 'Canopus' was the first of the Empire Flying Boats, making its maiden flight on 4 July 1936 and entering service with Imperial Airways later that year.

139 - Northrop Planes. October 18, 1934. (Photo by Associated Press Photo).

This Plane Is A Bar: Oil engineers outside the hull of a disused aeroplane which has been transformed into a convenient bar. lit is hot in Ecuador, and drinks are a necessity for work. April 26, 1949. (Photo by The Swedish Magazine Service AB.).

Colour photograph of the Heinkel He 111 German aircraft designed by Siegfried and Walter Günter at Heinkel Flugzeugwerke in the early 1930s.

Royal Air Force Coastal Command, 1939-1945. Blackburn Botha Mark I, L6183, of No. 1 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit based at Silloth, Cumberland, banking over the Cumbrian countryside.

First internees from St. Thomas wait eagerly to be evacuated by air from Quezon Airstrip in the "Curtiss Commando" C-46. Luzon Island, Philippine Islands, 1945.

New Giant Flying Boat Bomber. The "Sunderland" in flight. The Short "Sunderland", the new flying boat bomber which is now being constructed in quantities for the Royal Air Force and of which the first flight is almost ready for service. Coupled with its long range and high speed its potentialities as a bomber can be gauged from the carrying capacity of the Empire Flying Boats from which the "Sunderland" has been evolved. July 31, 1939. (Photo by Paul Popper).

When shearing "outranked" aviation at the Butler Air Transport aerodrome at Tooraweenah.His hangar on farmland at Tooraweenah was one of the strangest in the world. One end was used for planes, the other for shearing sheep. November 30, 1955.

This Lockheed P-38 nosed over during an emergency landing on the island just at the end of the runway. Space is so vital on the little field that it must be cleared away quickly, as others may have to come in for a quick landing. Not so long ago

Artwork: "British Lancaster Bomber" Artist: Peter Hurd. Country: Unknown

Artwork: "Airfield at Smolensk" Artist: J. Thiel. Country: Unknown

Naval Air Transport Service (NATS) PB2Y Coronado Seaplane prior to Beaching. N3-418.. 1944-01-01T00:00:00.

Smoke over Florence, but the only damage done was where it would hurt the Hun--in the Marshalling Yards.

American Aircraft in Royal Air Force Service 1939-1945- Boeing Model 299 Fortress. Fortress Mark IIA, FK186 S, of No. 220 Squadron RAF based at Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides, flying over the coast.

A left front view of an SNB-5 aircraft. Base: Marine Corps Air Station El Toro State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Airplane J 29 The barrel with trap tanks stands on an airfield motif: airplane J 29 The barrel with trap tanks stands on an airfield. View from the front. In the background, equipment and other equipment are visible.

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress on shuttle mission to Russia.

Douglas A-20 ("Boston" Bomber).Two "Twin Wasp" Pratt and Whitney 1050 h.p. Engines Retractable Tricycle Undercar riage Span: 61' 4" length: 47' Height: 16' Speed: 325 m.p.h. October 4, 1942.

Three-quarter right front view of a Douglas RB-26C Invader at end of airstrip. Note bomb racks on wings.. Three-quarter right front view of a Douglas RB-26C Invader at end of airstrip. Note bomb racks on wings..

Aircraft, Burma, India &Maintenance,

Information office radio broadcaster Dutch Guinea. Guinea, tertiary airports currently laid hinterland difficult reach. kebar that. result, develop foreseeable future. June 1954. Guinea

Sweden, Blekinge, Blekinge, Karlskrona, Karlskrona, external marina (depicted, town).Sweden, Blekinge, Blekinge, Karlskrona, Karlskrona, External War Gogs (depicted, City)

Nose Hangar Under Construction And C-54 Plane. Wideawake Island, Ascension Island.

CONSTRUCTION OF A CHINESE AIRFIELD: Note the smooth appearance of the runway as it nears completion. Here a Douglas C-47 is circling for a landing. (People sitting on the runway.)

Vintage Photograph. Private plane at Zahn's Airport. Frame 1.

Aircraft of the Royal Air Force 1939-1945- General Aircraft Gal.48 Hotspur. Hotspur Mark II, BT615 J, of No. 2 Glider Training Unit based at Weston-on-the-Green, Oxfordshire, in flight under tow.

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