Historical Military Aviation Footage

Black and white archival footage highlighting military aviation operations and significant events from World War II and other historical moments.

CANADA - 1942 - Patrol planes of the Royal Canadian Air Force's Coastal Command keep on the lookout for Nazi invaders.

Detachment 101, an enigmatic Allied intelligence and special operations unit during World War II, played a pivotal role in the Burmese theater. Operating deep in the jungles of Burma, their mission was multi-faceted, encompassing guerrilla warfare, espionage, and sabotage against Japanese forces. Comprising a diverse group of individuals, from OSS agents to indigenous fighters, they effectively disrupted Japanese supply lines, gathered critical intelligence, and supported resistance movements.

With bits of wreckage hurtling through the air above it, this twin-engined Nazi plane, fire pouring from its starboard motor, was downed for the count by Lt. Richard A. Stearns on 5 Nov 1943.

One of the first pictures to be received in London of the actual, sinking of the Prince of Wales and repulse. In this aerial view the vessel furthest from the camera in the background is the repulse, ***** and leaving a huge trail of smoke. The vessel next to her is the Prince of Wales, also burning furiously. In the foreground is a Japanese warship. August 23, 1942. (Photo by Associated Press Photo).

Photo collection Service for army contacts Indonesia. DLC Visit Minister Romme to Grote Oost Makassar, Menado, Ambon, Flores, Surabaya. Aerial photo. January 24, 1947. Indonesia, Dutch East Indies

Photo collection Service for army contacts Indonesia. DLC Large purification promotion in the W-Brigade area. Middle Java: Purification actions in the area of the W-Brigade 1-II RI took 2 weeks out. Dakota drop supplies. March 15, 1948. Indonesia, Java, Dutch East Indies

A Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortress" Part Of The 381St Bomb Group, En Route To Bomb Enemy Installations In Europe, Is Pictured Against A Backdrop Of Fleecy Clouds.

Detachment 101, an enigmatic Allied intelligence and special operations unit during World War II, played a pivotal role in the Burmese theater. Operating deep in the jungles of Burma, their mission was multi-faceted, encompassing guerrilla warfare, espionage, and sabotage against Japanese forces. Comprising a diverse group of individuals, from OSS agents to indigenous fighters, they effectively disrupted Japanese supply lines, gathered critical intelligence, and supported resistance movements.

Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortress" Of The 381St Bomb Group, En Route To Bomb Enemy Installations In Europe, Are Silhouetted Against A Blanket Of Fleecy Clouds.

DEADLY GAME OF TAG--While a German jet-propelled ME 262 trails dangerously close behind an 8th Air Force North American P-51 Mustang fighter, another Mustang bears in on the jet plane, destroying it with its six .50 caliber guns. The action was

The Royal Navy during the Second World War Protection for convoys is one of the jobs of the Fleet Air Arm planes of the Royal Air Naval Station, Sierra Leone. Here a Boulton Paul Defiant from the station sweeps over a big convoy which is just leaving Freetown Harbour. The aircraft took off from from HMS SPURWING, Royal Naval Air Station in Sierra Leone, once a stretch of untouchable bush. Part of the wings and struts of the biplane from which the photograph was taken are in the foreground.

Consolidated B-24 Liberator attack on Rhenania-Ossag oil plant in Germany, Aug 44, leaves plant burning.

Giant glider-hauling Douglas C-47s are pictured as they come over their Troop Carrier base somewhere in England. They have completed their second mission over France, having delivered glider borne infantry "as briefed".

The Royal Navy during the Second World War Three rocket projectile Fairey Swordfish during a training flight from St Merryn Royal Naval Air Station This operational squadron was ommanded by Lieutenant Commander P Snow RN. Note the invasion stripes carried for the Normandy landings on the wings and fuselage of the aircraft.

Supplies Are Dropped From Aplane During The Testing Of Paper Parachutes At An Airbase At Brisbane, Australia. 22 March 1943.

Aircraft - Mig's - Aviation. July 10, 1953.

This Striking Aerial Photograph Was Snapped By An Alert Combat Crew Cameraman, Sgt. Max Shapoff, Of New York City, As One Of The 15Th Aaf Consolidated B-24 Liberators Crashed Somewhere In German-Held Territory. The Ship, Hit By Flak, Continues Its Descen

Fortresses Pound Industrial Areas...In The Multi-Pronged Attacks By The U.S. 8Th Air Force Heavies On Germany And Occupied France, Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses Hit Industrial Targets While Liberators Were Busy Blasting Airdromes On 23 March 44.

formation of North American P-51 Mustang fighter planes over France.

This remarkable photograph, taken during the Boeing B-17 attack on the Ploesti oil refineries in Rumania on 15 July 1944, shows bombs falling on the target from the formation flying above this B-17 and flak bursts from anti-aircraft defenses. Smoke

What Appear To Be Harmless Puffs Of Smoke Against The Sky Are In Reality Deadly Flak Bursts Encountered By Consolidated B-24S Of The 392Nd Bomb Group While En Route To Bomb An Enemy Target Somewhere In Europe. 10 August 1943.

Detachment 101, an enigmatic Allied intelligence and special operations unit during World War II, played a pivotal role in the Burmese theater. Operating deep in the jungles of Burma, their mission was multi-faceted, encompassing guerrilla warfare, espionage, and sabotage against Japanese forces. Comprising a diverse group of individuals, from OSS agents to indigenous fighters, they effectively disrupted Japanese supply lines, gathered critical intelligence, and supported resistance movements.

U.S. Consolidated B-24's over Cognac, France.

This Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortress" Of The 15Th Af Flies Through Heavy Flak On Its Bomb Run Over The Rail Yards At Augsburg, Germany On Feb 27 1945. Heavy Bombers Of The 15Th Af Are Slicing Vital Rail Lines From Vienna To Munich.

Detachment 101, an enigmatic Allied intelligence and special operations unit during World War II, played a pivotal role in the Burmese theater. Operating deep in the jungles of Burma, their mission was multi-faceted, encompassing guerrilla warfare, espionage, and sabotage against Japanese forces. Comprising a diverse group of individuals, from OSS agents to indigenous fighters, they effectively disrupted Japanese supply lines, gathered critical intelligence, and supported resistance movements.

North American P-51 "Mustangs" Attached To The 91St Bomb Group In Bassingbourne, England, Fly Above The Clouds On A Practice Fighter Escort Mission On 20 July 1944.

Enemy on Kiska.

of 3