Historical Military Aviation Moments

Black and white images capturing WWII pilots and aircraft. Features notable planes like the B-24, P-38, and Spitfire, highlighting the valor and history of aerial combat.

Lt. Wm. B. King, 1241 Princess Ave., Atlanta, Ga., leans on the wing of his plane "GEORGIA PEACH" on which he has added five "goose-steppers" for five Herman-the-Germans who tried to run away after he had set their ammunition carrier afire--they

ENGLAND-Capt. Howard W. Slaton, Courtland, Ala., pilot, shown after completing his 31st mission over enemy territory. Capt. Slaton flew a B-24 on coastal defense bombing on D-Day. He was awarded the Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters and the

A Pilot Of The 94Th Fighter Squadron, 1St Fighter Group, Sits In The Cockpit Of His Lockheed P-38 Lightning At An Air Base Somewhere In Italy.

12TH AAF AIR SUPPORT COMMAND--Winding up the old year on 'alert' at an advanced AAF base in the Mediterranean theatre of war, Lt. R.J. Connor, stands in the cockpit of his American Spitfire fighter. His crew chief is, Sgt. Wm. A. Fonder, New

Japan, 1944 (CA.). A Japanese reconnaissance seaplane arrives at its base after an action against the enemy.

A pilot of the 90th Photographic Reconnaissance Wing, steps into the cockpit of his Lockheed F-5 at an air base somewhere in North Africa.

Lt. Wm. B. King, 1241 Princess Ave., Atlanta, Ga., leans on the wing of his plane "GEORGIA PEACH" on which he has added five "goose-steppers" for five Herman-the-Germans who tried to run away after he had set their ammunition carrier afire--they

A Pilot Of The 94Th Fighter Squadron, 1St Fighter Group, Poses In The Cockpit Of His Lockheed P-38 Lightning At An Air Base Somewhere In Italy.

The Royal Air Force in North Africa during the Second World War; Royal Air Force, 108 Squadron CBM1264

BACK FROM HAMBURT---Despite cannon-fire damage from German jet-powered fighter planes which destroyed control surfaces but missed gasoline tanks, 2nd Lt. Carl L. Washburn, Jr., 21-year-old U.S. 8th AF Boeing B-17 Flying ofrtress pilot

Before Taking Off On A Mission Pilot Of The 94Th Fs, 1St Fg, Makes A Last Minute Check With His Crew Chief At An Airfield Somewhere In Italy.

Aircraft, Burma, India &PHOTOGRAPHY, CAMERAS,STILL War

FRANCE--Two of eight reconnaissance pilots, sent aloft in pairs to observe and not to fight, scored 17 kills in 24 hours on the western front when, outnumbered by the Luftwaffe, they were forced on two occasions to fight their way home.

021206-M-3031H-088. Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

F/O Jack Modica Of The 9Th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron Poses In The Cockpit Of His Lockheed F-5 At An Air Base Somewhere In India.

England-Keen eyes of Capt. Oscar O'Neill, skipper of Invasion II, peer out over the oxygen mask that high altitude combat forces every crew member to wear. O'Neill is the first man to see enemy aircraft getting "cocked" for a frontal attack. Over the

A Pilot Of The 94Th Fighter Squadron, 1St Fighter Group, Climbs Into The Cockpit Of His Lockheed P-38 Lightning At An Air Base Somewhere In Italy.

Orly. Photographs of Marshall Plan Programs, Exhibits, and Personnel

Piloting The Lead Bomber Through Intense Flak And Keeping Her Steady During The Bomb Run, As Consolidated B-24 Liberators Of The 15Th Aaf Attacked The Aircraft Assembly Plant At Bad Voslau, Austria, On 23 April 1944, Was Lt. Colonel Marden M. Munn, Of Alb

An Air Force Pilot Of The 94Th Fs, 1St Fg, Is Seated In His Lockheed P-38 Lightning At An Air Base Somewhere In Italy, 15 June 1945.

Aircraft, Burma, India &CREWS,PILOT War

A Pilot Of The 94Th Fighter Squadron, 1St Fighter Group, Stands On His Lockheed P-38 Lightning At An Air Base Somewhere In Italy.

Flying for the cadets begins mid-way through the third year at the College. This cadet is on the final stages of his flying training. He is learning to handle his aircraft as a weapon in the applied flying training stage. September 10, 1953. (Photo by RAAF Official Photograph).

A Pilot Of The 94Th Fighter Squadron, 1St Fighter Group, Sits In The Cockpit Of His Lockheed P-38 Lightning At An Air Base Somewhere In Italy.

S/Sgt. Edward L. Lawler Of Camden, Arkansas And T/Sgt. William G. Dickson Of Selma, Akr., Both Gunners On The Boeing B-17 "Oklahoma Okie" Pose In Front Of Their Plane At Bassingbourne, England, Just Before Take Off On A Mission. 16 June 1943.

The Ground Crew Congratulates Lt. I.C. Baker, Pilot Of A North American Mustang Who Has Completed His Tour Of Duty With The 20Th Fighter Group In England.

DF-SD-07-26063. Base: Camp Williams State: Wisconsin (WI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Capt. Edgar Romberg, flight operations officer of the "Flyign Tigers: which is commanded by Major John Chennault, son of General Chennault. Although he hasn't shot down a Japanese, Capt. Romberg is still hoping that the day will arrive.

15 Single And Double-Span Railroad Bridges Have Been Destroyed By Maj. Frank H. Peppers, Brooklyn, N.Y., Shown Here Adding Another Symbol Of Destruction On The Fuselage Of His Republic P-47 Thunderbolt. Operations Officer Of A Fighter Bomber Group, Maj.

Royal Air Force Bomber Command, 1939-1941. Sergeant James Allan Ward of No. 75 (New Zealand) Squadron RAF, the first New Zealander to win the Victoria Cross during the Second World War, standing in the cockpit of his Vickers Wellington Mark IC, L7818 'AA-V', at Feltwell, Norfolk.

French world war two postcard celebrating the British bulldog as a mascot for the Royal air force

At 46, Sgt. Wills N. Gardner, of Eire, Pa., is the oldest air gunner on combat duty with the 458th Bomb Group of the U.S. 8th AF 2nd Air Div. Sgt. Gardner served 16 months in France in the last war and saw action with the 56th Artillery during the

Lt. Austin Of The 94Th Fs, 1St Fg, Stands Beside His Lockheed P-38 Lightning At An Air Base In Italy.

Anefo photo collection. Dutch sailor Suriname distorts name Wageningen (both Dutch city Suriname) Hudson aircraft (Hudson MK III Serienr. V9122 Code No-N "Wageningen", 320 (Dutch) Squadron RAF Coastal Command). 1941. Britain, Scotland, Suriname

Maj. John A. "four-Invasion" Carey, 27 Jackson Drive, Wilmington, North Carolina, landed his Thunderbolt on a Ninth Air force emergency landing strip in Normandy to retrieve 1st Lt. Andrew M. Calhoun, 2191 Nelson St., Memphis, Tenn., who had

Brigadier I. Dougherty, DSO and bar, who is in charge of one of the Australian forces in the Balikpapan landing. July 3, 1945. (Photo by Australian Official Photo)

DN-SN-85-05648. Base: Natc, Patuxent River State: Maryland (MD) Country: United States Of America (USA)

England-Lt. Godfrey (left) wingman and Capt. Gentile.

Anefo photo collection. Minister of Defense, S. J. van der Bergh visits the royal navy. The minister at a plane at Marineliegkamp Valkenburg. 11 June 1959. Valkenburg, South Holland

Admiral (ADM) Jonathan T. Howe, right, Commander in CHIEF, Allied Forces Southern Europe, looks into the cockpit of an Italian air force AMX aircraft during a static display of NATO aircraft. The display is being held in conjunction with the NATO Southern Region exercise DRAGON HAMMER '90. Subject Operation/Series: DRAGON HAMMER '90 Country: Italy (ITA)

T/Sgt. Peter Waranicha, radio operator and gunner, of 90 New Cranberry St., Hazelton, Penn.

Anefo photo collection. Major Kite Flinterman. August 3, 1949

Pilot Of The 94Th Fs, 1St Fg, Seated In The Cockpit Of His Lockheed P-38 Lightning At An Airfield Somewhere In Italy.

DN-SN-87-09925. Base: Naval Air Station, Rota Country: Spain (ESP)

A Pilot Of The 94Th Fighter Squadron, 1St Fighter Group, Sits In The Cockpit Of His Lockheed P-38 Lightning At An Air Base Somewhere In Italy.

To Try for Atlantic Record. Shown here is Squadron Leader A. E. Callard, BE. Royal Air Force best pilot of the Supply Ministry secret establishment at Boscomibe down, Wiltshire, who is to pilot an English Electric Canberra twin jet bomber in an attempt to set a new trans-Atlantlo speed record the Canberra is capable of over 600 miles an hour. April 11, 1951.

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.

Royal Air Force Operations in Malta, Gibraltar and the Mediterranean, 1940-1945. Flying Officer Adrian Warburton about to enter the cockpit of a Martin Maryland Mark I of No. 69 Squadron RAF at Luqa, Malta.

Turkey. Before Take-off. 1942

Lt. J.L. Shilt, Pilot Of The 350Th Fighter Squadron, 353Rd Fighter Group, Poses Beside His North American P-51 "Minnehaha" At An Airbase In England.

DN-SN-85-05649. Base: Natc, Patuxent River State: Maryland (MD) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A Lockheed F-5 pilot of the 90th Photographic Reconnaissance Wing, poses for the photographer at an air base somewhere in North Africa.

Quick thinking and action on the part of S/Sgt Douglas B. McKirgan, 515 Sawmill River, Aidsley, N.Y., right, probably saved the life of his fellow tail gunner, Sgt Frank A. Matthes, Jr., Box 726 Sidney, Neb., during a recent raid over Germany.

Seated In The Cockpit Of His Fighter Plane, The Pilot Is Instructed By An Officer Of The Personal Equipment Office How To Adjust His Shoulder Harness Before Taking Off. 353Rd Fighter Group, England, 27 May 1945.

Capt. Charles S. Hudson, Bombardier, Standing By A Plane At A Base In England.

Heinrich

Lt. Jenkins, pilot of the 90th Photographic Reconnaissance Wing, poses in the cockpit of his Lockheed F-5 at an air base somewhere in North Afria.

Colonel Harold W. Bowman, Commanding Officer Of The 401St Bomb Group, Discusses The Bombing Attack On Enemy Installations At Caen, France, With Lt. Causey, England, 9 February 1944.

1St Lt. J. H. Carlyle Of Gilroy, Calif., Chats With Sgt. E. J. Brown Of Toledo, Ohio Besides The Bell P-39 'Racker Ii'. Lt. Carlyle Shot Down Two Japaneseanese Plane Over Makin Island. Haleiwa, Oahu, Hawaii.

Fleet Air Arm Series, on Board HMS Victorious. September 1942. Fleet Air Arm pilot, S/Lt R Henderson RNVR.

Pilot Of The 94Th Fs, 1St Fg, Poses On His Lockheed P-38 Lightning At An Airfield Somewhere In Italy.

M/Sgt. Kraft of Racine, Wisconsin, crew chief, points out hole in 9th U.S. Air Force Consolidated B-24 Liberator Bomber after it returned from raid over Italy.

Vintage photograph. Soldier waiting for orders to board plane for the battle front in Korea

Squadron Leader Peter Townsend chatting with ground crew on his Hawker Hurricane at Wick, Scotland, 1940. British Personalities: Squadron Leader Peter Townsend DSO DFC chatting with ground crew who are seated on his Hawker Hurricane at Wick, Scotland.

Photo collection Service for army contacts Indonesia. DLC (surgery crow) departure airport Semarang, arrival at Djokja airport. Soldier with parachute baret is on a dismantled steering in an airplane hanger. December 19, 1948. Indonesia, Dutch East Indies

Capt. W.E. Sticklen, Bombardier, At His Position In A Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortress" At The 91St Bomb Group Base In Bassingbourne, England. 20 April 1944.

021206-M-3031H-055. Base: Vella La Vella Country: Solomon Islands (SLB)

Col. George R. Bickell, Nutley, N.J., 28 year-old Commanding Officer of the 354th fighter-bomber group of the Ninth Air force. A veteran of fighting in the Pacific and a ofrmer squadron commander in the group, he has shot down four and one-half enemy

Eddie Rickenbacker, France, October 18, 1918, American Air Ace (1890-1973)

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.

A Pilot Of The 94Th Fighter Squadron, 1St Fighter Group, On The Wing Of His Lockheed P-38 Lightning At An Air Base Somewhere In Italy.

021206-M-3031H-061. Base: Russell Islands Country: Solomon Islands (SLB)

A Pilot Of The 94Th Fighter Squadron, 1St Fighter Group, Climbs Into The Cockpit Of His Lockheed P-38 Lightning At An Air Base Somewhere In Italy.

Un piloto japonés de la Unidad Especial de Ataque Shinpu, más conocido como kamikaze, subiendo al avión con el que realizará un ataque suicida contra un avión B29 de EE.UU. Lleva los muñecos que las alumnas de un instituto han hecho para que animen a los pilotos.

Mystery Man Leaves - Unobtrusively leaving Northolt today mystery man of the Middle East, 53-year-old Major-General Glubb Pasha, British leader of the 10,000-strong Arab Legion.He is going to visit his mother in Geneva. On Wednesday he will fly to his home Amman, Transjordan, "where I shall carry on with my work".He went to the Middle East 30 years ago as an R.E. lieutenant and built himself a reputation during the last war as a second Lawrence of Arabia. May 13, 1950. (Photo by Daily Mail Contract Picture).

ENGLAND-Sgt. Arthur Dwyer, ground crew member of a B-24, is a very tired young man after many hours work on his plane. (Kodachrome #2398).

Algiers, Algeria-2nd Lt. Orlof Duker, Los Angeles, Calif., points to flak damaged tail of Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortress" flying with Northwest African Air Forces.

Royal Air Force Operations in the Middle East and North Africa, 1939-1943. The crew of Bristol Beaufort Mark I, DE108 'F', of No. 47 Squadron RAF, stand by the damaged tail of their aircraft at Shandur, Egypt, following an attack on Axis shipping.

Anefo photo collection. Dutch Army Driving Educator (inventor), Communist Driving School Colonel R.O. Van Manen. July 10, 1962

Paris International Air Show 1953. Photographs of Marshall Plan Programs, Exhibits, and Personnel

New Squadron For Richmond. This 11th Mr. Squadron. Neptunes long range anti submarine planes. Are now stationed at richmond. this shot shows one of its two engines. Which have *****. Propellors, working on them ***** L to R - LAC/Barnett, WA; LAC J. White, WA; LAC J. Pimblett, WA. June 15, 1954. (Photo by Gordon Herbert Short/Fairfax Media).;New Squadron For Richmond. This 11th Mr. Squadron. Neptunes long range anti submarine planes. Are now stationed at richmond. this shot shows one of its two

Lt. J. Hagenback Of The 94Th Fs, 1St Fg, Poses In Front Of His Lockheed P-38 Lightning At An Airfield Somewhere In Italy.

Damaged Bomber Winced Way Home From Midway ,, Sergeant Barnett, squadron armament crewman at Oahu field, inspects the damaged wingflap of a flying fortress that returned here after sinking a destroyer in the midway battle. This picture was radioed from Honolulu to San Francisco. June 11, 1942. (Photo by AP Wirephoto).

Check Up Before Take Off. A Coast Guard cameraman ground-checks his aerial camera, mounted in the blister of a PB1G (plane) prior to flight. The camera revolves laterally and vertically to provide maximum photo range - the blister-type "window" permits maximum camera angles. Five such cameras are used in making the census, two cameras per plane (two planes) and an extra grounded for emergency at the plane base. The Coast Guard counted 40,232 icebergs in the Baffin Bay area during the 1949 iceberg census. According to one of the plane crew - and many of them doubled as camera operators - this blister innovation was "swell" except for the polishing to keep it shining and clean. That was endless.

Sgt. Karl Neukirch Checks The Gun Sight In The Right Waist Blister On A Boeing B-29 "Superfortress". North Field, Guam, Marianas Islands, 4 April 1945.

Eric Bush, Male lead in" ... the Power and the Glory", ***** an Anson bomber at Camden R.A.A.F. aerodrome. August 31, 1940. (Photo by SPL)

021206-M-3031H-064. Base: Mcas, Mojave State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Captain Krauss Of The 339Th Fighter Group, Talks To Members Of His Ground Crew As They Stand Beside The North American P-51 'Umbriago' At The 8Th Air Force Station F-378 In England. 17 October 1944.

DF-SN-86-11238. Subject Operation/Series: RED FLAG Base: Nellis Air Force Base State: Nevada (NV) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DM-SN-86-06511. Base: Mojove Desert State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

A Pilot Of The 90Th Photographic Reconnaissance Wing, Steps Into The Cockpit Of His Lockheed F-5 At An Air Base Somewhere In North Africa.

A flight deck attendant signals to a M-3D tow tractor to slowly move ahead on the wet deck while respotting an aircraft on the amphibious assault ship USS GUADALCANAL (LPH-7). The ship is taking part in winter operations as part of NATO Exercise Teamwork '92. Subject Operation/Series: TEAMWORK '92 Base: Trondheim Fjord Country: Norway (NOR)

French Train as NATO Paratroopers at Pau. Photographs of Marshall Plan Programs, Exhibits, and Personnel

Challes Les Eaux, Air Cadets Center. Photographs of Marshall Plan Programs, Exhibits, and Personnel

Colonel Harry P. Leber, Commanding Officer Of The 381St Bomb Group At 8Th Air Force Station 167 In England, 3 April 1944.

Captain flyer A. Tombal (1934) in his Lockheed F-104G Starfighter.

Benjamin Foulois, Army Corps Captain () in front of sea plane

Royal Air Force- Italy, the Balkans and South-east Europe, 1942-1945. Lieutenant A Sachs SAAF seconded to No. 92 Squadron RAF, sitting on his Supermarine Spitfire Mark VIII at Canne, Italy. On 5 December 1943 Sachs scored the 99th and 100th victories for his Squadron when he shot down two Focke Wulf Fw 190s near Pescara, before colliding with a third Fw 190 and being forced to bale out. After a period as a flying instructor in the United Kingdom, he returned to Italy to command No. 93 Squadron RAF from September 1944 to February 1945.

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