Pilots and Fighter Aircraft

Historical photos of pilots in cockpits of fighter planes, capturing moments before takeoff during WWII.

England-Lt. Godfrey (left)...

England-Lt. Godfrey (left)...

Lt. William T. Vantresse of Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. 12th Bomber Command pilot, is credited with shooting down two German planes, JU 88 and ME 210, on the same day in an anti-shipping sweep in the straits of Sicily. North Africa, 13 February 1943.

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

Lt. Colonel Young Seated In The Cockpit Of A Republic P-47 At An Air Base Somewhere In England. 12 July 1944.

Adspirant reserve officer-kite o.p. Koch van de Aviation Division (LVA) in the cockpit of probably a breeder S.9.

Aircraft, Burma, India &CREWS,FIGHTER War

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.

Capt. George Laven, Jr. of San Antonio, Texas, who has 2 Zero's to his credit and Lt. Stanley Long of Marquette, Michigan who has a four motored bomber to his credit.

With Maj. Gen. Doolittle's Mitchell Bombers -S/Sgt. Billy Dykes, Meridian, Miss., upper-turret gunner on a B-25, looking over Gerbini airfield, Sicily. Below Billy is the rent in the fuselage where the flak entered. He received only minor face and

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.

Final Check And Inspection Of Rocket Launcher Are Made By A Ground Crewman. The Rocket Has Three Sections: Fuse, War-Head And Motor. The Acceleration Of Projectile Opens Six Fins That Are Folded Into Body Of Rocket Before Projectile. France.

ENGLAND-Lt. William C. Rowland, B-24 Co-pilot, from New Castle, Pa., has 30 missions to his credit and has the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters. (Kodachrome #2402).

After months of fighting on the Italian fronts, veterans board ATC's C-54s to be returned to the United States. Casablanca, Morocco.

Aviation 1067 - North American T28B. August 14, 1953.

Royal Air Force Operations in the Middle East and North Africa, 1939-1943. Pilot Office S Linnard of No. 80 Squadron RAF, views the artwork on his Gloster Gladiator from the cockpit. at Sidi Barrani, Egypt, a few days after taking part in a major engagement with Italian fighters over Bir el Gobi, Libya, on 8 August 1940, in which the Squadron claimed nine Fiat CR.42s shot down for the loss of two Gladiators. Dunn himself was credited with two CR.42s during the fight.

Shah Flies Jet -- The Shah talking to Squadron leader W.A. Waterton, (centre) Chief test pilot to the, Gloster aircraft company. During his visit to the Bristol Aeroplane company is works the Shah of Persia displayed his prowess as a pilot when he flew a Gloster Meteor Mark 6 jet fighter at 600 m.p.h. July 31, 1948. (Photo by Reuterphoto).

1St Lt. John W. Berry Of Bowling Green, Ohio, A Martin B-26 Pilot, Is A Transferee From The Royal Air Force. Because Of His Size, Lt. Berry Needs Three Cushions Behind Him And Two Underneath To Prop Himself Up Behind The Controls Of His Plane. Here He I

1940S Wwii Marine Corp Technician With Woman Reservist Inspecting Fighter Aircraft On The Air Field

Maj. Sam J. Brown, Tulsa, Okla., Commanding Officer of a North American P-51 Mustang fighter squadron of the Mediterranean Allied Air Forces in Italy, is shown here pointing to the 13 swastikas on his plane which represent the destruction of 13 Nazi

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

S/Sgt. Leon E. Piatek, Thorp, Wisconsin poses beside a plane at an air base somewhere in England.

S/Sgt. George R. Fierbaugh, Palestine, Wv, Looking Grimly Satisfied, Poses By His Finished Product -- An Anti-Mud Cover To Keep His Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortress" Ball Turret Window Clean On Takeoff. By Grasphing The Handle Thru A Floor Hatch He Removes T

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

Flight Officer Herbert Hansen, Jr., 423 W. 34Th Street, Houston, Tx, A Fighter Group Pilot, Demonstrates The Tremendous Size Of The Bomb Carrying Republic P-47 Thunderbolt He Flies With The 12Th Af In Italy By Climbing Into The Airscoop Within The Cowling

A Member Of The 94Th Fighter Squadron, 1St Fighter Group, Checks Radio Equipment In A Lockheed P-38 Lightning At An Airfield Somewhere In Italy.

A U.S. Air Force pilot briefs Italian air force GEN Basilio Cottone, commander, 5th Allied Tactical Air Force, NATO, on an aircraft cockpit. Base: Aviano Air Base State: Pordenone Country: Italy (ITA)

"The World in 1955". Photographs of Marshall Plan Programs, Exhibits, and Personnel

325Th Fg, 317Th Sq Maj. Gerschel H. Green, 15Th Aaf Fighter Pilot, Is Shown Here Getting Ready To Take Off From His Base In Southern Italy. Maj. Green, The Son Of Mr. Ted Green, 503 N. 6Th St., Mayfield, Kentucky, Is A Versatile Fighter Pilot, Having

U.S. Thunderjets Arrive at Reims. Photographs of Marshall Plan Programs, Exhibits, and Personnel

Capt. Webb, pilot of the 90th Photographic Reconnaissance Wing, poses on his Lockheed F-5 at an air base somewhere in North Africa.

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

You are looking down from the radio room through the bomb bay of a U.S. Army 8th A.F. bomber. A couple of USAAF ordnance men are preparing two 500-lb high explosive bombs which are still on the bomb cart before being lifted into position and fixed

Royal Air Force Operations in Malta, Gibraltar and the Mediterranean, 1939-1945. Squadron Leader J J Lynch, Commanding Officer of No. 249 Squadron RAF, sits in the cockpit of his Supermarine Spitfire Mark VC at Krendi, Malta, as an airman chalks 'Malta's 1,000th' below his victory tally. Lynch, an American who joined the RAF in 1941, served with No. 71 (Eagle) Squadron RAF in the United Kingdom before being posted to 249 Squadron in Malta in Novembe 1942. He became a flight commander in early 1943 and was given the command of the Squadron in March. He enjoyed much success during operations over the sea route between Sicily and Tunisia, and, on the 28 April 1943, shot down a Junkers Ju 52 five miles north of Cap Cefalu which was assessed as being the 1,000th enemy aircraft shot down by Malta-based units since the start of the war. Lynch transferred to the USAAF in July 1943 having scored 10 and 7 shared victories with the RAF.

Col. Ray J. Stecker...

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.

While on an inspection tour of 15th Air Force groups in Southern Italy, Lt. General B.M. Giles, Chief of Staff of U.S. AAF, visited this veteran North American P-51 Mustang fighter base of the 52nd Fighter Group, where he is shown chatting with Col.

Last flight with an F-86K of 700 Squadron from the Twente airbase.

M61-00012 (20 Jan. 1961) --- Astronaut Alan B. Shepard Jr. pictured on the flight line climbing aboard a F-106 aircraft.

An air gunner of No. 264 Squadron RAF about to enter the gun turret of his Boulton Paul Defiant Mk I at Kirton-in-Lindsey, Lincolnshire, August 1940. An air-gunner of No. 264 Squadron RAF about to enter the gun-turret of his Boulton Paul Defiant Mark I at at Kirton-in-Lindsey, Lincolnshire. He is wearing the GQ Parasuit, supplied exclusively to Defiant gunners, which incorporates a parachute harness and life-saving jacket within a smock overall. Four .303 Browning machine-guns are mounted in the Boulton Paul power-operated turret.

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.

Turkey. before take-off. 1942

Lt. Cecil V Henderson Of Stockton, Calif., A Bombardier In A Consolidated B-24 Liberator Group Of The 15Th Aaf In Italy, Is Proud Of His Successful Bomb Strikes And Chalks Them Up To His Plane As A Victory Sign, Double Checked With A Miniature Bomb.

03/31/1914. The French aviator captain Herve, who has been murdered by the Moors in Morocco.

2 pounder anti-tank gun. July 1, 1941.

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.

England - Capt. Raymond H. Littge, Of Altenburg, Mo., Brought His Score To 23 1/2 German Planes Destroyed (10 1/2 In Air, 13 Ground) By Adding Nine Ground Kills To His Record In Two Days Of Ground Strafing. The 21 Year Old 352Nd North American P-51 Mustang

Photograph of Coast Guardsman with Aviators.

Capt. Yorke, pilot of the 90th Photographic Reconnaissance Wing, poses on his Lockheed F-5 at an air base somewhere in North Africa.

Lt. Charles W. Tribken, Jr. leaves his Curtiss P-40 after a mission over E. Alamein, North Africa.

The Plexi-glass nose of this Boeing B-17 Flying ofrtress was not removed by mechanics, it was shot during a savage attack by swarms of FW 109s after a raid over Northwest Germany. This picture of "Old Bill" was taken a few minutes after the wounded

A proud Partisan stands guard over one of the Consolidated B-24 "Liberators" of the 15th Air Force that made a forced landing on a Dalmation Island. When planes come down, Partisan men and women eagerly help the crews and assist in clearing the

Photograph of Japanese Planes Wrecked During the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor

Captain kite J.G. NOEST, born in 1904.

Indian Springs, Nevada , Nuclear weapons testing, Airplanes, Measuring, Civil defense. Records of the Office of Civil Defense and Defense Mobilization

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

Monty Is Here -- Viscount Montgomery saluting as he leaves the plane at Blackbushe to-day, Monday.Field Marshal Viscount Montgomery arrived at Blackbushe Airport, Surrey, to-day (Thursday) to take up his new post of Chief of the Imperial General Staff. He flew from Germany in a Dakota aircraft. With him came his pet canary "Erbie", plentifully supplied with lettuce.The Field Marshal was met at the airport by Lieut. General E.E.W. Simpson, Vice-Chief of the Imperial General Staff. May 02, 1946.

Destroys Enemy Mig -- Col. Francis S. Gabreski, commander of the veteran 51st Flighter Interceptor wing and USAF F-86 Sabrejet pilot, shot down one MIG-15, his fourth of the Korean war, January 11 over North Korea, Other 51st Sabremen destroyed two and damaged one MIG jet aircraft to boost the unit's overall score to 14 destroyed, two probably destroyed and 23 damaged since converting to F-86s on December 1. Col. Gabreski's personal score now stands at four destroyed and one damaged. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Gabryezewski, Grandview Road, Oil City, Pa. His Wife, Mrs.Catherine Gabreski, resides at Selfridge Air Force Base, Mich. January 12, 1952. (Photo by USAF Photo)

The arm rest used by 1st Lt. Joe R. Hollaway, Jr., 210 East 68th Street, Shreveport, La., pictured here, was provided by a German shell which pierced one blade of his propeller during a recent ofray over France. The shell penetrated the widest part

Major Donovan F. Smith in Odiham, England. Major Donovan F. Smith in Odiham, England. "Odiham, England, Major Donovan F. Smith of Dowagiac, Michigan, Group Operations Officer of the 56th Fighter Group was one of the first of the sixteen F-80 Shooting Star jet pilots to touch down at Odiham RAF Station near London, England, at the completion of the U.S. Air Force's pioneer jet propelled trans-Atlantic flight.". 1940 - 1983.

R.A.F. Spitfire Pilot S/Ldr E.M. Gibbs, now ***** in Australia. March 5, 1943.

Helmshera, Netherlands East Indies-Waist gunners go into an alert along with the rest of the crew as the giant bomber begins its bomb run. Flak suits and helmets are donned for added protection. The gunners are, left to right: T/Sgt. George M.

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

Italian poet writer aviator Gabriele D Annunzio 1863 to 1938 right during his service with the Italian Air Force

Lowell Thomas in cockpit of A-26

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.

Photo collection Service for army contacts Indonesia. DLC Inspectorate General H.J. Curls by Indonesia. 2nd Infantry Brigade Group General curls in a jeep. Behind him General Dürst Britt. May 2, 1947. Indonesia, Dutch East Indies

Photograph of Lt. Lawrence of VF-50, training, aboard USS Bataan (CVL-29)

Command transfer 2nd tactical hunting group. Lt.kol.hansen transfers the command to Major Poublon.links Major Kite-Observer C.A.M. Poublon and right lieutenant-colonel-flyer-observer L.W. Hansen for a Republic F-84F Thunderstreak.

A marine officer stands on the floats on seaplane S 2 A marine officer stands on floats on seaplane S 2, Heinkel He 1

021206-M-3031H-008. State: District Of Columbia (DC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Coast Guard Speeds Rep. Nixon to Washington -- Rep. Richard M. Nixon (R-cal) was removed from Panama-bound ship in Caribbean Sea by Coast Guard plane to rush back to Washington for an American activities committee meeting.He hops from CG plane to crash boat to go ashore at Miami. A Navy plane will rush him on to Washington. December 05, 1948. (Photo by AP Wirephoto).

Lt. Charles S. Gallup, 7650 Yates Ave., Chicago, Illinois At His Airbase In New Guinea.

Wing Commander Frank Carey, Officer Commanding the Air Firing Training Unit, based at Amarda Road, India, standing by the nose of a Hawker Hurricane, April 1943. Wing Commander F R Carey, when Officer Commanding the Air Firing Training Unit, based at Amarda Road, India, standing by the nose of a Hawker Hurricane.

WASPs Around a Curtiss A-25A Making Last Minute Check-Up Before Taking Off, Army Air Field, Camp Davis, North Carolina. WASPs Around a Curtiss A-25A Making Last Minute Check-Up Before Taking Off, Army Air Field, Camp Davis, North Carolina.

With the Fleet Air Arm - Malta Gc. An Aircrew inspect their rubber dinghy and contents.

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

1St Lt. H.J. Blum, Minneapolis, Minn., Poses Beside The Boeing B-17 'Bugs, The Golden-Gopher' At An Air Base In Europe.

Photo collection Service for army contacts Indonesia. DLC Recordings military aviation. Sergeant Major KliL with an airplane. January 1947. Indonesia, Dutch East Indies

Lt. L. Hunt Of The 352Nd Fighter Squadron, 353Rd Fighter Group, Chats With A Member Of The Ground Crew Which Serviced His Republic P-47 "Bobbie Baby" At A Fighter Base In England.

Europe - North American P-51 Mustang Pilot Major Clarence E. Anderson, Jr., Of The 357Th Fighter Group, Congratulates His Crew Chief, Sgt. Leon E. Zimmermann For His Part In The Team Work That Has Made Possible Anderson'S Amazing Total Of 480 Operational

Lt. Donald D. Perkins, P-51 Pilot Of The 8Th Air Force In England.

Photo collection Service for army contacts Indonesia. DLC (surgery crow) departure airport Semarang, arrival at Djokja airport. Two Dutch soldiers posing at a republican plane. December 19, 1948. Indonesia, Dutch East Indies

General Douglas MacArthur with Lieut. Colonel H. C. Godman (Palo Alto, Calif) who piloted the General on his first flight in his new command plane (Bataan) on a visit to front areas in the Southwest Pacific Area. January 01, 1944. (Photo by U.S. Signal Corps Photo).

Royal Air Force Marine Branch, 1939-1945. Flying Officer G Lockwood, Master of High Speed Launch HSL 156 of No. 28 Air Sea Rescue Unit, based at Newhaven, Sussex, speaking to base while in the lookout cockpit of his vessel. Lockwood was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in 1945, for his skill in rescuing aircrews from the English Channel.

Anefo photo collection. Major Flinterman. August 31, 1949

The Royal Navy during the Second World War The pilot of a Grumman Wildcat, at readiness in HMS FENCER, makes himself comfortable in the cockpit with a book and a sunshade during a recent hot spell.

"Hottest tail in town." Preparing his tail guns in last minute readiness is S/Sgt. Joseph F. Kotlarz, son of Mrs. Stella Kotlarz, 2820 F St. Omaha, Nebr. Sgt. Kotlarz reigns over the tail gun position in the ofrtress, "KIPLING'S ERROR III" which is

Lieut. Madon

Royal Air Force- East Africa Command, 1940-1945. Pilot Officer Kennedy of No. 47 Squadron RAF Detachment inspects the damage to his Vickers Wellesley, K7715 'KU-H', at Agordat, Eritrea, after he was attacked by two Fiat CR 42s while on a bombing sortie over Keren on 25 March 1941. His air gunner, Sergeant German, was mortally wounded and the port wing was set on fire. Kennedy executed a vertical dive to put out the flames and returned to the Detachment's base at Agordat, where he crashed on landing.

Navy Fighter Pilots Aboard a British Aircraft Carrier. 4 January 1943, Aboard HMS Formidable. Sub-lieutenant S G Hamblet, RNZNVR, from Dunedin, New Zealand.

A corporal aircraft maker cooperates with a colleague at a motorbike at MarineVliegkamp Valkenburg in the period 1960-1970.

Royal Air Force 1939-1945- Fighter Command Squadron Leader Edward 'Jack' Charles, commanding No 611 Squadron, chalks up the Biggin Hill Sector's 1,000th enemy aircraft, following a successful sweep over Normandy on 15 May 1943. That afternoon, Charles shot down two FW190s, while the CO of No 341 Squadron, Commandant Rene Mouchotte, destroyed another. As it was not clear which of the two pilots had secured the 1,000th kill, the honours - and sweepstake of GBP300 - were shared between them.

Sergeant Lincoln Orville Lynch DFM, a West Indian air gunner serving with No. 102 Squadron, by the rear turret of his Halifax at RAF Pocklington, February 1944. West Indians in the Royal Air Force: Sergeant Lincoln Orville Lynch DFM, an air gunner serving with No 102 Squadron, Royal Air Force, photographed wearing his flying kit by the rear turret of a Handley Page Halifax at Pocklington, Lincolnshire. Lynch, from Jamaica, volunteered for service in the RAF in 1942, and in 1943 won the Air Gunner's trophy for obtaining the highest percentage of his course during his training in Canada. On his first operational flight with No 102 Squadron he shot down a German Junkers Ju 88.

021206-M-3031H-076. State: Guadalcanal Country: Solomon Islands (SLB)

Colonel Benjamin O. Davis at an air base in Ramittelli, Italy, photograph by Toni Frissell, March 1945.

The Dutch army is practicing in La Courtine. V.l.n.r. In the AMX PRI The C-1LK Lgen P. Gips, the commander Lgen Le Fèvre de Montigny, with Baret Colonel Bartels and an unknown general major. Pay attention! The above description is a generic series description based on the information stated by the army film and photo service. In the long term, this global description will be specified.

The Royal Canadian Air Force in Tunisia, April 1943 A pilot of No 417 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force climbing into the cockpit of his Supermarine Spitfire fighter at Goubrine.

Army Pilot Trains - Cpl. P.J. Grimshaw of the 1st Ground Liason Group, C.M.F. who is training for a pilot at the Kingsford Smith Air Training School, Bankstown checks over a map prior to doing his 22nd hour.Grimshaw is one of four army men who are doing this course to become Army Pilots.The men do their flying in the Auster aircraft. July 23, 1955. (Photo by Winton Irving/Fairfax Media).

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

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