English Electric Canberra in formation with two Hawker Hunters, 1983

 

Vickers Valiant bombers, the first of Britain's "V-bomber" force designed for nuclear deterrent missions during the Cold War. The image shows a line-up of these bombers, likely at RAF Gaydon in the mid-1950s. The Valiant first flew in 1951 and entered service in 1955, featuring a high-mounted swept wing and four Rolls-Royce Avon turbojet engines. The entire fleet was grounded and retired in January 1965 due to structural failures.

 

Handley Page Victor, with crew on standby during the Cold War, and a Victor on sentry duty outside RAF Marham, Norfolk.

 

English Electric Canberra PR 9's, and one Lancaster.

 

Hawker Siddeley Nimrod, maritime patrol aircraft developed and operated by the United Kingdom.

 

English Electric Lightnings.

 

RAF English Electric Canberra, all weather fighter.

 

Scrambling a Handley Page Victor during the Cold War in the 50's.

 

A British Spitfire, about to flip the wing of a German V-1 flying bomb in order to knock the gyroscope off balance and change its trajectory away from London.

 

Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II, ZM 168, in a hangar at RAF Marham.

 

A wildcat being loaded onto an RAF C17.

 

Avro Vulcan XH558.

 

Avro Lancaster over Ladybower Dam, Derbyshire.

 

This photo is based on a stunt performed by former RAF and Red Arrows pilot Ray Hanna in a Spitfire in 1988 in Winston, North Yorkshire. It was shot for the BBC series, "A Piece of Cake."

 

RAF ZM412 Airbus A400M Atlas C.1

 

The Victor 2 bomber fleet was withdrawn in 1968. The conversion of 24 Mk.II aircraft to tankers was then carried out.

 

1936 the Westland Lysander prototype made its first flight, and before the month was out it appeared at the Society of British Aerospace Companies Display at Hatfield.

 

Only two Avro Lancasters left flying. One in the UK and one in Canada.

 

The last remaining RAF Blackburn Beverly.

 

Short Sunderland MK.III.