Mitsubishi A6M3 Reisen (Zero) - New Zealand 01abr2010

Boeing 6 B-1 - Seatle-Washington 1920

Edward Hubbard commenced using this B-1 flying boat on a pioneering Air Mail route from Lake Union to Victoria BC on 15 October 1920. This was Boeing's first true commercial aircraft design. N-ABNA is now deservedly preserved at Seattle.

Photo obtained from Boeing 60 years ago.

Avro 567 Avenger II - Woodford-UK 1928

The Avenger was a private venture design for a single seat fighter and first flew on 26 June 1926. It was modified in 1928 with equal span wings and a more

powerful Napier Lion IX of 553 h.p. In this form it was designated the Avenger II and competed in air races that year. It was dismantled in 1931. Obtained from

Avro 60 years ago.

Avro 706 Ashton I - UK1950

 This was the prototype Ashton and was used by Avro and A&AEE Boscombe Down for several years in development work on jet engines and other equipment.

Obtained from Avro 50 years ago.

Douglas R3D-1 (DC-5) USA Navy - Oakland-USA-California abril1941

Twelve 16-22 seat DC-5's were built in 1939/40 with KLM being the only civil operator. The U.S. Navy bought seven new examples of the R3D and the prototype

was impressed by them. 1902 was delivered to NAS Anacostia in July 1940. It is seen visting the US Weat Coast wearing Anacostia titles. The U.S. national

marking had no bars at this time and was not marked on the fuselage. Taken by F. Shertzer and image given to me by William T. Larkins 40 years ago for publication.

No DC-5's survive..

Lockheed 9B Orion Swissair - Dubendorf-Switzerland 1932

The first of two Orion 9B's delivered to Swissair in 1932. These were the fastest airliners of the day - 195 mph cruise for 580 miles with a 575 hp Wright Cyclone and retractable u/c. 6/8 passengers. The cockpit cover is in the open position.

Painted red overall. From Swissair 60 years ago.

Boeing 247D - USA 1933

The Model 247 first flew on 8 February 1933 and by the end of June United Airlines had 30 in service. Until the advent of the Douglas DC-2, the 247's ruled US skies.

Obtained from UAL 60 years ago.

Fairey Barracuda II UK Navy - Manchester-UK 24jun1944

Newly built at Ringway, this Barracuda is being prepared for delivery by the ground staff of the based 14 Ferry Pool, Air Transport Auxiliary. It was ferried by

the pilot shown to No. 812 Squadron FAA. 

Boeing 377-10-30 Stratocruiser Northwest Airlines - Seatle-Washington 1949

This image gives a good view of both the Stratocruiser and the Seattle-Tacoma terminal building. N74602 was delivered to NWAL on 22 June 1949 and served

until sale to Lockheed in 1959. Scrapped in 1963.

Boeing 377-10-26 Stratocruiser Pan American World Airways - PAA - USA-Washington 1948

Bristol 149 Blenheim Mk4 UK A FBristol-UK 1941

Late production Blenheim IV fitted with under-nose gun position. Type was used by Bomber and Coastal Commands (who operated this example). It was built by

Avro and Rootes in addition to Bristols, from whom photo was obtained.

Avro 563 Andover - Hamble-UK abr1925

There were four Andover biplanes built in the mid 1920s. This was the sole civil example which first flew in 1925 and was loaned to Imperial Airways for tests, but

no orders were placed for this large 12-seater. To RAF J7264 in January 1927.

Boeing 40B United Airlines - USA 1930

The Model 40 was Boeing's first passenger aircraft. Two pax sat in the forward cabin and up to 2500 lbs of U.S. Mail was carried. C.A.M.18 was from San

Francisco to Chicago - as marked on the "Arrow" insignia. The 525 h.p. P&W Hornet gave the 40B a cruise of 110 mph over 550 miles.

Fairey Gannet AS1UK Navy - set1957

Gannet AS.1's of 815 Squadron Fleet Air Arm serving aboard HMS Ark Royal. XA344 is near left with XA321 beyond it. Also present are Sea Hawk FGA.6s with

XE390 of 898 Squadron nearest. Also Sea Venoms and a rescue Whirlwind.

Avro 549C Aldershot IV - Hamble-UK 1927

The Aldershot was a large long range heavy bomber which served 99 Squadron RAF from 1924 until 1926. There were two prototypes and 15 production

examples. J6852 was the first to fly in early 1922. It was later modified as the Type 549C with an 850 h.p. Beardmore Typhoon as seen here.

Bristol 167 Brabazon Mk1 - Bristol Aircraft - Bristol-Filton-UK 03set1949

Bristol 167 Brabazon Mk1 - Bristol Aircraft - Bristol-Filton-UK 04set1949

The sole Brabazon on finals to its Filton birthplace at the conclusion of its 2 1/2 hour second test flight. Pwered by eight Centaurus piston engines coupled in

pairs. A second example, to be powered by Proteus turboprops was registered as G-AIML but broken up when half complete. G-AGPW was dismantled at Filton in

October 1953.

Douglas DC-4E - USA-California 1939

The DC-4E was designed to have twice the capacity of the DC-3 with a range of 2200 miles. Provision was made for pressurisation, but was not fitted. The

prototype first flew on 7 June 1938. After testing, it was handed over to United in 1939 for airline trials, but was deemed to be too large and complex for airline

demand of the day. The small upper windows were to illuminate sleeping accommodation. Sold to Japan in late 1939.

Bristol 188 Bristol Airplanes Co - UK 1962

The first prototype Bristol 188 (of two completed) on a test flight soon after its first flight on 14 April 1962. The stainless steel aircraft was primarily used for supersonic tests to determine the effect of heating on aircraft structures. It

reached Mach 1.88 - 1440 mph. After retirement, sent to Shoeburyness where it was destructively tested.

Bristol 192 Belvedere HC1 - Weston-super-Mare-UK 1958

Boeing B&W - Lake Union-USA-Washington 1916

The two B & W biplanes were the first aircraft built during 1916 by Bill Boeing's new company at their hangar and slipway on Seattle's Lake Union. They were

tested by the U.S. Navy but sold in 1917 to New Zealand as trainers and mailplanes. A replica was built in 1966.