Photos - War in the Air

Hawker Hurricanes of No 1 Squadron, Royal Air Force, based at Wittering, Cambridgeshire, followed by a similar formation of Supermarine Spitfires of No 266 Squadron, during a flying display for aircraft factory workers, October 1940.

German Dornier Do 17 bombers over London, 7 September 1940.

The cockpit interior of a Supermarine Spitfire Mk II, August 1940.

Pilots of No. 611 Squadron walk away from a Supermarine Spitfire Mk V at Hornchurch after a daylight sweep over France, 7 July 1941.

Pilots of No. 310 (Czechoslovak) Squadron RAF in front of Hawker Hurricane Mk I at Duxford, Cambridgeshire, 7 September 1940.

Flight Lieutenant J Pattison of No. 485 Squadron RNZAF graphically recounts a combat to Squadron Leader 'Reg' Grant (left), and Flight Lieutenant R Baker (right), in front of a Spitfire at Westhampnett, 21 January 1943.

Hawker Hurricanes of No. 85 Squadron RAF, October 1940.

Short Stirling Mk III of the Empire Central Flying School about to land at Hullavington in Wiltshire, 2 December 1943.

Squadron Leader H J L Hallowes, CO of No. 122 Squadron, with his Supermarine Spitfire Mk V at Scorton in Yorkshire, December 1941.

A Hawker Hurricane Mk I of No. 85 Squadron taxiing by the light of a flare at Debden, before taking off to intercept night raiders, 14 March 1941.

Hawker Hurricane Mk I of No. 85 Squadron RAF, October 1940.

Pilot Officer A V "Taffy" Clowes of No. 1 Squadron standing by the nose of his Hawker Hurricane Mk I at Wittering, October 1940.

Hawker Hurricane Mk Is of No. 85 Squadron RAF, October 1940.

Short Sunderland Mk I of No. 210 Squadron RAF based at Oban in Scotland, escorting a Canadian troop convoy into Greenock, 31 July 1940.

Squadron Leader Robert Stanford Tuck (centre) with pilots of No. 257 Squadron RAF under the nose of Tuck's Hawker Hurricane at Martlesham Heath. They are displaying souvenirs of their action against Italian aircraft on 11 November 1940.

Wing Commander Richard 'Dickie' Milne in the cockpit of his Spitfire Mk IX at Biggin Hill, February 1943.

Portrait of Wing Commander Guy Gibson VC, 1944.

Hawker Hurricane Mk Is of No. 85 Squadron RAF during the Battle of Britain, 1940.

Flying Officer Leonard 'Ace' Haines of No. 19 Squadron on his Supermarine Spitfire Mk I at Fowlmere near Duxford, September 1940.

Supermarine Spitfire Mk Is of No. 501 Squadron RAF based at Colerne, Wiltshire, 23 May 1941.

Supermarine Spitfire of No. 603 Squadron taxiing out at Dyce in Scotland for another routine convoy patrol, 4 February 1942.

A North American Mustang Mk I of No. 168 Squadron banking over Pierrefitte-en-Cinglais in Normandy on a tactical reconnaissance sortie, August 1944. Allied tanks can be seen on the road below.

Supermarine Spitfire Mk VB of No. 165 Squadron at Gravesend, Essex, 16 October 1942.

Supermarine Spitfire Mk VBs of No. 81 Squadron RAF, June 1942.