The B17 'Sally B' sitting on the airfield at Duxford where it is based. The view would not be out of place in the 1940's as some were operated from grass dispersals for a period before full concrete aprons were constructed. RAF Chelveston backs onto our field where we keep the horses, and was home to the 8th Bomber Group amongst others who operated the B17 in various marks.

'Sally B' up and away at Duxford. The only B17 in full flying condition in the UK at present. Operated and financed by volunteers and contributions from the general public. Over 12,730 were produced in WW2, most, of course, long scrapped.

Well-known US fighter, the North American Aviation P51 Mustang, engined originally with the Allison V1710, later to be replaced by the Rolls-Royce Merlin in two-stage supercharged form. Very popular warbird on the show circuit, a Griffon-engined model held the propeller engined speed record for some time. The change to the (probably Packard-built V1650 Merlin 61version) merlin, a result of the difficulties involved in fitting the two-stage blown Allison engine into airframes constructed to take the single-stage blown engine.

Another Mustang, enough are resident in the UK to be able to put on quite comprehensive displays at the summer airshows. Maintenance is expensive though, engines in particular taking up much of the owner's budget for the year. Assuming the tail numbers to be original, these were built within a few months of each other.

One of a pair of North American Aviation B25 Mitchells at the Duxford show. These are relatively simple aircraft to fly and maintain, the big radials giving the aircraft a short take- off run. The aircraft was developed as a medium bomber for WW2, over 9000 were produced.

The second of the two B25's at Duxford. Interesting detail differences exist between these aircraft, although probably built within a year of each other. Radio antenna etc are different, and the pitot head appears to be in a different place. Both have cooling flaps open and they had just landed after doing their display with a third B25 and Sally B.

Bristol Fighter (F.2B) nicknamed the 'Brisfit'. Reckoned to be one of the best fighter planes in WW1. This one is flown regularly on the UK show circuit. I believe that this one resides at the Shuttleworth Collection near Biggleswade.

Battle of Britain Memorial Flight on a flypast at Duxford. Hurricane on the left, Spitfire on the right. All powered by the Rolls-Royce Merlin V12 engine. The Avro Lancaster is not as large as some would think, this picture shows a good comparison of relative sizes. This was taken later on in the afternoon as the group flew by to exit the show and return to their base. (The different radiator positions under the wings of the Spitfire and Hurricane show up reasonably well here)

Three-quarter front shot of a Hurricane doing a fly-by at Duxford at low-level. The characteristic 'hunched back' of the Hurricane can be see here, and the lack of dihedral on the wings makes it easy to differentiate from the Spitfire. You can't go by engine noise as they had the same power unit.