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North American B-25 Mitchell
This medium bomber, developed in 1938 and continuously improved, proved so valuable that the US supplied
all their allies, including the Soviet Union, with this aircraft. The Mitchell saw action in the Pacific
as well as over the Atlantic. Sixteen B-25 launched from the USS Hornet participated in the famous Tokyo
Raid launched in April 1942 as a psychological hit against the Japanese.
North American P-51D Mustang
One of the finest piston-engined fighters of all time, the Mustang claimed the distinction in the
Second Word War of being the first single-engined combat plane, based in Britain, to reach Berlin. The
D version of this fighter was armed with six 12,7-millimeter Browning M2 machine guns and propelled by a 1490 HP
Packard Merlin engine. 'This.Is.It!' is a surviving Mustang that today serves as a valuable restoration
piece and has flown in some airshows in California.
Short Stirling
The angular Stirling completes the trio of wartime British heavies: it was the first four-engined bomber
to come into RAF service in the Second World War and took part in the famous attacks on the Scharnhorst
and Gneisenau German cruisers. When replaced as a night-bomber it continued in use for mine-laying,
transport and as a glider tug.
Short Sunderland III
Famous for its long-range reconnaissance flights in the Second World War, the Sunderland justifiably
earned the nickname 'Flying Porcupine' from its enemies due to its heavy defensive armament. It later
saw service in the Berlin airlift and the Korean War.
Supermarine Spitfire Mk 1a
Victor of the Battle of Britain and one of the finest fighter aircraft of the Second World War, armed
with eight 7,7-millimeter Browning M1919 machine guns and propelled by a 1030 HP Rolls-Royce Merlin engine.
Supermarine Spitfire VB
One of the greatest fighter aircraft of the Second World War, the Spitfire established a reputation in
the Battle of Britain that carried through the war years and has survived in the memory to this day. The
prototype Spitfire made its first flight in March 1936, and in all a total of 22,759 aircraft were built.
The Mk VB was one of the largest production variants, armed with two 20-millimeter Hispano cannons and two 7,7-millimeter
Browning machine guns, and propelled by a 1470 HP Rolls-Royce Merlin engine. The one depicted in the
illustration was flown by Flight Lieutenant Neville Duke of the RAF No 92 Squadron in Libya in January
1943.
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