A biplane, reconnaissance aircraft with a crew of 3 or 4 which equipped 3 and 22 squadrons RAF before passing to the Fleet Air Arm. Produced in two variants. BISON Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment, RAF Felixstowe. Developed seaplanes and flying boats until World War Two, when the establishment moved to Helensburg, Scotland. FELIXSTOWE Single-engine, single-seat carrierborne fighter: a Spitfire VB fitted with an arrester hook. Modifications on later versions included folding wings, rocket-assisted take-off gear and conversion for photo-reconnaissance duties. SEAFIRE P39 AIRACOBRA Single-seat fighter-bomber with a single, midships engine and tricycle landing gear. After proving a failure as an air-combat fighter, was used mainly in the ground attack role. Highly successful, two-seat, biplane fighter and reconnaissance aircraft with both forward and rear facing guns. Designed to replace the BE2, it entered service with the RFC in mid-1917 and remained in service until 1932. F2b BRISTOL F2B AIRCO DH1 A single-seat, pusher prop, escort and patrol-fighter. Used in the UK in a Home Defence role until superseded in 1917. Dh1 AIRCRAFT Twin-engined, single-seat fighter-bomber. Flown by USAAF fighter groups from 1942, excelled as a ground-support fighter. Could carry two 1600 lb bombs or rocket projectiles. P38 LIGHTNING BOEING The Boeing Aircraft Company, established 1916. A subsidiary of The Boeing Airplane Company. Notable aircraft produced include the B17 Flying Fortress and the B29 Superfortress. Three-seat, twin-engined minelaying, torpedo-bombing and reconnaissance twin-float seaplane. First flown in 1936, in 1938 it set eight world speed records for its class in various range and payload categories. HE115 A twin-engined, multi-role aircraft built by Junkers. Originally designed as a medium bomber with the speed of a fighter, but its adaptability allowed it to fulfil the roles of night fighter, torpedo-bomber, anti-tank aircraft and photo-reconnaissance. JU88 The Republic Aviation Corporation. Developed from the Seversky Aircraft Corporation, founded by Alexander P. de Seversky in 1931 after the collapse of his previous company, the Seversky Aero Corporation, in the 1929 stock market crash. REPUBLIC LANCASTER Four-engined bomber, developed by Avro from the twin-engined Manchester. Entered service in 1942 as the RAF's principal night bomber and took part in the 1,000 bomber raids as well as the famous Dam Busters raid. FW200 Condor Long-range, four-engine reconnaissance-bomber. Initially produced as a transport, converted and used against Allied convoys in the Channel and the Atlantic. Also served as a VIP transport, one of which was the Immelmann III: Hitler's personal aircraft. BOTHA Four-crew, twin-engined monoplane designed as a torpedo-bomber and reconnaissance aircraft for RAF Coastal Command. Withdrawn from operations in November 1940 and downgraded to a trainer. Prefect A two-seat trainer chosen to replace the Avro 504. 380 entered RAF service with many finding their way onto the civilian market at the end of their careers. TUTOR Generally understood to mean aircraft whose normal loaded weight is less than 2750kg (6060 lb). LIGHT AIRCRAFT The Glenn L. Martin Company, established in 1909 by Glenn L Martin. Produced the first successful American-designed twin-engined aeroplane, the Martin Twin, which was then converted for use as a passenger aircraft. MARTIN Liberator American, four-engined, long range, medium/heavy day bomber. Produced in greater numbers than any other American aircraft during the war. B24 LIBERATOR AIRCO DH4 Dh4 A two-seat, single-engine bomber. Fast, versatile and well armed, but with a fuel tank poorly placed between pilot and gunner, was considered to be the best day bomber of the First World War. Later entered civil service. Formed in 1935 by Lawrence D. Bell, Ray P. Whitman and Robert J. Woods, who left the Consolidated Aircraft Corporation when it moved its factory from Buffalo to San Diego. Sub-contracted work before its first original design, the XFM-1, in 1937. BELL Fleet Air Arm fighter and torpedo-bomber, designed for operation from aircraft carriers. All-metal in construction, it entered service in 1944 and was rendered obsolete after the war by the advent of the jet aircraft. FIREBRAND PERCIVAL The Percival Aircraft Company was formed in 1932 and re-organized as Percival Aircraft Ltd. in 1937, when the works moved from Gravesend to Luton. FW190 Single-seat, single-engine fighter-bomber and ground-attack aircraft. Entered service with the Luftwaffe in mid-1941. Approximately 20,000 were constructed between 1941 and the end of the war. AVRO 504 An important two-seat, tractor biplane, initially used by the RFC in a reconnaissance role and by the RNAS as a bomber. Later converted to a single-seat Home Defence fighter and ultimately used as a trainer. 504 BLENHEIM British twin-engined light/medium bomber developed from the model 142 civil transport. Noted for its speed, this three-crew monoplane had an all-metal, stressed skin structure and a 1000lb bomb load. Seven/eight-crew, heavy night-bomber. The first four-engine bomber to join the RAF, with a bomb load of 14000 lb, entered service in 1940. SuperSeded as a bomber by the Lancaster and Halifax, later versions served as transports and tugs. STIRLING Single-engine, single-seat interceptor fighter developed from the race-winning Schneider Trophy seaplanes. One of the most famous of all combat aircraft, entered RAF service in 1938 and was still in use in the 1950s. SPITFIRE ME109 Bf109 Single-engine, single-seat fighter manufactured by Messerschmitt. First used as part of Germany's Condor legion during the Spanish Civil War, the 'one-o-nine' was the Luftwaffe's most widely used fighter seeing service throughout World War II. SISKIN Single-engine, single-seat biplane day fighter developed by Siddeley. Variations included an all-metal, fabric-covered Mk.III, which became the RAF's main fighter in the 1920s. The Brewster Aeronautical Corporation was founded in 1932, taking over the plant, equipment, designs and goodwill of Brewster & Co., Inc.'s aircraft division. Initially manufacturing seaplane components, later designed and produced complete aircraft. BREWSTER ENGLISH ELECTRIC The English Electric Company Limited. Formed in 1918, but didn't move into aircraft production until 1938, at the Government's request. Continued to develop aircraft after the war and in 1948 produced the `Canberra', Britain's first jet-propelled bomber. Founded by Professor Willy Messerschmitt as the Bayerische Flugzeugwerke. Reconstituted in 1938 as the Messerschmitt A.G.. MESSERSCHMITT HALIFAX Four-engine, seven-crew heavy bomber. Entered service with RAF Bomber Command in 1940, becoming one of the twin sources of bomber strength along with the Lancaster. Also used for transport and glider tug duties. A single-seat fighter which began service with the RFC's fighter squadron in 1916. Some short-term success in dealing with new Fokkers but was withdrawn from service in mid-1917. Dh2 AIRCO DH2 Transport version of the four-engined Lancaster bomber. Serving from 1943 to 1951, and all metal in construction, this aircraft was used extensively during the Berlin airlift. YORK P47 THUNDERBOLT Single-seat, single-engine fighter-bomber. Fitted with eight fixed forward-firing machine guns in the wings, plus two 1000lb bombs or six rocket projectiles. American, four-engine, long range, heavy strategic bomber. Entered service in 1943 and used exclusively against Japanese forces. The B29s Enola Gay and Bock's Car were used to drop atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. Superfortress B29 SUPERFORTRESS Also known as the C-47 Skytrain, this twin-engined, military transport was developed from the DC-3 twenty-eight-seat commercial airliner and was the most extensively employed transport of the Second World War. C47 Skytrain DAKOTA BEAUFORT Twin-engined, four-seat torpedo-bomber designed to replace the Vildebeest. Entered service with RAF Coastal Command in 1939. Later versions incorporated a remote-controlled machine gun with periscope sight. Single-engine, single-seat fighter-bomber developed from the Typhoon and the Tornado. Entered service in 1944 with its greatest success being in destroying V.1. flying bombs. One of the fastest World War 2 aircraft, with a top speed of 436 mph. TEMPEST The Fairey Aviation Co. Ltd., established 1916 by Sir Richard Fairey. During WW2 formed a group production scheme with Blackburn Aircraft, Ltd. and Boulton Paul Aircraft, Ltd.. FAIREY CATALINA American-built, twin-engined flying-boat designed for maritime patrol and reconnaissance. Entered US Naval service in 1936 as the PBY-1; christened the Catalina by the RAF, who used it from 1939 on. LERWICK Six-crew, medium-range, twin-engined reconnaissance flying-boat. Entered service with 209 Squadron in 1939 but, due to design and operation problems, saw little action and was not produced in large numbers. Single-engine, advanced-pilot trainer used in secondary flying training schools. Serving from 1939-50, was also used as a target tug for gunnery practice. MASTER Noorduyn Aviation Limited. Formed in 1934 by Mr R.B.C. Noorduyn as a successor to Noorduyn Aircraft Limited, which was formed in 1933. The company's most notable production aircraft was the Norseman transport. NOORDUYN Single-engine fighter/dive-bomber. The Fleet Air Arm's first operational monoplane, and its first aircraft to shoot down an enemy during the war. SKUA Fo108 Single-engine, testbed monoplane built to Air Ministry Specification 43/37. Only twelve were produced, the first of which tested the Sabre I engine in 1940, and were used throughout the war. The cockpit could seat two observers behind the pilot. FOLLAND FO108 ANSON Twin-engined monoplane originally designed as a reconnaissance aircraft, but also widely used as a trainer. Entered RAF service in 1936. Single-engine, two-crew fighter, also used for convoy escort and reconnaissance. Designed to operate from aircraft carriers. Entered service with the Fleet Air Arm in 1940 and remained in use until 1945. FULMAR Dh18b DE HAVILLAND DH18B Large, single-engine, eight passenger airliner biplane. FIREFLY A single-engine, photo-reconnaissance fighter designed for operation from aircraft carriers. Later adapted as a night fighter, it entered service in 1943 and remained in production until 1956. TEST AIRCRAFT An aircraft designed for the testing of engines or other aircraft components. German single-engine, four-seat maritime patrol and reconnaissance flying-boat. In production between 1934 and 1940, the DO18 was replaced by the three engined DO24. DO18 Single-seat, single-engine fighter-bomber: Curtiss P40 Warhawk, known to the RAF as the Tomahawk, later renamed Kittyhawk. Serving from 1941 to 1942, control difficulties in dive attacks impeded bombing accuracy, resulting in use for larger targets only. Tomahawk Warhawk KITTYHAWK A twin-engined development of the JU88, the JU188 had a higher service ceiling and greater maximum speed. JU188s operated over the UK from 1944 onwards as night intruders and reconnaissance aircraft. JU188 The Bristol Aeroplane Co., Ltd.. Founded in 1910 by Sir George White, Bart., who was a pioneer of electric tramways, the company had previously been The British and Colonial Aeroplane Co., Ltd.. BRISTOL The de Havilland Aircraft Co., Ltd., founded in 1920 by Sir Geoffrey de Havilland, C.B.E., A.F.C., F.R.Ae.S. Originally developers of commercial aircraft, were responsible for such notable wartime aircraft as the Mosquito and the Tiger Moth. DE HAVILLAND Single-engine, single-seat, long range fighter originally designed in 1940 to a British requirement. Outstanding low-level speed and range resulted in its assignment to the ground support (Army co-operation) role. P51 MUSTANG GLADIATOR Single-seat, single-engine biplane. In operational service from 1939 to 1941, this was the last, and believed to be the best, biplane to be flown in the RAF. All-metal in construction with fabric and aluminium covering. Single-engine, two-seat, light, biplane, elementary-flying trainer. Adapted from a civilian design, and constructed from tubular steel and spruce with plywood and fabric covering, entered service in 1931 and was available in land-plane or seaplane forms. TIGER MOTH Originally a light day-bomber, the Boston II, re-christened the Havoc, was adapted for night-flying in the fighter-intruder role. Was capable of a top speed in excess of 300 mph. HAVOC Single-engine, advanced-pilot trainer. Spruce and plywood in construction, entered service in 1939, continuing to serve as a trainer, and also a target tug, until 1950. MARTINET The Stinson Division of The Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation. Originally the Stinson Aircraft Division of the Aviation Manufacturing Corpn., who were taken over by Vultee Aircraft Inc., who merged with the Consolidated Aircraft Corpn. in 1943. STINSON FLAMINGO Impressed civil, twin-engined airliner converted to a military transport. Thirty were ordered for military use, though only eleven were actually built. Entered service in 1940, with the last being scrapped in 1950. American, all-metal-construction, fighter. Entered service in 1941. 209 were delivered to RAF/FAA, most of which were used in the Far East. BUFFALO Single-engine, spruce and plywood, fabric-covered training and communications low-wing monoplane. Served from 1939 to 1950. PROCTOR Single-engine, single-seat fighter-bomber. Designed to replace the Hurricane as an interceptor, excelled as a rocket-projectile-firing ground-attack fighter. Entered RAF service in 1941. TYPHOON BOULTON PAUL Boulton Paul Aircraft, Ltd., formed in 1934 to take over the Aircraft Department of Boulton & Paul, Ltd. MAGISTER Miles M.14 Magister. Single-engine, two-crew training and communications aircraft. Spruce and plywood in construction, with open cockpits and a fixed landing gear, served between 1937 and 1945. BOSTON American A-20 twin-engined, light, day bomber. Some supplied to the RAF and known as the Boston I. Subsequent variations adapted to night flying and re-christened the Havoc. false AIRCRAFT <BY FUNCTION> Aircraft Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Established in 1912 by Mr G. Holt Thomas. In 1914 secured the services of Capt. Geoffrey de Havilland as designer-in-chief, who went on to lend his initials to a number of highly successful machines. AIRCO Canadian-built, single-engine, high-wing transport and communications aircraft converted from a civilian model. Metal-framed with fabric covering, saw service in 1944-5. Was capable of being equipped with wheels, floats or skis. UC64 NORSEMAN American, four-engined, medium/heavy day bomber. Entered service in 1937. The prototype was nicknamed the Flying Fortress, which later became a registered trademark. Flying Fortress B17 FLYING FORTRESS DOUGLAS The Douglas Aircraft Company, Inc., established in 1920, reorganized in 1928. Produced such notable aircraft as the Dakota. ME410 Developed from the ill-fated ME210, the ME410 Hornisse entered service in May 1943. Although underpowered as a day fighter the ME410 saw service over the UK as a night fighter from 1943-45. North American Aviation, Inc., incorporated in Delaware in 1928. NORTH AMERICAN Three/four-crew, single-engine, shipboard observation and air/sea rescue amphibian seaplane. Entered RAF service in 1936. Also employed for gunnery spotting, anti-submarine and convoy protection duties. Sea Otter WALRUS CONSOLIDATED The Consolidated Aircraft Corporation. In 1943 merged with Vultee Aircraft, Inc. to form the Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation. TARGET An aircraft, usually towed or radio-controlled, designed for use as an air-to-air, or ground-to-air, gunnery target. Single-engined fighter, developed from the Camel. Entered service in 1918 and became the RAF's first mainstay peacetime fighter. SNIPE LIGHTNING Twin-engined jet-fighter. The first British aircraft to exceed Mach 1 in level flight, later to exceed Mach 2. Entered service in 1960. After 13 years was superseded in its primary defence role by the Phantom, though remained in RAF service until 1988. Formed in 1936 as British Marine Aircraft Ltd. to construct civil flying-boats. In 1937, with the arrival of H P Folland, formerly Chief designer for Gloster Aircraft Co., became Folland Aircraft, Ltd.. FOLLAND SAUNDERS ROE Saro Ernst Heinkel A.G.. Formed in 1922 by Dr. Ernst Heinkel, previously Chief Designer with Hansa-Brandenburgische Flugzeugwerke, where he produced many notable seaplanes during World War One. HEINKEL VIRGINIA Twin-engined, four-crew bomber. Wooden framed, with linen covering, entered service in 1924, equipping several RAF squadrons. ME210 Two-seat, twin-engined fighter/fighter-bomber designed as a replacement for the Bf110. Of the 600 or so produced, only 258 reached the Luftwaffe due to serious design faults. The ME210 was superseded by the ME410 Hornisse. Six-crew, twin-engined medium night-bomber. Entered service in 1938 and was the RAF's principal bomber until 1943, participating in the first bombing raid of the war. Later versions served as torpedo and reconnaissance-bombers, transports and trainers. WELLINGTON