Bombers Collection (#5)

British Vickers Vildebeest biplanes in flight
A squadron of British Vickers Vildebeest biplanes (torpedo bombers) in flight. This aircraft first flew in 1928, and was still in use at the beginning of the Second World War. Date: circa 1930s

WW1 - Damage to Paris following an air raid by Gotha Bombers
WW1 - Damage to Buildings on Rue Lafitte, Paris, France following an air raid by German Gotha Bombers on 8th March, 1918 Date: 1918

Defence against the deadly long-range missiles 1958
Illustration by George Horace Davis, showing some ideas for missile interception, based on radar, computers, satellite and missile rockets in the future, and the continuing need for manned aircraft

Oil slick sighted by German Dornier Do 17 light bombers
Luftwaffe German Dornier Do 17 light bomber aircraft spot an oil slick in the British Channel which indicates the presence of a submarine - 1941

Lancaster Taking Off
The City of Lincoln is just one of 7378 Lancaster bombers built during WW2 - the most successful heavy night bomber used by the R.A.F. Maximum speed is 462 km/h. Date: 1942 - 1945

Scapa Flow Bombed
German bombers attack the British fleet at their base at Scapa Flow, Scotland, and do enormous damage to naval vessels Date: March 1940

Italian Bombers in Spain
Italian bombers, in support of the Nationalists, destroy Republican planes at Liria near Valencia Date: 1938

WW1 - British bomber squadron with Avro 504s
WW1 - Three Avro 504 British biplanes and the British bomber squadron on the ground preparing to carry out an aerial attack in Friedrichshafen, Germany. Commander Briggs biplane, No

Short Stirling I -the first of the RAFs heavy bombers Designed to fit into existing hangars at the expense of performance

Potez 541 -over 190 were produced as bombers Later relegated to transport work with Vichy French, all were lost or retired by late 1943

Martinsyde G 100 single-seat light bomber prototype
Martinsyde G 100 single-seat long-range light bomber prototype, serial no. 4735, first flown in September 1915. Deliveries began in early 1916. Date: circa 1915-1916

Focke Wulf FW 191 -an experimental bomber design that proved too advanced for its time

Farman NC 222 - 36 of these lumbering night bombers entered service with the French Air Force in 1937 Three were lost during the Spring 1940 German offensive

De Havilland DH98 Mosquito III -the jump in performance compared with earlier bomber type required this pilot type conversion trainer

De Havilland DH98 Mosquito FB VI-one of the numerous Australian built examples Mosquitos were also built in Canada

De Havilland DH 98 Mosquito -here is the very first of this illustrious line Built mainly of wood, the Mosquito proved readily adaptable for bombing, fighting or reconnaissance

De Havilland DH 98 Mosquito B IV -powered by two Rolls-Royce Merlins, once introduced, the type remained the RAF fastest bomber for the rest of the war

Convair XB-36 -initially ordered in November 1941, the first of these giant six engined bombers did not fly until August 1946

Douglas B-18A Bolo -these of US Armys 27th Reconnaissance Squadron Used by both the US and Canadians for offshore patrols

Douglas B-26C Invader -The US Army Air Forces attempt to produce an equivalent to the DH Mosquito

Douglas A-20 Boston III -this American-built aircraft was the workhorse of the RAFs fast bomber forces until the arrival of the DH Mosquito

Dornier Do 215 -one of the main German bombers used during the Battle of Britain

Dornier Do 217E -among the most effective of the Luftwaffe bombers

Dornier Do 17P -built in smaller numbers than the He 111, some used during the Battle of Britain of 1940

Consolidated B-24D Liberator -shown amid Pacific palms Here the Liberators long range was a vital asset, the aircraft being used by both the US Army and Navy, as well as the RAF

Consdolidated B-24H Liberator -later, bigger, faster and longer ranged than Boeings B-17, the Liberator served in all theatres of operation

Caproni Ca300 Series - light bombers used by the Italians during the North African campaign

Bristol 152 Beaufort of No 217 Squadron First flown in October 1938, this anti-shipping type entered service in early 1940 and saw action in all major theatres 2, 129 built

Bristol 152 Beaufort torpedo bomber used by Coastal Command

Bristol 130 Bombay of No216 Squadron, RAF, Egypt 1941 Used as troop transport

Bristol 142M Blenheim IF-in an effort to counter the German Blitz on England of 1940-41, a number of Blenheim Is were converted to radar-carrying night fighters

Bristol 142M Blenheim I had become obsolescent by the outbreak of war and took a mauling at German hands

Breguet 690 first flown in March 1938, entered service as a close support bomber in late 1939 With still inexperienced crews, most were lost in Spring 1940 German Blitzkreig

Boeing B-17F Fortress - along with the bigger B-24, both were to become commonplace sights around wartime East Anglia

Bloch 162-The sole example of this French long ranged bomber first flew in June 1940, soon falling into German hands

Bloch 175-this French light bomber had only just entered service when the Germans struck A few later served with the Free French

Blackburn GP three-seater torpedo bomber seaplane
Blackburn GP three-seater long range patrol and torpedo bomber seaplane, of which only two were built, the first being completed in July 1916 (serial no. 1415, seen here). Date: circa 1916-1917

Blackburn Skua with arrester wire hook down landing aboard an aircraft carrier

Avro 683 Lancaster GR III-be (side view)s serving as the RAF premier heavy bomber, the Lancaster later doubled as a maritime patroller

Avro 683 Lancaster I trio of No 44 Squadron RAF, 1942

Avro 679 Manchester IA of No 207 Squadron - unloved and unwanted, the type was transformed into the famed Lancaster by fitting four Merlins

Armstrong Whitworth AW 38 Whitley V -withdrawn from front-line service in late 1942, the Whitley continued to serve as a transport, submarine hunter and paratroop trainer

Armstrong Whitworth AW 38 Whitley V -despite its slow and ponderous performance, the Whitley was the first RAF aircraft to bomb a German target

Armstrong Whitworth AW 38 Whitley V -of the total 1, 814 Whitley built, 1, 645 were Roll-Royce Merlin powered, starting with the Mk IV

Armstrong Whitworth AW 38 Whitley V -already obsolete by the outbreak of war Always confined to night operations

Armstrong Whitworth AW 38 Whitley of No 10 Squadron
Armstrong Whitworth AW 38 Whitley of No 10 Sdn

Arado Ar 234B-Germanys and the Worlds first operational jet bomber Used from August 1944, it was fast enough to evade any attempt at interception

Arado Ar 196A the equivalent of the supermarine Walrus, but far more potent It even sucessfully downed British bombers in the early months of the war

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"Bombers: Wings For Victory in the Second World War" Step back in time as we delve into the awe-inspiring world during the Second World War. The Stuka, with its menacing presence, advertised fear and destruction wherever it flew. Witness the B-25 Mitchell Bomber taking off from Hornet, a symbol of American power soaring through the skies. In 1942, at the Hendon Aerial Pageant, anticipation filled the air as Lancaster Bombers prepared to take off on their daring missions. These mighty aircrafts played a pivotal role in shaping history during The Battle of Britain. RAF Bombers over Berlin; an image that encapsulates bravery and determination as they relentlessly bombed enemy territory in 1943. Among them was the Wellington Bomber - a true workhorse of its time. Marvel at Avro 683 Lancaster I of No 467 Squadron being meticulously loaded with bombs before embarking on yet another perilous journey. This iconic sight reminds us of sacrifices made by brave men who fought for freedom. Witness a captivating encounter between a Spitfire and Heinkel 111K - representing opposing forces locked in an intense aerial duel during WWII. RAF Bristol Blenheim Fighter-Bombers join this historic lineup, showcasing their versatility amidst turbulent times. The strength and unity displayed by British RAF Sterling Bomber Squadron flying together is truly remarkable; their formation speaks volumes about camaraderie forged under fire. These they were not just machines but symbols of hope and resilience against tyranny. They carried within them dreams for victory and liberation from oppression – forever etched into history's tapestry.