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Pilots Collection (#9)

"Pilots: The Unsung Heroes of the Skies" Churchill's praise for RAF Pilots echoes through history

Background imagePilots Collection: At the far end of Western Ethiopia (colour litho)

At the far end of Western Ethiopia (colour litho)
2778522 At the far end of Western Ethiopia (colour litho) by Beltrame, Achille (1871-1945); Private Collection; (add.info.: At the far end of western Ethiopia)

Background imagePilots Collection: Three men at the mercy of the wind (Colour Litho)

Three men at the mercy of the wind (Colour Litho)
2778373 Three men at the mercy of the wind (Colour Litho) by Beltrame, Achille (1871-1945); Private Collection; (add.info.: Three men at the mercy of the wind)

Background imagePilots Collection: Two Russian aeronauts had to interrupt, because of a hurricane, a balloon excursion (Colour Litho)

Two Russian aeronauts had to interrupt, because of a hurricane, a balloon excursion (Colour Litho)
2778349 Two Russian aeronauts had to interrupt, because of a hurricane, a balloon excursion (Colour Litho) by Beltrame, Achille (1871-1945); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imagePilots Collection: The great Atlantic Cruise (colour litho)

The great Atlantic Cruise (colour litho)
2778163 The great Atlantic Cruise (colour litho) by Beltrame, Achille (1871-1945); Private Collection; (add.info.: The great Atlantic Cruise)

Background imagePilots Collection: Falling out of a balloon... on top of the pillows! (colour litho)

Falling out of a balloon... on top of the pillows! (colour litho)
2778158 Falling out of a balloon... on top of the pillows! (colour litho) by Beltrame, Achille (1871-1945); Private Collection; (add.info.: Falling from a ball)

Background imagePilots Collection: The tragic end of Europes oldest pilot, Giuseppe Henderson (colour litho)

The tragic end of Europes oldest pilot, Giuseppe Henderson (colour litho)
2777900 The tragic end of Europes oldest pilot, Giuseppe Henderson (colour litho) by Beltrame, Achille (1871-1945); Private Collection; (add.info.: The tragic end of Europes oldest driver)

Background imagePilots Collection: Lieutenant Carmichael dropping bombs on the rails at Menin railway station from a height

Lieutenant Carmichael dropping bombs on the rails at Menin railway station from a height
STC412099 Lieutenant Carmichael dropping bombs on the rails at Menin railway station from a height of only one hundred and twenty feet (litho) by Avis, W

Background imagePilots Collection: The first knights of the air (photogravure)

The first knights of the air (photogravure)
STC398765 The first knights of the air (photogravure) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sir John William Alcock (1892-1919)

Background imagePilots Collection: World War One Aircraft, 1916-17 (b / w photo)

World War One Aircraft, 1916-17 (b / w photo)
NAM280964 World War One Aircraft, 1916-17 (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); National Army Museum, London; (add.info.: from an album of 229 photographs compiled by Major Leith-Ross)

Background imagePilots Collection: Baron von Richthofen with fellow pilots, including his brother Lothar (b / w photo)

Baron von Richthofen with fellow pilots, including his brother Lothar (b / w photo)
PNP283243 Baron von Richthofen with fellow pilots, including his brother Lothar (b/w photo) by German Photographer (20th Century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imagePilots Collection: Lieutenants Frederick Sowrey and William Leefe Robinson, British fighter pilots of the First World

Lieutenants Frederick Sowrey and William Leefe Robinson, British fighter pilots of the First World War
6029719 Lieutenants Frederick Sowrey and William Leefe Robinson, British fighter pilots of the First World War, who each shot down a German Zeppelin airship during raids on southern England in

Background imagePilots Collection: International Balloon Contest (engraving)

International Balloon Contest (engraving)
1616184 International Balloon Contest (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: International Balloon Contest)

Background imagePilots Collection: Avenue de l Opera, Paris, in the year 2000 (chromolitho)

Avenue de l Opera, Paris, in the year 2000 (chromolitho)
974592 Avenue de l Opera, Paris, in the year 2000 (chromolitho) by European School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Avenue de l Opera, Paris, in the year 2000)

Background imagePilots Collection: Flying policeman in the year 2000 (chromolitho)

Flying policeman in the year 2000 (chromolitho)
974588 Flying policeman in the year 2000 (chromolitho) by European School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Flying policeman in the year 2000)

Background imagePilots Collection: Joy ride

Joy ride
Piotr Wrobel

Background imagePilots Collection: Zero G

Zero G
Shane Peterson

Background imagePilots Collection: Dam

Dam
Fahad Abdualhameid

Background imagePilots Collection: Susi Air

Susi Air
Rooswandy Juniawan

Background imagePilots Collection: Opposite Directions

Opposite Directions
Anping Liu

Background imagePilots Collection: Before the start

Before the start
Peter Hrabinsky

Background imagePilots Collection: Pilot

Pilot
Henry Zhao

Background imagePilots Collection: prepare for landing

prepare for landing
Rooswandy Juniawan

Background imagePilots Collection: Straight through

Straight through
Marc Pelissier

Background imagePilots Collection: In The Office

In The Office
Fahad Abdualhameid

Background imagePilots Collection: Close-up

Close-up
Piotr Wrobel

Background imagePilots Collection: Land line

Land line
Piotr Wrobel

Background imagePilots Collection: British fighter pilots in the Western desert have a conference before going on patrol in

British fighter pilots in the Western desert have a conference before going on patrol in the Second World War. 28th November 1940

Background imagePilots Collection: The leader of one of the first RAF Fighter squadrons to destroy 100 enemy aircraft while

The leader of one of the first RAF Fighter squadrons to destroy 100 enemy aircraft while operating from one station is the famous hurdler Don Finlay who has represented Great Britain at the Olympic

Background imagePilots Collection: Ninth Air Force station in England. Mustang pilots, just back from bombing Le Bourget air

Ninth Air Force station in England. Mustang pilots, just back from bombing Le Bourget air field near Paris, " Chow up" at the open air officers mess at a Ninth Air Force Fighter Station

Background imagePilots Collection: Proudly caressing his bomb sight after bombing the rail centre at Stendal, Germany

Proudly caressing his bomb sight after bombing the rail centre at Stendal, Germany, is Major Charles Hudson of Bakersfield, California

Background imagePilots Collection: Some fighters of an Eastern escort carrier make their first kill on board HMS Empress at

Some fighters of an Eastern escort carrier make their first kill on board HMS Empress at sea in the Pacific during the Second world War

Background imagePilots Collection: The RAF Spitfire squadron 'County of Surrey'

The RAF Spitfire squadron "County of Surrey"
The RAF Spitfire squadron " County of Surrey", known as " Churchills Own", of which the Prime Minister is honorary Air Commodore, arrived in India in 1942

Background imagePilots Collection: Eight enemy Messerschmitt ME 109 planes were destroyed

Eight enemy Messerschmitt ME 109 planes were destroyed and two damaged by Allied fighters in two sorties over Tripolitania. In the first sortie an R.A.F

Background imagePilots Collection: Spahis were light cavalry regiments of the French army recruited primarily from

Spahis were light cavalry regiments of the French army recruited primarily from the indigenous populations of Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco

Background imagePilots Collection: The Western Desert Air Transport Service has carried out valuable work in the North

The Western Desert Air Transport Service has carried out valuable work in the North African campaign. They facilitated every stage of the advance

Background imagePilots Collection: RAF Mosquitoes supporting the 14th Army in Burma during the Second World War pictured at

RAF Mosquitoes supporting the 14th Army in Burma during the Second World War pictured at a Mosquito station on the Arakan front. Left to right: Squadron Leader I.A

Background imagePilots Collection: Flying Officer Bill Draper of 8 Humewood Drive, Toronto, Canada

Flying Officer Bill Draper of 8 Humewood Drive, Toronto, Canada, tells an interesting listener how he shot down a German Luftwaffe FW 190 in a head on attack

Background imagePilots Collection: North African Arab soldiers are assisting the RAF on Tunisian airfields

North African Arab soldiers are assisting the RAF on Tunisian airfields. Loading bombs on the carriages for transportation to the aircraft and bomb dumps

Background imagePilots Collection: A Yugoslav Squadron flying Spitfires from a Tactical Wing of the Balkan Air Force based

A Yugoslav Squadron flying Spitfires from a Tactical Wing of the Balkan Air Force based in Italy, recently flew their first offensive mission over their homeland

Background imagePilots Collection: Flying Officer R. B. Connell of Gourock, Scotland (left), Flying Officer J. A

Flying Officer R. B. Connell of Gourock, Scotland (left), Flying Officer J. A
Flying Officer R.B. Connell of Gourock, Scotland (left), Flying Officer J.A. Brown of West Hartlepool, Co, Durham (centre), and Sergeant P.F

Background imagePilots Collection: At an RAF bomber station in Bengal, India, air and ground crew save working time by

At an RAF bomber station in Bengal, India, air and ground crew save working time by having on the spot lunches. The double Journey from the airfield to the mess is roughly eight miles so to have more

Background imagePilots Collection: RAF pilots who have occasion to bale out over the sea are being instructed in the sailing

RAF pilots who have occasion to bale out over the sea are being instructed in the sailing and navigation of their craft by the members of an amateur sailing club, the Corinthian Sailing Club, who

Background imagePilots Collection: When six Spitfire pilots cams upon I8 Luftwaffe M*109s near Rome recently

When six Spitfire pilots cams upon I8 Luftwaffe M*109s near Rome recently, they shot down nine of them in four minutes. The Spitfire pilots

Background imagePilots Collection: A Czech, a Pole and an Englishman, with their sergeant air gunner instructor

A Czech, a Pole and an Englishman, with their sergeant air gunner instructor, an Australian. They are watching other cadets at air-firing exercise. 6th April 1942

Background imagePilots Collection: A US Ninth Air Force bomber station in England. Left to right: Sgt. Waldo W

A US Ninth Air Force bomber station in England. Left to right: Sgt. Waldo W. Shows, 1st Lieutenant Benjamin R. Tillman, Lieutenant Col. Othel D. Turner, S/Sgt. Norman J. Huschka, Captain Louis J

Background imagePilots Collection: 'Deck landing'training of Fleet Air Arm pilots at a Royal Naval Air Station

"Deck landing"training of Fleet Air Arm pilots at a Royal Naval Air Station
" Deck landing" training of Fleet Air Arm pilots at a Royal Naval Air Station. Photo shows: Pilots scramble. Naval Swordfish ranged on the deck at a naval shore station for immediate take

Background imagePilots Collection: Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm pilots in training exercises during the Second World War

Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm pilots in training exercises during the Second World War. Picture shows: Wheeling out the torpedo to be fitted to their aircraft. March 1941




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"Pilots: The Unsung Heroes of the Skies" Churchill's praise for RAF Pilots echoes through history, as their bravery and skill played a crucial role in defending Britain during World War II. A wartime poster proudly displayed his famous words, reminding everyone of the pilots' valor. Among these legendary aviators was Amy Johnson, whose daring solo flights broke barriers and inspired generations to come. Her name became synonymous with courage and determination. In the early days of aviation, telegraph keys like the Morse Code Type J-37 connected pilots to ground control, enabling vital communication in the skies. This simple device held immense power in ensuring safe journeys. Propaganda posters adorned walls across towns, displaying Prime Minister Churchill's resolute statements about pilots' unwavering commitment to protect their homeland. These powerful images instilled hope and unity among citizens. The Wright brothers themselves stood proud beside Flyer II at Huffman Prairie in Dayton, Ohio – pioneers who defied gravity and forever changed human history with their invention of powered flight. Sister Hilda Hope McMaugh fearlessly took to the skies as part of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF), showcasing that women too could contribute significantly to aviation during times of conflict. At RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire, flight simulators allowed aspiring pilots to hone their skills before taking on real-life challenges. These advanced training tools ensured that every pilot was prepared for any situation they might encounter up above. Royal Air Force Display Posters at Hendon showcased not only military might but also celebrated aviation achievements throughout history. They served as a reminder that flying is not just a profession but an art form worth cherishing. No discussion about they are be complete without mentioning The Battle of Britain – a pivotal moment when brave men fought against overwhelming odds to defend freedom from Nazi aggression. Their resilience saved countless lives and turned tides in favor of victory. In 1955, the introduction of the R. A. F.