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Reconnaissance Collection (#2)

"Exploring the Skies: A Glimpse into the World of Reconnaissance" From the iconic Two Nimrod R1s of 51 Squadron to the legendary Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird

Background imageReconnaissance Collection: A U-2 Dragon Lady takes off from Osan Air Base, South Korea

A U-2 Dragon Lady takes off from Osan Air Base, South Korea
October 21, 2009 - A U-2 Dragon Lady takes off from Osan Air Base, South Korea, during the base Air Power Day air show

Background imageReconnaissance Collection: King George V with RAF officers, Western Front, WW1

King George V with RAF officers, Western Front, WW1
King George V inspecting RAF officers on the Western Front in France during World War One, August 1918. The men belonged to the 11th and 2nd Balloon Wings (air reconnaissance). 1918

Background imageReconnaissance Collection: BRITISH BABY AIRSHIP 2

BRITISH BABY AIRSHIP 2
The British Armys Baby intended for observation and reconnaissance, depicted flying low over London

Background imageReconnaissance Collection: Entrance to the dockyard, Portsmouth

Entrance to the dockyard, Portsmouth
Entrance to the dockyard at Portsmouth, where Lieutenant Commander Lionel Kenneth Phillip Buster Crabb (1909-1956) disappeared on 19 April 1956

Background imageReconnaissance Collection: 41 Sqaudron Tornado GR4, preparing to test fire four Storm Shadow missiles

41 Sqaudron Tornado GR4, preparing to test fire four Storm Shadow missiles
Image of a 41 Sqaudron (the RAFs test and evaluation Sqn) Tornado GR4, preparing to test fire four Storm Shadow missiles over the Atlantic Ocean

Background imageReconnaissance Collection: Claire Ogden, giving watch to Lieutenant W.C.F. Brown, between c1915 and c1920

Claire Ogden, giving watch to Lieutenant W.C.F. Brown, between c1915 and c1920. Creator: Bain News Service
Claire Ogden, giving watch to Lieutenant W.C.F. Brown, between c1915 and c1920. Shows Claire Ogden with Lieutenant W.C.F. Brown in an event related to the 1919 transcontinental reliability

Background imageReconnaissance Collection: French World War I postcard showing Kempten Bridge

French World War I postcard showing Kempten Bridge
673424 French World War I postcard showing Kempten Bridge; Universal History Archive/UIG

Background imageReconnaissance Collection: Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878-1880): British troops reconnoitring in mountains between Cabul valley

Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878-1880): British troops reconnoitring in mountains between Cabul valley
530485 Second Anglo-Afghan War (1878-1880): British troops reconnoitring in mountains between Cabul valley and plain of Jellalabad. Wood engraving February 1880; Universal History Archive/UIG

Background imageReconnaissance Collection: The Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2, British single-engine tractor two-seat biplane

The Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2, British single-engine tractor two-seat biplane
3502743 The Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2, British single-engine tractor two-seat biplane, in service with the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) from 1912 until the end of World War I

Background imageReconnaissance Collection: Hussars on the look out, 1914 (lantern slide)

Hussars on the look out, 1914 (lantern slide)
5925391 Hussars on the look out, 1914 (lantern slide) by Newton & Co. (1858-1953); National Army Museum, London; (add.info.: Hussars on the look out, 1914)

Background imageReconnaissance Collection: Battle of Fleurus 26 June 1794, French Revolutionary Wars. Use of The Entreprenant as

Battle of Fleurus 26 June 1794, French Revolutionary Wars. Use of The Entreprenant as reconnaissance balloon the first
528359 Battle of Fleurus 26 June 1794, French Revolutionary Wars. Use of The Entreprenant as reconnaissance balloon the first use of a balloon in warfare, contributed to French victory. Prunt c1883

Background imageReconnaissance Collection: British & French artillery observers, between 1915 and 1918. Creator: Bain News Service

British & French artillery observers, between 1915 and 1918. Creator: Bain News Service
British & French artillery observers, between 1915 and 1918. French and British military observers during World War I

Background imageReconnaissance Collection: Observation balloon, U.S.A. 9 Dec 1917. Creator: Bain News Service

Observation balloon, U.S.A. 9 Dec 1917. Creator: Bain News Service
Observation balloon, U.S.A. 9 Dec 1917 (date created or published later). An observation balloon ready to be launched over German trenches in Europe in World War I

Background imageReconnaissance Collection: German observers, between c1915 and 1918. Creator: Bain News Service

German observers, between c1915 and 1918. Creator: Bain News Service
German observers, between c1915 and 1918. German soldiers, including two on a ladder and one using a binocular trench periscope during World War I

Background imageReconnaissance Collection: French Infantry scouting in woods, between c1914 and c1915. Creator: Bain News Service

French Infantry scouting in woods, between c1914 and c1915. Creator: Bain News Service
French Infantry scouting in woods, between c1914 and c1915. French soldiers in woods at the beginning of World War I

Background imageReconnaissance Collection: Flanders Operations; Before relief of the Belgians by the French... 1917. Creator: Unknown

Flanders Operations; Before relief of the Belgians by the French... 1917. Creator: Unknown
Flanders Operations; Before relief of the Belgians by the French: a French officer inspects the Belgian sector, 1917. From "L'Album de la Guerre 1914-1919

Background imageReconnaissance Collection: On the Eastern Front; An artillery observer in a position captured... 1917. Creator: Unknown

On the Eastern Front; An artillery observer in a position captured... 1917. Creator: Unknown
On the Eastern Front; An artillery observer in a position captured from September 7 to 10, between Lake Malik and Lake Ohrid, 1917

Background imageReconnaissance Collection: Apres Trebizonde; Une reconnaissance russe dans les montagnes du Kop-Dagh

Apres Trebizonde; Une reconnaissance russe dans les montagnes du Kop-Dagh, 1916 (1924) Creator: Unknown
Apres Trebizonde; Une reconnaissance russe dans les montagnes du Kop-Dagh, 1916. From "L'Album de la Guerre 1914-1919, Volume I" [L'Illustration, Paris, 1924]

Background imageReconnaissance Collection: Les Batailles de l'Artois; le rentree du ballon (nord d'Arras), 1915. Creator: Francois Flameng

Les Batailles de l'Artois; le rentree du ballon (nord d'Arras), 1915. Creator: Francois Flameng
Les Batailles de l'Artois; le rentree du ballon (nord d'Arras), 1915. From "L'Album de la Guerre 1914-1919: Volume I" [L'Illustration, Paris, 1926]

Background imageReconnaissance Collection: Le general Sarrail en Aeroplane, 1916. Creator: Unknown

Le general Sarrail en Aeroplane, 1916. Creator: Unknown
Le general Sarrail en Aeroplane; le general Sarrail a pris la place de l'observateur sur un des biplans de ses escadrilles, 1916. From "Collection de la Guerre IV

Background imageReconnaissance Collection: Le general Sarrail en Aeroplane; Avant le depart, 1916. Creator: Unknown

Le general Sarrail en Aeroplane; Avant le depart, 1916. Creator: Unknown
Le general Sarrail en Aeroplane; Avant le depart: le chef de l'armee d'Orient donne ses instructions a l'officier aviateur qui va conduire au-dessus des lignes ennemies, 1916

Background imageReconnaissance Collection: Sur le front d'artois - l'album de Jean Lefort; Manoeuvre d'un ballon observateur, 1915 (1916)

Sur le front d'artois - l'album de Jean Lefort; Manoeuvre d'un ballon observateur, 1915 (1916)
Sur le front d'artois - Feuilles d'Album de Jean Lefort; Manoeuvre d'un ballon observateur (Aux environs de la ferme Margot, 24 fevrier 1915.), 1915

Background imageReconnaissance Collection: Reconnoitring at Cronstadt, 1854. Creator: Unknown

Reconnoitring at Cronstadt, 1854. Creator: Unknown
Reconnoitring at Cronstadt, 1854. Crimean War. Fort Peter I.; Fort Alexander; Fort Menschikoff; "Bulldog"; "Phlegethon"

Background imageReconnaissance Collection: Aerial photograph of damage to the Messerschmitt factory in Regensburg. 17th August 1943

Aerial photograph of damage to the Messerschmitt factory in Regensburg. 17th August 1943

Background imageReconnaissance Collection: United States Navy - North American RA-5C Vigilante 156608

United States Navy - North American RA-5C Vigilante 156608 NK601 RVAH-13 (RVAH - heavy aircraft reconnaissance squadron) in the early 1970s Date: 1972

Background imageReconnaissance Collection: Arado AR-234

Arado AR-234
A Captured Luftwaffe Arado Ar-234 in Royal Air Force RAF Marking Parked, As Flown by Test-Pilot Captain Eric Melrose Winkle Brown, Cbe, Dsc, Afc, Fraes

Background imageReconnaissance Collection: Raf Sentinel Aircraft Returns from the Middle East

Raf Sentinel Aircraft Returns from the Middle East
Pictured is an RAF SENTINEL Aircraft returning from the Middle East. A Royal Air Force Sentinel R1 aircraft based at RAF Waddington

Background imageReconnaissance Collection: McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 71-0291

McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle 71-0291 (msn 0012/B002), at the 1980 SBAC Farnborough Airshow on 6 September 1980. Built as the second TF-15A

Background imageReconnaissance Collection: Bomb damage to central Berlin near the Tiergarten area. 8th March 1944

Bomb damage to central Berlin near the Tiergarten area. 8th March 1944

Background imageReconnaissance Collection: Damage to the central areas of Berlin after R. A. F. raids. 24th March 1944

Damage to the central areas of Berlin after R. A. F. raids. 24th March 1944
Damage to the central areas of Berlin after R.A.F. raids. 24th March 1944

Background imageReconnaissance Collection: Boeing KC-135A Stratotanker 57-2589

Boeing KC-135A Stratotanker 57-2589
United States Air Force - Boeing KC-135A-BN Stratotanker 57-2589 (MSN 17725) 13 December 1958: First flight. 21 January 1959: 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, Offutt AFB, NE

Background imageReconnaissance Collection: United States Air Force - Boeing WB-29 Superfortress

United States Air Force - Boeing WB-29 Superfortress
United States Air Force - Boeing WB-29-90-BW Superfortress 44-87744 (msn12547), force landed at Moses Point Airport, Elim, Alaska due to two in-flight engine failures

Background imageReconnaissance Collection: Alabama Air National Guard - Republic RF-84F Thunderflash

Alabama Air National Guard - Republic RF-84F Thunderflash
Alabama Air National Guard - Republic RF-84F-35-RE Thunderflash 53-7529, of the 160th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, with 53-7526, 53-7542, 53-7547, 53-7611 (-40) and 53-7595 (-40)

Background imageReconnaissance Collection: Nakajima C6N Saiun

Nakajima C6N Saiun (Iridescent Cloud) (Allied codename Jill), carrier-based reconnaissance aircraft used by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service in World War II At Freeman Field Arizona

Background imageReconnaissance Collection: Royal Air Force Supermarine Swift FR. 5 WK281

Royal Air Force Supermarine Swift FR. 5 WK281
Royal Air Force Supermarine Swift FR.5 WK281. Built by Vickers Armstrong and delivered on 5 November 1956, WK281 joined No 79 Squadron at RAF Gutersloh

Background imageReconnaissance Collection: Short S. 38 - SA. 1 Sturgeon S. 1 RK797

Short S. 38 - SA. 1 Sturgeon S. 1 RK797
Short S.38/SA.1 Sturgeon S.1 RK797, the first prototype of a new carrier-borne strike and reconnaissance aircraft for the Royal Navy

Background imageReconnaissance Collection: Republic XF-12 Rainbow

Republic XF-12 Rainbow
Republic Xf-12 / Xr-12 Rainbow Flying Date: 1940s

Background imageReconnaissance Collection: Supermarine Walrus Mark 1 / I

Supermarine Walrus Mark 1 / I
A Royal-Navy 277 Squadron Supermarine Walrus Mark 1 Flying over Fields Date: 1941

Background imageReconnaissance Collection: English Electric Canberra B-6

English Electric Canberra B-6
RAF English Electric Canberra B-6S flying in formation over Fields. Wj778, Wt371= RAF 139 Squadron; Wj771, Wj780= RAF 109 Squadron. All Were Binbrook Based Date: 1956

Background imageReconnaissance Collection: Hms Montrose Tracks Russian Warship in International Waters

Hms Montrose Tracks Russian Warship in International Waters
Image of a Russian Ilyushin Il-20 Coot aircraft. The Russian military have been monitoring BALTOPS 14 from a distance using their Coot aircraft as eyes-in-the-sky

Background imageReconnaissance Collection: U.s 109th Airlift Squadron C-130 H3

U.s 109th Airlift Squadron C-130 H3
Pictured is a French Air Force (Arme de l Air) Mirage 2000D at Kandahar Airfield in 2010. 3 French Mirage 2000s were deployed to Afghanistan in support of NATO troops in 2008

Background imageReconnaissance Collection: U.s Army OH-58D Kiowa Warrior Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter at Kandahar Airfield

U.s Army OH-58D Kiowa Warrior Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter at Kandahar Airfield
Pictured is a U.S 182nd Airlift Wing Illinois Air National Guard C-130 H3 Hercules at Kandahar Airfield in 2010. The182d Airlift Wing (182 AW)is a unit of theIllinois Air National Guard

Background imageReconnaissance Collection: A Canberra aircraft flying high

A Canberra aircraft flying high
The original Canberra design dates from the 1940s and the prototype aircraft flew for the first time from Warton aerodrome on 13 May 1949

Background imageReconnaissance Collection: Alvis Scimitar light reconnaissance tank

Alvis Scimitar light reconnaissance tank
Alvis FV107 Scimitar light reconnaissance tank. Date: 2006

Background imageReconnaissance Collection: A German military aeroplane used for reconnaissance

A German military aeroplane used for reconnaissance

Background imageReconnaissance Collection: Supermarine Swift FR. 5 7712M - WK281

Supermarine Swift FR. 5 7712M - WK281
Royal Air Force Supermarine Swift FR.5 7712M / WK281. Built by Vickers Armstrong and delivered on 5 November 1956, WK281 joined No 79 Squadron at RAF Gutersloh

Background imageReconnaissance Collection: WW2 - Fairey Albacore

WW2 - Fairey Albacore
A photograph of a British WW2 Fairey Albacore biplane torpedo bomber, used here by the Fleet Air Arm as a spotter and reconnaissance aeroplane. Date: circa 1940s

Background imageReconnaissance Collection: WW2 - Inside A Reconnaissance Plane

WW2 - Inside A Reconnaissance Plane
A photograph portraying a British WW2 Royal Air Force pilot consulting the sergeant observer while flying over enemy territory in a reconnaissance plane. Date: circa 1940s




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"Exploring the Skies: A Glimpse into the World of Reconnaissance" From the iconic Two Nimrod R1s of 51 Squadron to the legendary Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, it has always been at the forefront of aviation. This captivating field takes us back in time to witness history unfold through aerial lenses. In 1941, amidst the chaos of World War II, Four Royal Australian Air Force F-111 aircraft soared across enemy lines with unwavering determination. Meanwhile, the Fairey Swordfish Torpedo-Bomber showcased its versatility as it braved treacherous waters during critical missions. The Westland Lysander, shrouded in mystery and created by an unknown genius in 1941, proved instrumental in covert operations. Similarly, Mitsubishi Ki-46-II Dinah played a pivotal role between mid-1944 and 1945 as it gathered vital intelligence for strategic planning. Witnessing a Royal Australian Air Force F-111 gracefully glide through the sky is nothing short of awe-inspiring. Its presence reminds us that reconnaissance remains essential even in modern times. Equally impressive is the Hawker Siddeley Nimrod MR2 of the Royal Air Force - a symbol of technological advancement and precision. As we delve deeper into history's archives, we encounter breathtaking sights such as an SR-71B Blackbird majestically soaring above Sierra Nevada Mountains or a U-2 spy plane masquerading under fictitious NASA markings during Cold War tensions - reminding us that truth can often be disguised behind illusions. Amidst these remarkable machines lies beauty too; behold a Supermarine Spitfire Mk-18 gracefully cutting through clouds with unparalleled elegance. And who could forget about PBY Catalina vintage flying boat? It served not only as an invaluable asset but also captured hearts with its nostalgic charm. Reconnaissance encompasses more than just technology; it embodies courage and dedication.