There are many photos of the Bristol Bombay prototype, K3583. L5857 was the last of 50 production aircraft, delivered by Short & Harland, Belfast in June 1940, still without engines. Photo believed taken circa May 1941. L5857 was lost in an air raid at Kufra, Libya, on 25 September 1942. Photo from: Imperial War Museums

A Bombay of No 216 Sqn in the desert environment it was designed for, at the 'Marble Arch' as the Allies called it. This was the Arco dei Fileni, built on the border between Tripolitania and Cirenaica by Mussolini in 1937 and demolished by Gaddafi in 1973. The airstrip here was suitable for large aircraft. Luftwaffe Airfields 1935-45 suggests the Lutwaffe called it Arco Philanorum, but that was not the usual Italian name of the arch. The IWM caption suggests the photo was taken soon after the first fighters of No 239 Wing landed here on 18 December 1942. Photo from: Imperial War Museums

The first of 50 production Bombay I transport aircraft built by Short Brothers & Harland at Sydenham. Seen taking off from the airfield with a Railway Air Services DH.86 Express by the hangars. From SB&H 60 years ago.