Restored to flight in 2014 after decades grounded, here providing joy rides

A mere 52 years on from my first shot of this famous two-seater Spitfire (here), this is how she looks now. Repainted from its RAF livery (MT818) in USAAF colours for the 2025 season, it represents Spitfire IX MH894 as flown by Lt John E Fawcett of the 309th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter Group. Deployed to Gibraltar in November 1942, it operated in North Africa and then the Italian campaign. The name "Lady Ellen III" is after the pilot's wife Ellen; they were married in May 1942 just before he deployed to Europe

A 1946 vintage machine, imported in 1992 ex N1362K. Rebuilt after lying dismantled and derelict in 2008

Delivered to Direccaão de Exploracao de Transportes (DETA) in Mozambique in 1937 as CR-AAB, going to South Africa as ZS-CTR in 1961, this Dragonfly returned to the UK under original British registration in 1979. Sold as N190DH in 1983 (crashed at Sellersburg, IN in September 1987), this beautiful machine was restored and reverted to G-AEDU from 1992

This Aeronca is of 1946 vintage, originally registered N85445 and first imported to the UK as G-JTYE in 1991

One of two PA-28s in B.Cal colours, the other being G-RECW which appeared in static at the 2022 Blackbushe Air Day

As marked in very small characters by tailplane, in 1960 ex RAF WB619

A Romanian-built Yak, previously registered as RA-01948

The aircraft famously used by Sidney Cotton shortly before WWII for clandestine photography over Germany with three F24 cameras and a Leica concealed behind panels. On the eve of war, he even managed a ride over German military airfields, accompanied by senior Luftwaffe officer Albert Kesselring at the controls. Cotton reached under his seat, operated the cameras and captured the airfields on film. Registered VP-TAI, N1161V and N12EJ postwar, the Lockheed was sold in 2021 and restored to flight in its original British guise, making its first flight from Sywell in March 2023

After acceptance by the USAF, this Bird Dog was returned to Cessna for modification to O-1G prior to supply to Japan under MAP where it operated with the Army as 11107. On return to the US Government it was assigned to the Civil Air Patrol as N5074G before sale as a glider tug in 1987. After a number of ownership change it was sold in the UK in 2017 to be based at Membury. Note the large whip aerial now refitted

This is P-51D 44-72035, which in 2016 was unveiled after restoration in historically accurate markings as carried in 1945 when it entered service with the famous Afro-American Tuskagee Airmen of the 99th Fighter Squadron, 332nd Fighter Group in Italy on escort and ground attack sweeps over Germany, Austria and Czechoslovakia. Remaining in USAF service till 1956 (including use by the NV ANG as a target tug 1949/50), it was civilianised as N5411V before being sold in Colombia as HK-2812P in 1982. In 1988 it became F-AZMU, flying as "Jumping Jacques". Sold to Peter Teichman as G-SIJJ in 2003