Original prototype Wicko F.W.1, built in Lusty's furniture factory, Bow, East London. Powered by a modified Ford V8 car engine, underslung radiator is evident in this photo. The engine proved to be too heavy and although the aircraft flew well the take-off run was too long. It was subsequently rebuilt as the F.W.2 with a 90hp Cirrus Minor I. Following storage in Birmingham during WW2 it was restored post-war but lapsed into dereliction at Portsmouth and disappeared in 1953. Photo supplied by Geoffrey Wikner in 1980.

'A fine study of 56 Sqn Gauntlet K5296 up from RAF North Weald in October 1936. This aircraft later flew with 17 Sqn.' The matt fuselage panel is aluminium, anodized as an anti-corrosion measure. Photo from: Flight

The prototype of the Harrow, an interim heavy bomber, at the HP factory airfield. 100 Harrows equipped five RAF bomber squadrons in the course of 1937, but were replaced by 1940 and subsequently used mostly as transport aircraft. K6933 to G-AFRG in 1939, one of three used in in-flight refuelling trials.

The 14 production Hendon bombers were built at Fairey Aviation's Stockport factory and taken by road to Barton for final assembly and testing during 1936/37. The ungainly aircraft equipped No. 38 Squadron at RAF Marham until replaced by Wellingtons in 1939. From Manchester Airport Archive 50 years ago.