Buffalo fighters being reassembled after shipment in crates. Then coded NF-P with No 488 (NZ) Sqn, W8181 took off on an interception flight and did not return on 15 January 1942. Sgt John Oliver was killed. Photo by: Carl Mydans / Life

Unboxing W8202. The photographer documented this airframe's reassembly and a shot of W8140 was retouched to complete the series. Photo by: Carl Mydans / Life

Note that a doctored version of this photo shows the serial as W8202. See photo 486720. Photo from: Carl Mydans / Life

Original colour photo of Blenheim IF fighters of No 27 Sqn which was sent to Singapore early in 1941. Note the gun pack under the fuselage and day fighter colours - most likely these aircraft were not equipped with radar. Photo by: Carl Mydans / Life

No 243 Sqn RAF was formed on 12 March 1941 at Kallang. WP-N was often flown by Flg Off Maurice 'Blondie' Holder, a future ace. Photo by: Carl Mydans / Life

The DC-5 prototype, seen here as William E. Boeing's personal plane "Rover".

Twelve 16-22 seat DC-5's were built in 1939/40 with KLM being the only civil operator. The U.S. Navy bought seven new examples of the R3D and the prototype was impressed by them. 1902 was delivered to NAS Anacostia in July 1940. It is seen visting the US West Coast wearing Anacostia titles. The U.S. national marking had no bars at this time and was not marked on the fuselage. Taken by F. Shertzer and image given to me by William T. Larkins 40 years ago for publication. No DC-5's survive..