The 90th Bombardment Group operated from north Queensland and was known as the Jolly Rogers. Photo from: Townsville City Library

Martin Mariner of VPB-214 on beaching gear at its NAS Norfolk base. This anti-submarine warfare squadron became operational here on 23 January 1944 but its strength was reduced from twelve to nine aircraft on 1 October. In January 1945 it was sent to NAS Coco Solo, Panama Canal Zone, for ASW patrols on the Pacific side. The squadron was disbanded at Norfolk on 18 June 1945, having left its aircraft behind at Coco Solo, and 48151 was lost off Coco Solo two days later on 20 June 1945. Photo from: Naval History and Heritage Command

Built by Mitsubishi with a manufacturing date of 21 October 1941, this Zero, coded V-172, was on its way from Hainan Island to a base near Saigon for the upcoming Japanese invasion of Malaya, but made an emergency landing on a Chinese beach on 26 November 1941, before Pearl Harbor. It was sent to the American 23rd Fighter Group in China, the Flying Tigers, and eventually shipped to the USA from Karachi to receive Evaluation Branch code EB-2. Its fate is unclear. Photo from: National Museum of the US Navy

Late-war photo of one of the Boeing 307s impressed into USAAF service. Picture may when the aircraft was being delivered to Boeing for overhaul before being returned to TWA. Photo from: Civil Aviation Historical Society, Melbourne Australia

Reregistered N85B in 1953. Allan Hammons Collection photo. Photo from: Civil Aviation Historical Society, Melbourne, Australia

Rebuilt in 1943 from the burnt remains of D.H.60G VH-UHQ c/n 878 due to a wartime shortage of aircraft. Given new c/n and type changed to a D.H.60GIII Moth Major with a Gipsy Major engine. Crashed December 16, 1945., Reappeared on the register in 1996 as D.H60G c/n 1. Appears to remain a restoration project. Photo from: Civil Aviation Historical Society, Melbourne, Australia

Scanned from a 80x55mm print. No date given, but thought to be 1944. Writen on the back of the print is 'S/Ldr Frazer and crew went missing in this aircraft'. Info from the CWGC shows that Squadron Leader Ronald George Renwick Frazer (age 30) of 58 Sqn. went missing on February 24th, 1945, No known grave. Photo passed to me by a friend whose uncle flew with Coastal Command at the time.

The Martin Mars prototype in take-off at an unknown location, possibly the Pacific off San Francisco. This photo was taken circa 1944, about two years after it had been converted from patrol bomber to transport aircraft, by the removal of its gun turrets, bomb bays, armored plating and other combat provisions. Instead, this transport version received additional cargo hatches and cargo loading equipment, as well as reinforced decking. Photo from: US Navy - National Naval Aviation Museum

Two Ansons of 14 Ferry Pool, Air Transport Auxiliary, return in formation to their base at Manchester's Ringway Airport. The veteran aircrews aboard have just delivered several new Woodford-built Lancasters to Bomber Command airfields in Lincolnshire. Obtained from an ATA pilot over 50 years ago.

The Buckingham was intended to be a Bristol Centaurus powered replacement for the Beaufighter, but development delays meant that it never entered service as a bomber. 119 were built, mainly converted to high speed transports. Photo obtained from Bristol.

An RAF Mitchell II at Ringway awaiting delivery to its next squadron by the Air Transport Auxiliary veteran pilot of the based 14 Ferry Pool. The location now forms part of the Terminal 2 aprons. Obtained from an ATA pilot 40 years ago.

A retired Whitley V bomber in use as a parachute dropping training aircraft with the Ringway based No. 1 Parachute Traing School soon before replacement by Dakotas. This late model was fitted with RR Merlins. Obtained from a wartime RAF member over 50 years ago.

The first of two prototype XP-77 lightweight fighters powered by a 520 h.p. XV-770 and armed with two 0.5 inch guns and a ventral bomb rack. The aircraft proved to be underpowered and the programme was cancelled after the second example crashed in October 1944. From Bell Aircraft 60 years ago.

The first of twenty P-59A's built participating in a contrasting formation flight with P-63A Kingcobra 42-69417 (Centre) and P-39Q Airacobra 42-19597 (top). From Bell aircraft 60 years ago.

Coastal Command Wellington XIV wearing their white colours with grey top. Built by Vickers at Blackpool or Chester. Awaiting delivery to its assigned squadron by the veteran Air Transport Auxiliary pilot of the Ringway-based 14 Ferry Pool. Obtained from another ATA pilot 50 years ago.