Photo taken prior to its first flight, which was in December 1948. By the time it appeared at the 1949 Farnborough Air Show the fin area had been increased and it had the RAF serial VZ724. Crashed on June 13, 1950, as a result of the failure of the forward rotor leading to the death of the three crew. G-ALCV was still on the UK register at the time. It shows it as crashed with no accident date nor date of cancellation, and only the year given. Photo from: Imperial War Museums

The first Farnborough show. The second Marathon prototype did not have a central tailfin initially. The Hastings on the left should be TG527 according to a spotter log. Second row, Short Sealand G-AIVX, Bristol Brigand RH809 and Bristol Freighter G-AIFO. Behind the Brigand, Firebrand EK844 and Lincoln RE292. Behind that, Viscount prototype G-AHRF and Nene Viking G-AJPH. Other aircraft include a Lancaster with a Dart turboprop up its nose, a Lincoln with Theseus outer engines, and a Lancastrian with Avon jet outer engines, VM732. Behind the Lancastrian is a Cierva Air Horse helicopter. Photo from: Nationaal Archief (Netherlands)

Work on a replacement for the Walrus and Sea Otter began in 1940 but the Seagull, not to be confused with the 1921 Supermarine Seagull, did not fly until 1948, when its rescue role was being taken over by helicopters, and only two prototypes were completed. The Griffon engine drove contra-rotating propellers. PA143 appeared at the first Farnborough show in 1948. Photo from: Vickers-Armstrongs

This Gemini was flown by Loxhams Flying Services from their Squires Gate base between June 1947 and its sale in 1952. It stands in front of their wartime-built hangar at Blackpool.

This Halifax C.8 was operated by Peteair from June 1948 until June 1949 when it was scrapped. Ex RAF PP328 and LN-OAS of Vingtor.

The Avian was stored at Hesketh Park aerodrome from the outbreak of war and by 1948 was in derelict condition. Rescued in the mid 1950s and currently exhibited in Manchester.

Thorne Aviation was a small charter operator based at Squires Gate between May 1947 and summer 1949. They used this Autocrat on pleasure flights and other activities for most of that period. The Lancashire Aircraft Corporation hangars are in the background, now used by Westair and others.