BOAC operated this aircraft until May 1946 when it was sold to Skyways. Withdrawn from use in September 1947. Photo from: Imperial War Museums

Photo taken at either South Marston, where it was built, or Eastleigh (Southampton) where it received a Supermarine Spiteful fin in January 1945. It would later receive a contra-rotating propeller. LA215 did eventually have a short service career before being scrapped. Photo from: Imperial War Museums

Became NZ4102. Used as a transport. To NZ National Airways Corporation as ZK-AMF in November 1947. Back with the RNZAF in February 1951. Sold for scrap. Photo from: Air Force Museum of New Zealand

The first RNZAF Sunderland. Still has the red centre on the roundel which was removed to avoid confusion with the Japanese roundel. ML792 received the RNZAF serial NZ4101. Photo from: RNZAF/Air Force Museum of New Zealand

At Mangere aerodrome where it crashed on May 13, 1945. It had been stolen by a teenage apprentice who had been rejected for flight training by the RNZAF. He survived the crash but ZK-AHU was burnt out. Mangere, by then a GA airport, was closed in 1961 to make way for today's Auckland International. Photo from: Whites Aviation Collection/Alexander Turnbull Library

Built by Douglas at Long Beach. Served at Great Ashfield, Suffolk, with the 550 Bomb Squadron, 385 BG (Heavy) of the 3rd Bombardment Division of the 8th Air Force. By this date the B-17s were delivered in all-metallic finish and the USAAF retained it for the raids on Germany, escorted by the P-51's. Obtained from the USAF 50 years ago.

This Barracuda II was written off landing at Fearn at night in a crosswind on 15 December 1944. It was serving 814 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm. It had been built by Fairey Aviation at Ringway in April 1944. From Fairey Aviation 50 years ago.