Spinners

Hawker Harrier Mk.51 - Escuadrón Aéreo 113, Fuerza Aérea del Perú, 1973

Hawker Harrier Mk.51 - 112 Esc, Fuerza Aérea del Perú, 1975

Grumman A-6A Intruder - Flottille 12F, Aéronavale, 1966

Aero S-107 Žralok (Shark) - Czechoslovak Air Force, 1962

Froggie goes a courting... Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IXc - No.348 (Luxembourg) Squadron, Royal Air Force, 1943 (a fictional squadron)

de Havilland Vampire FB.5 - No.349 Squadron, Belgian Air Force, 1949

Belgian Vampires

San Miguel please!

I'm not in Spain.

Or, one of my favourites, a No.43 Squadron pilot describing how the Gloster Meteor handles at altitude, “she wallows like a sick cow above 30,000ft.”

That's how I see her. Also, pilots do seem to say things like, "she handles beautifully" (usually Spitfire pilots) or "she handles like a cow/pig/mule" (Avia S-199 or Javelin pilots).

Anything goes in 'what if' land

For the 'front line' that really is quite late isn't it?

This line from the Vampire Wiki page caught my eye; In total 3,268 Vampires were built in 15 versions, including twin-seat night fighters, trainers and carrier-based Sea Vampires. The Vampire was used by 31 air forces. Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and the U.S. were the only major Western powers not to use the aircraft. Well, let's put that right!!

Lighten Up

de Havilland F-74A Vampire - 44th Aggressor Fighter Squadron, Ash Fork AFB, North Arizona, 1952 In the opening weeks of the Korean War in 1950 the various UN air forces encountered a wide range of North Korean aircraft and the rather pedestrian looking Yak-17 (later codenamed 'Feather') was an early surprise being tough, agile and available in large numbers. Despite its modest speed the lightweight Yak-17 could turn on the proverbial sixpence and the heavily laden UN piston-enginned fighter-bombers soon fell prey to its twin 23mm cannon armament. Of course, even more of a shock was the MiG-15 and the USAF soon became increasingly concerned at the steadily worsening kill to loss ratio. Whilst better equipment was on its way, most notably in the shape of the superb F-86A Sabre, visionaries within the USAF quickly realised that better training and tactics were also required. Led by Colonel Irwin J. Reinhard, 'Project Gunsight' was quickly created to provide air combat training and tactics for USAF fighter pilots and an important aspect was dissimilar air combat training as most USAF fighter-jocks learned by training against their own aircraft type or by the occasional 'bounce' against (or by) another USAF aircraft type. Project Gunsight was formed at Ash Fork AFB in Northern Arizona and whilst, initially at least, nothing could effectively simulate the MiG-15 Reinhard reckoned that the British de Havilland Vampire would make an ideal Yak-17 simulator. Accordingly, 12 ex-RAF Vampire aircraft were quickly dispatched to Ash Fork to form the 44th (Aggressor) Fighter Squadron in February 1951 and these were used until November 1952 when it became apparent that the numbers of Yak-17's being encountered had dwindled to zero. However, the F-74A remained a popular 'check ride' aircraft at Ash Fork for a few years after its operational role had ended. The circle is complete. The student is now the master...

de Havilland Vampire FB.5 - 61st Fighter Squadron, Ala 6, Spanish Air Force, 1954

de Havilland P-74A Vampire - 44th Aggressor Fighter Squadron, USAF, 1952

de Havilland Vampire FB.5 - Jagdbombergeschwader 34

No room for Polly Grey though. Perhaps the codes should be on the booms? Or lose the flag and put dear Polly on the fin?

de Havilland Vampire FB.5 - No.322 Squadron, Royal Netherlands Air Force, 1951

Canadian built Hurricane Mk.X - No.55 Operational Training Unit, RAF, 1942

Up and down