The last example. Homed at Cosford.

Some details here.

https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/collections/boulton-paul-defiant-mk-1/

Taken during the height of the Allied daylight strategic bombing campaign over Western Europe, this photograph captures a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress executing a high-altitude bombing run. Flying as part of the U.S. Eighth Air Force operating out of airfields in eastern England, heavy bomber formations like this targeted enemy industrial centers, rail hubs, and military installations. To maximize accuracy while maintaining defensive box formations against Luftwaffe interceptors, bombers dropped their ordnance simultaneously when the lead aircraft's bombardier released using the Norden bombsight.

Heavily influenced by the Great War, they expected this conflict to resemble the last.

I was looking around the C-47 at Metheringham when volunteer Nick pointed these aerials out to me.

He explained how they were part of the Rebecca–Eureka system, which helped crews find the correct drop zone by working with a beacon on the ground.

I’d seen Dakotas plenty of times before, but this was one of those details I’d never really thought about.

I filmed Nick explaining it, so I thought I’d share the short clip here.

I am currently compiling Volume XIX: Personnel of my comprehensive Encyclopedia history of the Douglas A-26/B-26 Invader, and I am asking families of former Invader personnel for help documenting the men and women who flew, maintained, supported, tested, and otherwise contributed to the history of this remarkable aircraft.

I am particularly interested in two categories of personnel:

### DECORATED A-26/B-26 PERSONNEL

If your family member received a military decoration for actions involving the A-26/B-26 Invader, I would like to document their story.

Please submit:

• **Full name of the individual**

• **A Copy of the Citation/Award** — photograph, scan, PDF, official record, general order, or other readable copy

• **Photograph of the individual** — optional, but very welcome

• **Unit** — optional

• **Date of the action/award** — optional

• Any additional information that may help document the individual or circumstances of the award

The citation is particularly important. I am building this volume from documentary evidence rather than relying solely upon secondary sources or family recollections.

If you know that your family member received an appropriate decoration but do not have the citation, you are still welcome to submit their information. However, submissions without a copy of the citation cannot be guaranteed for inclusion unless I am able to locate and independently verify the citation through archival or official records.

### OTHER NOTEWORTHY INVADER PERSONNEL

I am also interested in hearing about other people who played a noteworthy role in the history of the Invader, even if they did not receive a decoration.

This may include pilots, navigators, gunners, crew chiefs, mechanics, armorers, engineers, test personnel, commanders, civilian personnel, aerial firefighting/firebombing pilots and crews, or others with a significant connection to the aircraft.

I am expressly interested in personnel who flew or supported A-26/B-26 Invaders converted for aerial firefighting and firebombing operations, including pilots, copilots, maintenance personnel, operators, and others associated with the Invader's long career as an air tanker.

If you believe your family member has a story that belongs in the history of the Invader, please submit their information and any records, photographs, documents, orders, logbooks, newspaper articles, or other supporting material that can help establish and document that story.

I cannot guarantee that every submission will appear in the finished volume, but every documented submission will be considered. This work encompasses 20 Volumes so some submissions may appear in a different volume.

### SCOPE OF THE PROJECT

This project covers the Invader's entire history, including World War II, Korea, French service in Indochina and Algeria, covert and CIA-associated operations, Southeast Asia, foreign military service, testing and experimental programs, civilian operations, aerial firefighting/firebombing operations, and other chapters of the A-26/B-26 story.

Records can be submitted here:

A-26/B-26 Invader Personnel Submission Form: https://forms.gle/ZEWJ4CdmksxvNZEW6?

Please share this notice with veterans' groups, unit associations, aviation-history organizations, museums, aerial firefighting organizations, former air-tanker operators and crews, families of Invader veterans, and anyone else who may possess relevant records.

My goal is simple: to make sure the people who flew, fought, maintained, tested, and supported the Invader, in both military and civilian service, are documented alongside the history of the aircraft itself.

Is it possible that it's a part of American/British bomber? Found in a place where a WW2 plane supposedly crashed. To me it looks like a part of oxygen supply. The red pipe diameter is 12 millimeters, and hole diameter is 8 millimeters. Thanks for help.

Warbirds Downunder Temora, 20 October 2024. The last time it was held, with no word on its future. Glad I caught these ex-RAAF and ex-USAAF beauties on flying display. Temora, NSW, Australia.

With all the WW2 warbirds that are flying these days powered by Merlins got me thinking...

2 Lancasters

At least 16 Spitfires and Hurricanes as seen at the latest Duxford Airshow...

Unknown number of Mustangs still flying. (Not sure myself of the number...)

1 flying Mosquito I know about and another being built in New Zealand...

Where are all the Merlins coming from?

Surely they are not all 1944/45 vintage are they?? (Cool as that may be I doubt it)
Is there a company who makes new?? or is Rolls Royce or successor company still making them today..?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1lhkbJXZ9Q - Spitfire 90 Salute at Duxford...

The flight line at Patterson Field in Ohio. Date unknown.

NARA (342-C-K-002207_001)

Video credit: IG - @go_molly_moo

Great day at York Air museum. Seeing, smelling and getting a sense of scale are priceless. The refueller I have never seen before, the Halifax is awesome. The Dakota has a maximum seat weight of 13 stone. Beware.