RAF Fighter Command
How the Cold War RAF evaluated new aircraft or tactics
When Fighter Command needed a new aircraft, piece of equipment or tactic evaluating, it turned to its in-house experts at the Central Fighter Establishment. A former CFE pilot recalled his tour with this unit
Boulton Paul Defiant: Its early success in 1940
Before the Luftwaffe discovered its weak points, the Boulton Paul Defiant gave a good account of itself. Graham Pitchfork profiles two crews that had impressive success in the turret fighter…
Battle of Britain's forgotten 'Few': a star extinguished
One of Australia’s ‘Few’, Plt Off John Crossman’s star blazed briefly, but brightly, during the summer of 1940 — and is today saluted by the UK’s latest airworthy Hurricane
Battle of Britain's forgotten 'Few': a Canadian desperate to join the RAF's fight
The mother of Camille Bon Seigneur said her son was “filled with the highest ideals”. Alas, his participation in the Battle of Britain was to be brief
Battle of Britain’s forgotten ‘Few’: a brave naval aviator
The tragic tale of Fleet Air Arm pilot Arthur Blake, who fought in the RAF alongside a childhood friend
Battle of Britain's forgotten 'Few': Hurricane R4118 pilot 'Jock' Muirhead
One of three pilots to score air-to-air victories in Hawker Hurricane I R4118 during the Battle of Britain, Flt Lt Ian ‘Jock’ Muirhead was tragically shot down and killed just three weeks after his own success
Key Aero remembers: Lord Dowding
52 years ago, on this day in 1970, Air Chief Marshal (retired), Lord Hugh Caswall Tremenheer Dowding passed away at his home in Tunbridge Wells…
Revealing 1950s Fighter Command exercise report
A fascinating article on a 1957 UK air defence exercise which focused on countering a massed attack on the first day of a conflict from 'The Aeroplane’s' June 7 issue
V-Bomber Exercise Report from 1961
A fascinating insight into the testing of the capabilities of Bomber Command and Fighter Command during war games.
Battle of Britain at 80: Pick Your Battle
The Battle of Britain that ended up being fought bore little relation...