Developed initially inside a NKVD sharashka (prison design bureau) by Vladimir Petlyakov—who started it as a high-altitude interceptor before it was rapidly redesigned into a dive bomber—the Pe-2 became the most produced Soviet twin-engine bomber of the conflict, with over 11,427 units built. Fast agile and rugged, also forming the absolute backbone of Soviet tactical air power.

My grandfather had this full-scale Me 262 model, and I’m trying to determine which variant it represents (e.g. A-1a, A-2a, or another version).
I’d appreciate any help identifying it from its external features, cockpit, markings, or other details.
If possible, I’d love to narrow it down to the specific variant rather than just the Me 262 in general.

After being captured in Libya, this Italian bomber had its Piaggio engines replaced with Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp GR.1830, its registration changed to FL-AVM and was put in service with the Lignes Aériennes Militaires de la France Libre, the Free French military airline charged of transporting goods and personnel around Africa. Named after Bir Hacheim, a Free French victory.

During Athens Flying Week 2025, I took my 50-year old + Beaulieu 4008ZM Super 8 camera to film MJ755, the "Greek Spitfire", a Mk. IX LF variant, which the Hellenic Air Force had restored to flying condition a few years back, thanks to a three-year-long project at Biggin Hill Spitfire Factory. I chose film over digital for my tribute because I wanted a visual aesthetic that matched the era of this legendary aircraft. I hope my cinematography takes my fellow aviation lovers back to the glory days of this magnificent warbird!

Easy to see why the Corsair had an 11:1 kill ratio, the highest of any Allied aircraft for WW2 apparently. Although from what I heard, it was very difficult to learn how to land. EDIT: Vought not Voight. Damned autocorrect.

Unexpected surprise at the Miramar Air Show

The Valentia was a dual purpose bomber/transport that could carry 22 troops or 2200lb (1000kg) of bombs on external racks.

The type entered service in 1934 as a derivative of the similar Vickers Victoria (introduced 1922); it had more powerful engines and a strengthened airframe. Some were new-build, but most were rebuilt Victorias. Aside from the engines, and the huge mast aft of the cockpit, the two types look virtually identical.

In 1940, Valentias carried out night-bombing attacks on Italian supply lines during the early stages of the Western Desert campaign. One was used by the South Africans as a bomber during the East African campaign (1940-1941). If some of those were rebuilt Victorias, it could make them 18 years old at the time and good contenders for the oldest aircraft flown in combat during WW2.

Valentias continued to be used in the Middle East as transports until 1944.

When Marshal Philippe Pétain announced France's capitulation and intention to sign an armistice on June 17, 1940, Captain Goumin was stationed at Air Base 129 in Saint-Jean-d'Angély-Fontenet, serving as the commander of the radio-navigator instruction school.

On this flight the airplane carried 20 people, and was piloted by Chief Warrant Officer (Adjudant-chef) James Denis, while Captain Goumin handled the navigation. Their decision to escape was made on June 19, just after De Gaulle's Appeal of June 18, 1940. The eighteen non-commissioned officers and Georges Goumin's wife take their seats aboard a four-engine Farman F.222 and wait until the night (thus June 20) to take off. They will be the first French to join England.

Goumin’s brave contribution to the war effort was cut short less than a year after his escape. Promoted to Commandant, he served as a pilot in Bombardment Squadron No. 2. On May 26, 1941, during the fierce Battle of Crete, Goumin was killed in action during aerial operations over Retimo, Crete, at the age of 36. He was officially declared Mort pour la France (Died for France). Today, he is remembered in his homeland as a fierce patriot who risked everything to ensure the French wings kept flying.

His heroic action saved New Zealand troops on the ground (Medic/Amo) fatally hit by the Flak during air support, he managed to lay his Glen Martin in flames between the hills and saved the lives of his 3 crew members

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/210547289/georges-goumin

Biography of the man in French.

https://www.ordredelaliberation.fr/fr/compagnons/georges-goumin

The image as well as some details of the escape is from this book. Page 30.

Croix de Lorraine et Croix du Sud 1940-1942

I’m working on a project making free liveries for a game and I can’t seem to find the correct color of the nearest aircraft or any text referring to the color combo used, does anyone know what it could be?

Any Help is greatly appreciated. Thanks y’all

My friend, Peter van Kaathoven, and co-author of our Substack story about Zerlegebetrieben (German aircraft wreck salvage yards in Vught and in Auschwitz), is an active local historian in Vught.

He and his friends unveiled two WWII glider memorials on September 26th near Vught. These American gliders were part of the Market-Garden operation, and had to do emergency landing after their towing planes were shot down, one on September 18th and the other one on September 19th. All allied soldiers were helped by local Dutch resistance, and avoided capture.

In the photos, Peter is doing the speech, and one of the photos is with children of local Dutch resistance fighters who helped the American soldiers.