Images Dated 2016

Hong Kong in three days. At dawn today, Saturday, one of the BOACs latest Hythe

Hong Kong in three days.
At dawn today, Saturday, one of the BOAC's latest Hythe flying boats took off from Poole Harbour (Dorset) for Hong Kong. 16 passengers are inaugurating the first direct air route between Britain and Hong Kong, to be known as the Dragon'service. The 8352 miles will take just over three days, with stops at Marseilles, Augusta, Rangoon and Bangkok. For the moment, the Dragon'services once weekly, but it is intended to increase it to a twice-weekly run, and to extend flights to Shanghai and Tokyo.
Photo shows, first of the Dragon service, the BOAC flying boats Hazlemere taxis out to take off from Poole Harbour for Hong Kong at dawn today, Saturday.
24 August 1946

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A tragedy marred the first stage of the flight of the Italian air armada of 24 flying

A tragedy marred the first stage of the flight of the Italian air armada of 24 flying boats led by General Balbo ( the Italian Air Minister ) to America - On arrival at Amsterdam from Ortobello near Rome one of the machines capsized killing one airman and injuring four others - the other 23 machines will continue the flight - the greatest formation flight ever attempted - photo shows planes of the Italian air armada lined up on the water at Amsterdam
July 1st 1998

Vickers Supermarine Walrus Amphibian Flying Boat with a Bristol Pegasus engine

Vickers Supermarine Walrus Amphibian Flying Boat with a Bristol Pegasus engine .
Walrus is a single engined ( pusher ) biplane amphibian flying boat constructed almost entirely of metal, stainless and duralumin, the hull is flush riveted and the fabric covered superstructure has spars of stainless steel .
It is designed for service with naval cruisers and aircraft carriers for reconnaissance, fleet spotting, photographic and training purposes .
A retractable undercarriage, hydraulically operated, provides for landing on an aerodrome or on the sea . In the raised position the wheels are housed in recesses in the bottom main planes .
Walrus will be carried by vessels equipped with catapult launching gear . It was the first military aircraft with a retractable undercarriage to be adopted by the Royal Air Force and the first amphibian aircraft to be catapulted with full military load . Slinging gear is provided for hoisting on board on the conclusion of a flight .
The pilot and observor have a clear field of view, unrestricted by floats or wings from the forward enclosed cockpit .
For stowage purposes the wings can be easily and quickly folded .
A production order for the Fleet Air Arm for the Royal Navy has been received . The same type known as Seagull V, has been supplied to the Royal Australian Air Force .
18 June 1936

© TopFoto.co.uk