Images Dated 2016

Italian air armada arrives in Londonderry . General Balbo and the 23 Savoia-Marchetti SM

Italian air armada arrives in Londonderry .
General Balbo and the 23 Savoia-Marchetti SM.55X flying boats arrived safely at Lough Foyle, Londonderry, Ireland on the second stage of their Rome to Chicago fligh - the greatest formation flight ever attempted .
Photo shows ; The Italian air armada at rest on Lough Foyle, Londonderry . .
2 July 1933

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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

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A special letter from the King to Sir Patrick Duncan, Governor General of South Africa

A special letter from the King to Sir Patrick Duncan, Governor General of South Africa, was included in the first 2 1/2 tons of mail which left Southampton for Durban on the Imperial Airways flying boat "Centurion" at a flat rate of 1 1/2 d. per 1/2 ounce, without air mail surcharge. Major Tryon, the Postmaster general putting the King's letter in the mail bag before sending it on the "Centurion" inaugurating the Post Office's new "all the way by air" scheme.
29 June 1937

© TopFoto.co.uk