FlyPast Magazine June 2018 Back Issue

Don’t miss this special 132-page June issue of FlyPast, which focuses on one of the most important conflicts of World War Two – the battle for North Africa. We chart the exploits of the South African Air Force’s 4 Squadron, which flew Curtiss P-40 Tomahawks and Kittyhawks, and look at how hard-pressed Bristol Blenheim units fared in the early days of the campaign. We also examine Wellington ‘ops’ to knock out Rommel’s supply lines. Our cover star is a P-40 that flies in the colours of RAAF desert ace Wg Cdr Bobby Gibbes.

Phantom school
Ian Black describes how RAF aircrew made the transition to the Phantom - a type he describes as “the choice of kings”.

Skyraider duo
The Cavanaugh Flight Museum’s two Douglas Skyraiders are profiled by Luigino Caliaro.

Dambusters film
Seventy-five years after the Dambusters raid, the film it inspired has been restored for cinema and DVD.

RAF over France
With Hitler turning his attention to Russia, the RAF intensified its sweeps over France - as detailed by Andrew Thomas.

Moonlit assassins
Warren E Thompson reflects on the use of Corsairs, Skyknights and Tigercats as nocturnal predators in the Korean War.

We also report from Old Warden in Bedfordshire where Supermarine Spitfire Vc AR501 has made its first flight after many years of restoration, while Spitfires and other aircraft took to the skies recently to mark the RAF’s centenary. A visit is made to the sprawling China Aviation Museum in Beijing where many fascinating Eastern Bloc aircraft are housed, and we drop in at the headquarters of Jet Art Aviation in Yorkshire which continues to restore numerous RAF Cold War jets.