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The RAF Chronicle
5 June

On This Day, 1999: On 5 June 1999 RAF Tornados flew their first combat missions from Solenzara in Corsica during Operation Allied…

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Second World War

Aircraft profiles from the second world war era of the Royal Air Force.

14 Aircraft Profiles
Featured Second World War Aircraft

Avro Anson

A. V. Roe and Company

Maritime Aircraft

The Avro Anson, a monoplane with a fixed undercarriage, entered RAF service in 1936 for the roles of coastal reconnaissance and maritime patrol. It was the RAF's first all-metal, monoplane type. Although slow by modern standards, it performed much needed night time patrols during the inter-war period and early years of war. In 1939, the Anson was beginning to be employed as a trainer and for communication duties. It would carry out these roles for the next 30 years until 1954.

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Entered service March 1936
Retired 1968
Max speed 188 mph (303 km/h)
Ceiling 19,000 ft (5,791 m)
Range 790 mi (1,271 km)

Second World War · 14 aircraft

Formation & Interwar

Avro Anson

A. V. Roe and Company
Maritime Aircraft 1936–1968
Second World War

Avro Lancaster

A. V. Roe and Company
Bomber Aircraft 1942–1956
Second World War

Avro Manchester

A. V. Roe and Company
Bomber Aircraft 1940–1942
Second World War

Bristol Beaufighter

Bristol Aeroplane Company
Fighter Aircraft 1940–1946
Second World War

Bristol Blenheim

Bristol Aeroplane Company
Bomber Aircraft 1937–1944
Second World War

Douglas Dakota

Douglas Aircraft Company
Transport & Support Aircraft 1942–1970
Second World War

Handley Page Halifax

Handley Page
Bomber Aircraft 1940–1952
Second World War

Hawker Hurricane

Hawker Aircraft Ltd
Fighter Aircraft 1937–1947
Second World War

Hawker Typhoon

Hawker Aircraft
Fighter Aircraft 1941–1945
Second World War

Short Stirling

Short Brothers
Bomber Aircraft 1940–1946
Second World War

Short Sunderland

Short Brothers
Maritime Aircraft 1938–1959
Second World War

Supermarine Spitfire

Supermarine Aviation Works (Vickers) Ltd
Fighter Aircraft 1938–1954
Second World War

Vickers Wellington

Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd
Bomber Aircraft 1938–1945
Second World War

Westland Lysander

Westland Aircraft Ltd
Reconnaissance & Special Duties 1938–1946

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An independent publication exploring the history of the Royal Air Force and British military aviation. Not affiliated with Ministry of Defence.

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