An aviation collection
The hangar.
A different way to fly
Explore the photographs ↓Duxford, UK · 2026
Warbirds in flight
Photographs by Thomas Owen James
RAF operational service: 1938–1954
Three Supermarine Spitfires fly together, showing both British roundels and American star markings. The Spitfire was a British fighter that served throughout the Second World War; aircraft markings reflect the forces and units that operated them.
Aircraft history ↗
RAF operational service: 1938–1954
A pair of Spitfires holds close formation against the clouds. Famous for its elliptical wings, the type became closely associated with the Battle of Britain and continued to evolve throughout the war.
Aircraft history ↗
A large formation of historic aircraft crosses the Duxford sky. Seeing them together gives a sense of the coordination involved in formation flying, with each pilot maintaining position relative to the others.
US naval service: 1946–1972
The Douglas Skyraider is a carrier-based attack aircraft with a large piston engine. It first flew in 1945 and entered fleet service in 1946, placing its operational career after the Second World War. The lowered landing gear and arresting hook are visible here.
Aircraft history ↗
RAF operational service: 1938–1954
Banking reveals the Spitfire’s distinctive wing outline and underside markings. The curved wing shape is one of the aircraft’s most recognisable features, even when seen at a distance.
Aircraft history ↗
RAF operational service: 1938–1954
This monochrome photograph emphasises the shapes of three Spitfires in flight. The black-and-white treatment evokes historic aviation photography.
Aircraft history ↗
Fleet Air Arm service: 1936–1945
The Fairey Swordfish was a naval torpedo bomber with two sets of wings and open crew positions. Its biplane layout contrasts with the Spitfires in this collection. The photograph shows its wing bracing and bold black-and-white stripes.
Aircraft history ↗
Military service: 1936–1982
The Consolidated Catalina was developed for maritime patrol and also became well known for air-sea rescue. Amphibious versions could operate from water or runways. This head-on view shows the high-mounted wing, twin engines and lowered landing gear.
Aircraft history ↗
Military service: 1938–1968
The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress was a four-engined heavy bomber used extensively by the US Army Air Forces during the Second World War. This view shows its glazed nose, four propellers and tall tail.
Aircraft history ↗
Military service: 1936–1982
A side view of the Consolidated Catalina reveals its boat-shaped hull, high wing and twin engines. The rounded observation blister behind the wing is clearly visible.
Aircraft history ↗
A biplane rests on the grass while two aircraft bank overhead. The broad, cloud-filled sky frames a moment of activity above the Duxford airfield.
P-51D US service: 1944–1957
A North American P-51D Mustang flies low over the airfield with its landing gear lowered. The Mustang became a long-range escort fighter during the Second World War; this view shows its bubble canopy and red tail.
Aircraft history ↗
Three propeller aircraft fly in close formation against a grey sky. Smoke trails from two of the aircraft trace their path across the frame.
Military service: 1938–1968
The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress banks against a dark sky, revealing its broad wings, four engines and underside markings. This angle also shows the open bomb bay beneath the fuselage.
Aircraft history ↗
Three aircraft bank across a blue sky as a bird sweeps through the foreground. A chance meeting of wings, feathered and engineered.
Three propeller aircraft bank together beneath a grey sky. Red-and-white paintwork and a yellow aircraft with a chequered nose bring colour to the formation, with their underside markings clearly visible.
A lone aircraft banks against a pale sky, revealing its curved wings, star-and-bar markings and yellow spinner. The close view captures the pilot in the cockpit and the blur of the turning propeller.