Classic Warbirds
@classicwarbirds.co.uk
Covering military aviation between 1930 and 1945. Profiling the aircraft, people and events that took place.
Posts by Andrew Clayton
https://www.classicwarbirds.co.uk
Posts by Andrew Clayton
https://www.classicwarbirds.co.uk
Pinned
Get more warbird content at www.classicwarbirds.co.uk. Our website has profiles on over 90 aircraft, a range of articles, a Battle of Britain timeline and a guide to aviation museums.
#OnThisDay in 1943, the Spitfire Mk XIV prototype made its first flight. Production examples were powered by the 2,035-hp Rolls-Royce Griffon 65 engine, giving the aircraft a top speed of 439 mph.
Read our Spitfire profile at www.classicwarbirds.co.uk/british-airc... #ww2 #WorldWar2
Read our Spitfire profile at www.classicwarbirds.co.uk/british-airc... #ww2 #WorldWar2
January 20, 2026 at 8:26 AM
#OnThisDay in 1943, the Spitfire Mk XIV prototype made its first flight. Production examples were powered by the 2,035-hp Rolls-Royce Griffon 65 engine, giving the aircraft a top speed of 439 mph.
Read our Spitfire profile at www.classicwarbirds.co.uk/british-airc... #ww2 #WorldWar2
Read our Spitfire profile at www.classicwarbirds.co.uk/british-airc... #ww2 #WorldWar2
#OnThisDay in 1941, No. 263 Squadron, based at RAF Exeter, became the first to be fully equipped with the Westland Whirlwind.
Read our Whirlwind profile at www.classicwarbirds.co.uk/british-airc... #ww2 #WorldWar2
Read our Whirlwind profile at www.classicwarbirds.co.uk/british-airc... #ww2 #WorldWar2
January 20, 2026 at 8:17 AM
#OnThisDay in 1941, No. 263 Squadron, based at RAF Exeter, became the first to be fully equipped with the Westland Whirlwind.
Read our Whirlwind profile at www.classicwarbirds.co.uk/british-airc... #ww2 #WorldWar2
Read our Whirlwind profile at www.classicwarbirds.co.uk/british-airc... #ww2 #WorldWar2
Avro Lancaster B VII (NX611) ‘Just Jane’ – Restoration Update 251.
➡️ vintageaviationnews.com/restorations...
➡️ vintageaviationnews.com/restorations...
January 19, 2026 at 12:46 PM
Avro Lancaster B VII (NX611) ‘Just Jane’ – Restoration Update 251.
➡️ vintageaviationnews.com/restorations...
➡️ vintageaviationnews.com/restorations...
Airfix have announced their 2026 releases at uk.airfix.com/new?langPath...
January 19, 2026 at 12:01 PM
Airfix have announced their 2026 releases at uk.airfix.com/new?langPath...
#OnThisDay in 1939, the Blenheim Mk IV entered service with the Royal Air Force when No. 53 Squadron, based at RAF Odiham, received the first examples.
Read our Blenheim profile at www.classicwarbirds.co.uk/british-airc... #Aviation #History
Read our Blenheim profile at www.classicwarbirds.co.uk/british-airc... #Aviation #History
January 19, 2026 at 8:44 AM
#OnThisDay in 1939, the Blenheim Mk IV entered service with the Royal Air Force when No. 53 Squadron, based at RAF Odiham, received the first examples.
Read our Blenheim profile at www.classicwarbirds.co.uk/british-airc... #Aviation #History
Read our Blenheim profile at www.classicwarbirds.co.uk/british-airc... #Aviation #History
Corgi have announced their January - April 2026 releases at uk.corgi.co.uk/new?langPath...
January 18, 2026 at 12:09 PM
Corgi have announced their January - April 2026 releases at uk.corgi.co.uk/new?langPath...
During 1935 Britain decided to try and win back the air speed record held by Italy. But with war looming and delays with the Spitfire, things wouldn't go to plan.
Read our article at www.classicwarbirds.co.uk/articles/the... and find out about the High Speed Spitfire. #aviation
Read our article at www.classicwarbirds.co.uk/articles/the... and find out about the High Speed Spitfire. #aviation
January 18, 2026 at 10:45 AM
During 1935 Britain decided to try and win back the air speed record held by Italy. But with war looming and delays with the Spitfire, things wouldn't go to plan.
Read our article at www.classicwarbirds.co.uk/articles/the... and find out about the High Speed Spitfire. #aviation
Read our article at www.classicwarbirds.co.uk/articles/the... and find out about the High Speed Spitfire. #aviation
The Historic Aircraft Collection's Hawker Nimrod Mk II will be moving to Shuttleworth.
➡️ www.facebook.com/historicairc...
➡️ www.facebook.com/historicairc...
January 16, 2026 at 11:04 PM
The Historic Aircraft Collection's Hawker Nimrod Mk II will be moving to Shuttleworth.
➡️ www.facebook.com/historicairc...
➡️ www.facebook.com/historicairc...
Crew of carrier HMS Dasher recognised for Arctic Convoy duty 83 years after tragedy.
➡️ www.forcesnews.com/services/nav...
➡️ www.forcesnews.com/services/nav...
January 16, 2026 at 8:46 PM
Crew of carrier HMS Dasher recognised for Arctic Convoy duty 83 years after tragedy.
➡️ www.forcesnews.com/services/nav...
➡️ www.forcesnews.com/services/nav...
During #WW2 Jeffrey Quill was Head of Development and Production Flying for Vickers Supermarine. As a result of his position, Jeffrey would fly all the Spitfire variants produced, the only person to do so.
📷 www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Quill...
📷 www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Quill...
January 16, 2026 at 6:44 PM
During #WW2 Jeffrey Quill was Head of Development and Production Flying for Vickers Supermarine. As a result of his position, Jeffrey would fly all the Spitfire variants produced, the only person to do so.
📷 www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Quill...
📷 www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Quill...
This weeks artwork is a 1943 painting by Charles Cundall, WAAF Mechanics. #Art #YearOfArt
🎨 www.iwm.org.uk/collections/...
🎨 www.iwm.org.uk/collections/...
January 15, 2026 at 10:26 PM
This weeks artwork is a 1943 painting by Charles Cundall, WAAF Mechanics. #Art #YearOfArt
🎨 www.iwm.org.uk/collections/...
🎨 www.iwm.org.uk/collections/...
Key Publishing are having a sale on quite a few books at shop.keypublishing.com/collections/..., a number of aviation titles available. I may have brought some...
January 15, 2026 at 10:17 PM
Key Publishing are having a sale on quite a few books at shop.keypublishing.com/collections/..., a number of aviation titles available. I may have brought some...
Reposted by Classic Warbirds
LDN: Our first Dementia Friendly Tour of 2026 takes place on 29 Jan. ✈️💙
It will be a free, relaxed Battle of Britain tour for people living with early-stage dementia and their carers, with hands-on objects and inspiring stories 🤲📸
Full details at: bit.ly/4bA9m0N
@alzheimerssoc.bsky.social
It will be a free, relaxed Battle of Britain tour for people living with early-stage dementia and their carers, with hands-on objects and inspiring stories 🤲📸
Full details at: bit.ly/4bA9m0N
@alzheimerssoc.bsky.social
Dementia Friendly Tour - RAF Museum
Discover more about the history of flight and the Royal Air Force in this bespoke dementia friendly tour at our London site
bit.ly
January 15, 2026 at 10:00 AM
LDN: Our first Dementia Friendly Tour of 2026 takes place on 29 Jan. ✈️💙
It will be a free, relaxed Battle of Britain tour for people living with early-stage dementia and their carers, with hands-on objects and inspiring stories 🤲📸
Full details at: bit.ly/4bA9m0N
@alzheimerssoc.bsky.social
It will be a free, relaxed Battle of Britain tour for people living with early-stage dementia and their carers, with hands-on objects and inspiring stories 🤲📸
Full details at: bit.ly/4bA9m0N
@alzheimerssoc.bsky.social
Reposted by Classic Warbirds
⏰ Behind-the-scenes reminder
Join us at the RAF Museum Midlands for an exclusive one-hour Conservation Centre tour. Get up close to aircraft, engines, vehicles and artefacts usually hidden from view.
📅 Fri 16, 23 & 30 January 2026
🎟️ £55 | Limited to 6 guests per tour
👉 bit.ly/457q6s9
Join us at the RAF Museum Midlands for an exclusive one-hour Conservation Centre tour. Get up close to aircraft, engines, vehicles and artefacts usually hidden from view.
📅 Fri 16, 23 & 30 January 2026
🎟️ £55 | Limited to 6 guests per tour
👉 bit.ly/457q6s9
Behind the Scenes Tour - RAF Museum
Join our behind-the-scenes tour where you will visit the Sir Michael Beetham Conservation Centre, currently used to store exhibits not yet on display.
bit.ly
January 15, 2026 at 10:14 AM
⏰ Behind-the-scenes reminder
Join us at the RAF Museum Midlands for an exclusive one-hour Conservation Centre tour. Get up close to aircraft, engines, vehicles and artefacts usually hidden from view.
📅 Fri 16, 23 & 30 January 2026
🎟️ £55 | Limited to 6 guests per tour
👉 bit.ly/457q6s9
Join us at the RAF Museum Midlands for an exclusive one-hour Conservation Centre tour. Get up close to aircraft, engines, vehicles and artefacts usually hidden from view.
📅 Fri 16, 23 & 30 January 2026
🎟️ £55 | Limited to 6 guests per tour
👉 bit.ly/457q6s9
Reposted by Classic Warbirds
My latest Legion Magazine article is an interview with historian Jane Gulliford Lowes (@lydiajane13.bsky.social), detailing the story of Bomber Command’s mine-laying, or "gardening," operations in WW II—including Canadian efforts.
legionmagazine.com/historian-ja...
📸Courtesy Jane Gulliford Lowes
legionmagazine.com/historian-ja...
📸Courtesy Jane Gulliford Lowes
January 14, 2026 at 8:49 PM
My latest Legion Magazine article is an interview with historian Jane Gulliford Lowes (@lydiajane13.bsky.social), detailing the story of Bomber Command’s mine-laying, or "gardening," operations in WW II—including Canadian efforts.
legionmagazine.com/historian-ja...
📸Courtesy Jane Gulliford Lowes
legionmagazine.com/historian-ja...
📸Courtesy Jane Gulliford Lowes
We recently updated our Douglas Dakota profile at www.classicwarbirds.co.uk/american-air...
The twin-engined Dakota, also known as the Skytrooper, was based on the Douglas DC-3, and was used in a variety of roles, most notably as transport for airborne troops and as a glider tug.
The twin-engined Dakota, also known as the Skytrooper, was based on the Douglas DC-3, and was used in a variety of roles, most notably as transport for airborne troops and as a glider tug.
January 14, 2026 at 7:09 PM
We recently updated our Douglas Dakota profile at www.classicwarbirds.co.uk/american-air...
The twin-engined Dakota, also known as the Skytrooper, was based on the Douglas DC-3, and was used in a variety of roles, most notably as transport for airborne troops and as a glider tug.
The twin-engined Dakota, also known as the Skytrooper, was based on the Douglas DC-3, and was used in a variety of roles, most notably as transport for airborne troops and as a glider tug.
Reposted by Classic Warbirds
Good morning! NOBODY talks about the Short Stirling ... Apart from us! Today we have a whole episode devoted to this magnificent (and surprisingly adaptable) beast
www.buzzsprout.com/2327200/epis...
www.buzzsprout.com/2327200/epis...
January 14, 2026 at 7:38 AM
Good morning! NOBODY talks about the Short Stirling ... Apart from us! Today we have a whole episode devoted to this magnificent (and surprisingly adaptable) beast
www.buzzsprout.com/2327200/epis...
www.buzzsprout.com/2327200/epis...
#OnThisDay in 1947, No. 6 Squadron, equipped with Hurricane Mk IVs, performed the types last operational RAF sortie.
Read our Hurricane profile at www.classicwarbirds.co.uk/british-airc... #Aviation #History
Read our Hurricane profile at www.classicwarbirds.co.uk/british-airc... #Aviation #History
January 13, 2026 at 4:38 PM
#OnThisDay in 1947, No. 6 Squadron, equipped with Hurricane Mk IVs, performed the types last operational RAF sortie.
Read our Hurricane profile at www.classicwarbirds.co.uk/british-airc... #Aviation #History
Read our Hurricane profile at www.classicwarbirds.co.uk/british-airc... #Aviation #History
We recently updated our Douglas SBD Dauntless profile at www.classicwarbirds.co.uk/american-air...
The Dauntless was the United States Navy foremost dive bomber during the early part of the war in the Pacific. It played a major role in the Battle of the Coral Sea and the Battle of Midway in 1942.
The Dauntless was the United States Navy foremost dive bomber during the early part of the war in the Pacific. It played a major role in the Battle of the Coral Sea and the Battle of Midway in 1942.
January 12, 2026 at 8:57 PM
We recently updated our Douglas SBD Dauntless profile at www.classicwarbirds.co.uk/american-air...
The Dauntless was the United States Navy foremost dive bomber during the early part of the war in the Pacific. It played a major role in the Battle of the Coral Sea and the Battle of Midway in 1942.
The Dauntless was the United States Navy foremost dive bomber during the early part of the war in the Pacific. It played a major role in the Battle of the Coral Sea and the Battle of Midway in 1942.
Reposted by Classic Warbirds
January 11, 2026 at 6:52 PM
Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust founder Kenneth Bannerman has passed away.
➡️ www.facebook.com/Airfields/po...
➡️ www.facebook.com/Airfields/po...
January 11, 2026 at 6:44 PM
Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust founder Kenneth Bannerman has passed away.
➡️ www.facebook.com/Airfields/po...
➡️ www.facebook.com/Airfields/po...
January 11, 2026 at 5:39 PM
January 11, 2026 at 5:37 PM
World War II Spitfire pilot Vincent Smith from Kendal dies.
➡️ www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/news/2575448...
➡️ www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/news/2575448...
January 11, 2026 at 5:36 PM
World War II Spitfire pilot Vincent Smith from Kendal dies.
➡️ www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/news/2575448...
➡️ www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/news/2575448...