By the outbreak of war in September 1939 Britain was far from ready for any sort of conflict. The RAF and FAA were severely understrength with not enough trained pilots. With the threat of war looming a surge in aircraft development and manufacture began in mid to late 30’s with, as we have seen, the emergence of the next generation monoplane fighters. However, German advances had been swift and building since 1933. Hitlers Luftwaffe were to dominate the skies for the first eighteen months with their aircraft outclassing British fighters. The Battle of Britain was a triumph, but only just. If it was not for the German decision to turn to night bombing things could have been a lot worse. Once the British fighters were developed and sufficient in numbers, matching the German fighters, the air war could begin an offensive. Bomber Command suffered huge losses as all their bombers, apart from the Wellington, were outdated, ill equipped to deal with enemy fighters and too slow. It was only with the advent of the four engine heavies that Bomber Command could unleash terror over Germany. Many of the most iconic British aircraft were developed just before and during the war with many entering service in quick succession throughout the conflict, including the first ever British jet fighter.

These are but a few…