18 iconic images of classic vintage aircraft in Portsmouth

By Steve Deeks

Published 22nd Apr 2021, 17:14 BST

Updated 3rd Oct 2024, 14:54 BST

In this selection you will see Sea Fury, Sea Hawk and Spitfire aircraft as well as many other fantastic old vintage airplanes.

It features a Sea Fury crash landing on HMS Theseus, a 1977 image of Ark Royal with her Phantom, Buccaneer and Gannet aircraft, Scimitar on HMS Victorious.

There are also photos of Fairey Firefly night fighters flying over HMS Illustrious in the early 1950’s, Spitfire pilots just back from France in 1944, HMS Edinburgh’s decommissioning Sea Fury flypast in 2013.

And also a beautiful image of a Spitfire at the D-Day 75 event back in 2019.

Seen in 1977 is HMS Ark Royal with a flight of Phantom, Buccaneer and Gannet aircraft on her flight deck.

1. Aircraft from the past

Seen in 1977 is HMS Ark Royal with a flight of Phantom, Buccaneer and Gannet aircraft on her flight deck. Photo: The News archive

A Royal Navy Firefly at HMS Daedalus August 1973. The News PP3052

2. Aircraft from the past

A Royal Navy Firefly at HMS Daedalus August 1973. The News PP3052 Photo: The News archive

HMS Illustrious. Fairey Firefly nightfighters overfly the carrier in the early 1950's.

3. Aircraft from the past

HMS Illustrious. Fairey Firefly nightfighters overfly the carrier in the early 1950's. Photo: The News archive

When it goes wrong. This is what happened to a Sea Fury after landing on the flight deck of HMS Theseus. Picture: Courtesy of Robin Kay

4. Aircraft from the past

When it goes wrong. This is what happened to a Sea Fury after landing on the flight deck of HMS Theseus. Picture: Courtesy of Robin Kay Photo: The News archive

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