FP_2015_05_

Br itain’s top-selling aviation monthly

EDITORIAL:

Editor – Nigel Price

Assistant Editor – Steve Beebee

Contributing Editors - Ken Ellis and Dave Unwin

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Editor’s Secretary: Vanessa Smith

FlyPast, PO Box 100, Stamford,

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DESIGN:

Art Editor – Mike Carr

PRODUCTION:

Production Editor – Sue Blunt

Deputy Production Editor – Carol Randall

Sub Editor - Norman Wells

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FlyPast (ISSN: 0262-6950), May, is published

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Printed in England

ISSN 0262-

Contributing

Editor

Ken Ellis

Assistant Editor

Steve Beebee

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Mike Carr

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Welcome

H

ello once again and welcome to your extra-value May issue. With spring nearly upon us here in the

UK, the thoughts of many are turning towards the important anniversaries that are fast approaching.

We have commemorations to mark the passing of 70 years since VE Day and VJ Day, plus of course the

75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain will be marked in the late summer. Another significant battle – the

fight for mainland Europe in May 1940 – took place 75 years ago, and this noteworthy air campaign is the

special theme in your magazine this month. We’ve focused on the British and European fighter response

to the German’s Blitzkrieg push to the west, as that element seldom receives much attention, but the bravery displayed by the

crews was staggering. A good example of the valour shown was the hopelessly outdated Hawker Hectors being repeatedly

flown over the evacuation beaches to potentially take on Bf 109s in combat. (See the Biplanes Over Calais feature on page

36.) I hope you find the special section interesting and a fitting tribute to those who served during the epic struggle.

While on the subject of anniversaries, I hear that a number of spectacular Battle of Britain mass formation flypasts are on the

cards for later this year, with several guest aircraft arriving from overseas especially for the commemorations. Rest assured that

we’ll keep you posted on these events in future issues. On that note of expectation I’ll sign off for now – enjoy reading your May

issue and don’t forget to let us know your views on all-things historic aviation; we’ll publish a selection in the letters page.

This is the month that was... This is the month that is...

Now registered as G-BEDF, ‘Sally B’ is the sole example of the

type airworthy outside of the USA and is  own as a tribute to the

USAAF crews lost in the European theatre during World War Two.

PHOTO BY DARREN HARBAR http://www.sallyb.org.uk

Forty years ago Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress N17TE took up residence in

the UK from France and made its  rst airshow appearance at Biggin Hill

in the summer of 1975. The privately owned bomber was christened

‘Sally B’ soon after its arrival.

Nigel Price

Editor

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