One of the most significant aircraft in the history of British aviation, the Hawker Siddeley P.1127 was the development forerunner of the famous Harrier and the aircraft which introduced the incredible Bristol Pegasus-vectored thrust jet engine to the world of aviation. Six aircraft were produced, however three were lost to accidents, highlighting the ground-breaking nature of this test programme.

The first production Spitfire Mk.I was delivered to RAF No.19 Squadron at Duxford on 4th August 1938, heralding the arrival of a future aviation icon. With various upgraded marks of this classic fighter serving throughout the Second World War, the Spitfire is arguably the most famous fighter aircraft to ever take to the skies.

The reconnaissance Spitfire PR.XIX was unarmed but could fly at 370mph at 40,000 feet and had a range of 1500 miles. Mk.XIX Spitfires represent the 'top end' of development of the Spitfire.

By 1943, the RAF needed a dedicated ground attack fighter and the Typhoon was suited to the role. The powerful engine allowed the aircraft to carry a load of up to two 1,000lb (454kg) bombs. From September 1943, Typhoons could also be armed with four, eight or, in some cases, even 12 "60lb" RP-3 rockets.

The Gloster Gladiator was developed from the Gloster Gauntlet as a private venture and represented both the peak and the end of the biplane fighter. In many air arms it smoothed the transition to monoplane fighters. And when confronting aircraft of its own era, it performed well.

For most RAF pilots serving between 1960 and 1988, the Hunting Aircraft (BAC) Jet Provost is extremely familiar. Forming the backbone of RAF pilot training during this period, the Jet Provost was distinctive by its broad fuselage profile, which allowed for a relatively spacious side-by-side cockpit arrangement.

Still a familiar sight at airfields all over the world, the de Havilland Tiger Moth primary trainer made its first flight back in 1931 and provided British and Commonwealth air forces with thousands of trained pilots for their operational squadrons. Performing a similar role to this day, the Tiger Moth allows prospective Warbird pilots to gain valuable experience in flying a tail-dragger aircraft.

A significant post-war achievement for Britain's aviation industry, the Bristol Belvedere was a highly capable, tandem-rotor, heavy-lift helicopter which underlined the versatility of modern rotorcraft. Featuring true twin-engine redundancy, the Belvedere could operate safely on just a single engine if required. Surprisingly, only 26 of these helicopters were produced.

The end of the Second World War saw victorious Allied nations desperately attempting to secure details of German jet technology and high-speed research data which could be applied to their own jet projects. The Soviet Union used information and engine technology obtained from Britain to introduce the diminutive Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 in 1949 - one of the most capable of the early jet fighters. 

Even as this aircraft proved effective during the Korean War, the Soviets were already working on its successor. The larger and faster Mig-17 Fresco may have looked like a larger incarnation of its predecessor, yet this was a completely redesigned aircraft, incorporating many improvements over the MiG-15 and a significant upgrade in Soviet jet capability. 

The MiG-17 was designed to perform the role of bomber killer and was never intended as a dogfighter. However, its exceptional agility would allow this aircraft to score combat victories over much heavier and more modern American designs. 

The Vietnam War was a sobering experience for the US Air Force, as some of their modern aircraft fell victim to the guns of the MiG-17. Lighter and much more manoeuvrable than the US aircraft, the subsonic MiG-17 claimed victories over aircraft like the F-105 Thunderchief and McDonnell Douglas Phantom, resulting in the US developing new agile air superiority fighters. 

Possessing excellent performance, and being cost-effective and easy to maintain, the rugged MiG-17 was produced in large numbers. It became the standard Warsaw Pact fighter from the mid-1950s and for the next decade, with aircraft produced under licence in both China and Poland.

It was an attractive fighter option for many of the world's smaller air forces and more than thirty overseas nations eventually operated the type. Perversely, for a nation against which the MiG-17 was designed to combat, America became home to significant numbers of these aircraft, most coming into the hands of private collectors but a small number used in dissimilar aircraft trials and to perfect combat techniques against smaller, more agile jet fighters. Two beautifully restored examples have also been popular display performers on the US Airshow circuit over the years.

Unquestionably one of the most distinctive British aircraft of the Second World War, the Hampden was an impressively manoeuvrable medium bomber which saw extensive service during the early stages of the war, with its narrow 3ft-wide fuselage earning it the nickname of the 'Flying Suitcase'. It was used on the RAF's first bombing raid against Berlin in August 1940.

RAF Beaufort crews were tasked with flying some of the most dangerous attack missions of the Second World War, with their aircraft often flying into a hail of enemy defensive fire. The Mk.IA variant was based on its predecessor but benefitted from increased strengthening and the addition of a Bristol B1 MK.V turret.

Well-suited for amphibious warfare and the tactical insertion of ground troops, the 'Commando' was an important variant of the Sea King. It was initially proposed as a tactical transport for the Egyptian Air Force, for which the amphibious capability of earlier Sea Kings was not required, and so the side floats were deleted. With folding rotors and tail, the Commando entered service with the Royal Navy as the Sea King HC.4. It was eventually provided with radar-warning and infrared jamming devices, and could also deploy M130/M147 flares as counter-measures. Besides troops, it could also carry underslung loads of up to 2.5 tonnes. 

Increased range and a 28-troop capacity made it ideal as an amphibious transport aircraft, and the HC.4 saw operational service in the Falklands, Balkans, Gulf, Lebanon and Afghanistan conflicts. It was often deployed to evacuate wounded personnel and refugees, as well as preparing for and supporting ground advances. It was due to be retired from UK Forces service in March 2016.

Historically positioned as Britain's first jet-powered fighter to enter service, the Gloster Meteor played a significant role in the air defence of the nation for well over a decade, with the redesigned F.8 becoming the definitive and most heavily produced variant. It was further developed into the armed reconnaissance FR.9, Meteors which served mainly overseas.

An aircraft which possibly underlines the capabilities of the modern helicopter more effectively than any other type, the mighty Boeing CH-47 Chinook has already been in military service for over sixty years and shows no sign of disappearing from world skies any time soon.

The distinctive tandem twin-rotor configuration of this heavy-lift helicopter cleverly counteracts the effects of engine torque by having each of its huge rotor blade stacks rotate in opposite directions, thus negating the need for the tail rotors traditionally associated with helicopters. 

The impressive Chinook made its first flight in 1961 and since then, it has become one of the most effective aircraft designs of the post-war era, capable of operating in almost any environment, no matter how inhospitable the terrain. Clearly, this has made the Chinook invaluable when performing many roles, ably tackling a multitude of military and civilian applications. 

As the world's largest operator of the Chinook outside the US, the Royal Air Force ordered 33 of these heavy-lift behemoths in 1978, with No.18 Squadron taking the honour of becoming Britain's first operational Chinook unit in August 1981. 

These first helicopters were designated HC.1 (Helicopter Cargo Mk.1) and had hardly settled into service when events on the other side of the world required their first overseas deployment. Following the Argentinean invasion of the Falkland Islands in April 1982, five of the RAF's Chinooks were wrapped in Driclad PVC protective covers and loaded on the deck of the requisitioned container ship Atlantic Conveyor. 

Tragically, all but one of these helicopters was lost following an Exocet missile strike on the vessel, with that surviving Chinook earning legendary status within the RAF. Having already been in Royal Air Force service for over 42 years, the latest variants of the mighty Chinook seem certain to be in service for many years to come.

The importance of the role air power played in the months leading up to D-Day cannot be overstated, with the Allied powers knowing that securing superiority of the skies over the proposed landing beaches could be the difference between success and failure of the entire operation. 

That being the case, Allied air forces were committed in ever-increasing numbers from the end of 1943, attacking airfields, supply infrastructure and other strategic targets, and mounting hundreds of diversionary attacks. This was all intended to keep German forces guessing as to the location of the anticipated invasion, but all the time diminishing their ability to respond to the landings when they came. 

With so many Allied aircraft expected to be in the air supporting Operation Overlord, Allied Commanders were concerned about the possibility of their aircraft coming under attack from friendly forces both in the air and from anti-aircraft units on the ground. 

They issued a directive that all aircraft (with some exceptions, including four-engined heavy bombers) be painted with identification markings around their wings and rear fuselage, under the strictest levels of security. 

The order to begin applying markings to troop transport, aircraft was not issued until 3rd June 1944, with other units receiving their instructions the following day. This move placed additional pressure on airfield staff already working at maximum capacity. 

On D-Day itself, over 13,000 individual sorties were flown by Allied aircraft in support of the amphibious landings and although around 127 aircraft were lost for various reasons during those operations, it's thought that the adoption of invasion makings significantly reduced numbers succumbing to incidents of friendly fire on that momentous day. 

Although the Luftwaffe were conspicuous by their absence on D-Day itself, they fought tenaciously in the weeks and months which followed, highlighting the fact that they were far from finished.

Model kits included: 

Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IXc – 26 parts.

North American P-51D Mustang – 53 parts.

Messerschmitt Bf109G-6 – 41 parts.

Hawker Tempest Mk.V – 72 parts.

Focke-Wulf Fw190A-8 – 53 Parts.

In what would often be a very personal dual fought in the skies above Europe between airmen from Allied and Axis air forces, the struggle for aerial supremacy raged throughout the Second World War. But the summer of 1944 witnessed the introduction of the new 'D' variant of the North American Mustang. Arguably the finest fighting aeroplane of the entire war was now hurled against what remained of the Luftwaffe, a force which included less experienced pilots and older variants of the famous Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter. In capable hands though, the Bf 109F Friedrich was still a deadly adversary.

The ultimate 'clash of eagles', which came to represent the struggle for aerial supremacy during the Second World War, was undoubtedly contested between Britain's Supermarine Spitfire and Germany's Messerschmitt Bf 109, two of the most famous fighting aeroplanes in the history of flight. With both fighters remaining in service throughout the war, both were continually upgraded to either gain an advantage over their adversary or to overcome one. Whilst other aircraft types would eventually join the fray, the Spitfire and Messerschmitt continued to contest their deadly rivalry, which began above the beaches of Dunkirk during the summer of 1940.

One of the greatest fighting aeroplanes in the history of aviation, the Messerschmitt Bf 109 was always at the forefront of world fighter design and, just like its adversary the Spitfire, was in constant development throughout the Second World War. 

Major variants of the fighter usually coincided with developments in the Daimler Benz engine which powered the Messerschmitt. Of the five major variants, the F or 'Friedrich' is usually considered the most refined version of the Bf 109. 

Introduced during the spring of 1941, the Bf 109F was superior to RAF Spitfires in service at that time and was flown by many successful Luftwaffe aces.

Forming the backbone of the modern Royal Air Force, the Typhoon has been continually upgraded throughout its service life and is a far more capable aircraft today than the one which first arrived at RAF Coningsby back in 2006. Now a familiar sight in Britain's skies, the Eurofighter Typhoon is the RAF's current airspace defender and, whilst it entered service back in 2006 as a dedicated air superiority fighter, this fourth-generation combat aircraft has proven itself to be much more than this. 

Now described as the world's most advanced swing-role combat aircraft, the Typhoon has developed into a true multi-role platform and arguably one of the most effective combat aircraft in service today, equally adept at undertaking reconnaissance and precision strike missions as it is challenging the latest Russian aircraft incursion into British airspace.