Fighters Gallery

Pergamon Altar. Hephaistos and goddess Eos riding a horse

Pergamon Altar. Built by order of Eumenes II Soter. 164-156 BC by artists of the school of Pergamon. Marble and limestone. South frieze. Gigantomachy. An unidentified goddess is followed by Hephaistos, who raises a two-headed hammer aloft. He is followed by another unidentified kneeling god who thrusts a spear into the body. Next, the goddess Eos rides sidesaddle into battle. She pulls back her horse and is armed with a torch. Pergamon Museum. Berlin. Germany

© Thaliastock / Mary Evans

Vought DF-8F Crusader 143703

United States Navy - Vought DF-8F Crusader 143703 (call-sign 103'), target tug, of the Pacific Missile Centre, at Point Mugu Naval Air station, on 15 May 1965. At least forty-five F-8A's were modified to serve as target-director aircraft; designated DF-8F. In practice the DF-8F pilot spooled out a target on a cable from the port wing, which was towed at a safe distance behind. While in tow, fighters would practice gun-and missile-firing exercises, shooting at the target in tow. After the practice, the pilot retrieved the target, or empty cable. 143703 is currently aboard the USS Hornet Museum, Alameda, CA, on loan from National Naval Aviation Museum. Date: 1965

© The Peter Butt Aviation Collection / Mary Evans A The Peter Butt Aviation Collection / Mary Evans

Royal Air Force - Supermarine Swift F Mk.3

Royal Air Force - A Supermarine Swift F Mk.3 on the Engine-running de-tuner pan at the South Marston Vickers-Supermarine factory near Swindon. The F Mk.3 and F Mk.4 Swift fighters were little used by the RAF, if at all. The majority of the 25 F Mk.3 aircraft were delivered, by road, from South Marston to RAF Halton, and other training establishments, for use as ground instructional airframes, with only their acceptance flight testing flying hours. Date: circa 1953

© The Peter Butt Aviation Collection / Mary Evans