Battle of Britain dogfight

31 August 1940: "At 1740 hours the squadron took off and engaged a large formation of bombers protected by 30 to 50 Me 109s over Maidstone. There was a general dogfight, in which F/O Bird-Wilson got 1 Me 109 destroyed and Me 109 probable...". (17 Squadron Operations Record). The remarkable Harold 'Birdy' Bird-Wilson on his way to his DFC.

With thanks to Tony Hisgett for two of the aircraft photos, which I have heavily modified (with permission).

Kent, England, UK

Picture keywords: aces, aerial warfare, air combat, aviation, Battle of Britain, Bf 109, bombers, classic aircraft, DFC, dogfight, fighter ace, fighter pilots, Harold Birdy Wilson, Hawker Hurricane, Hurricane Mk1, Me 109, Me 109E, Messerschmitt, victory, Winston Churchill