ON THE COVER:
Magnificent formation comprising the world’s only flying Curtiss SB2C Helldivers. Photography by Paul Bowen

FEATURES:
COST OF WAR
Continuing our series of WWII aircraft knocked out of action, this month we examine a variety of USAAF warplanes / by Michael O’Leary

CAP’N TOMMY AND THE WALL OF DEATH This post-war airshow act had a degree of fatalism attached. Who really was Captain Thomas Walker? / by Michael O’Leary and Doug Fisher

EVERY TRICK IN THE BOOK
Their Liberator heavily damaged in the Ploesti attack, the crew fights for survival as they bring their bomber in for a crash- landing on enemy territory / by Adam Makos

THUNDERBIRD’S RETURN
It was a long road, but Ladd Gardner finally managed to return his father’s P-51 Mustang to the family / by Michael O’Leary

DEPARTMENTS
MESSAGE FROM THE PUBLISHER

WARBIRD & CLASSIC REPORT
All the latest news on vintage and veteran aircraft around the world / by Doug Fisher

LOG ENTRIES
The saga of Jimmie Angel and the improbable search for the River of Gold / by Mark Bingham

IN THE SHOP
The forgotten importance of draftsmen during WWII / by Bruce Lockwood

CHECKLIST
New items for aviation enthusiasts

FRIDAY NIGHT OLDIES
Rare Kodachromes of surplus military aircraft / by Doug Fisher

DOWN MEMORY’S RUNWAY
Classic American aircraft from the past / by Adam Stanton

AIRLINES
News and views from the readers of Air Classics