One of the foremost British fighters of WW1 was the SE5A. 92 Squadron used theirs to great effect over the Western Front from July 1918 until the Armistice. F904 of the Shuttleworth Collection carries the WW1 area markings of 92 Squadron. Photographed at Old Warden on 2nd September 2012.
Photograph: Ian Bowskill Collection.

An early photo of a 92 Squadron Spitfire Mk1a. The GR codes date it to the Spring of 1940 and the lack of an armour plated windscreen dates it to pre Dunkirk. P9372 was shot down over Rye in September 1940. The wreck was recovered in relatively recent times and in spite of much of it being on display on the wall in the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar, it is under rebuild to flying condition.
Photographer unknown.

Ground crew attend to Spitfire Mk.1a R6597 GR-A after a landing accident at RAF Pembrey in July 1940. The pilot was Sgt Ronnie Fokes returning from a night sortie and the port undercarriage leg collapsed. She was operational again later that day. The gun patches show that the guns had been fired.
Photograph: RAF Museum (photographer unknown.)

Alan Wright at the controls of Mk Vb R6923 QJ-S in 1941.
Photograph: Charles E. Brown.

Alan Wright at the controls of Spitfire Mk.Vb R6923 sometime in 1941.
Photograph: Charles E. Brown.

Alan Wright at the controls of Spitfire Mk.Vb R6923 sometime in 1941.
Photograph: Ian Bowskill Collection.

A formation of 92 Squadron Spitfire Mk.Vb aircraft taken in the first half of 1941. The aircraft nearest the camera, R6923, was built as a Mk.1 and converted to a Mk.V prior to delivery to 92 Squadron on 26th November 1940. It remained on strength until being ditched in the sea following combat with a Messerschmitt Bf109 on 22nd June 1941. The pilot flying R6923 at the time this picture was taken was probably Flying Officer Alan Wright. Alan is an Honorary Member of The Battle Of Britain Locomotive Society.
Photograph: Ian Bowskill Collection.

Seven Mk.Vb Spitfires return from a sortie sometime in 1941. Allan Wright leads the topmost section in R6923/QJ-S.
Photographer unknown.

92 Squadron Spitfires taking off from RAF Manston in February 1941.
Photographer unknown.

MkVb Spitfire R6923 QJ-S shows its topside to the camera somewhere over southern England in May 1941. The aircraft was shot down into the sea on 22nd June 1941.
Photograph: RAF Official.

BR476 QJ/J. A Spitfire Mk.Vc (Trop) at an airfield somewhere in North Africa in late 1942.
Photograph: Ian Bowskill Collection.

JF587/QJ-3 at an airfield somewhere in Italy in 1944. The aircraft is an LF (low level fighter) MkVIII and still carries the triangular Desert Air Force badge ahead of the cockpit. It was struck off charge on 26th April 1945.
Photograph: E Barnes.

The red, outlined white, squadron code letters would indicate this is was taken either very late in WW2 or in early postwar days by which time 92 Squadron Spitfires were carrying grey/green camouflage rather than the desert scheme. It is in all probability a Mk.VIII Spitfire as 92 Squadron had relinquished the visually similar Mk.IX variant well before the end of the Italian campaign.
Photograph: by kind permission of S E Kirkham.

As part of the Battle of Britain 70th anniversary celebrations, the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight has painted its Mk.IIa Spitfire in 92 Squadron markings. A Battle of Britain veteran itself, P7350 carries the markings of Geoff Wellum's aircraft.
Geoff is an honorary member of BBLS and was both the first wartime trained and youngest pilot to serve in the Battle of Britain. Being the youngest pilot on 92 Squadron at the time he was not surprisingly given the nickname "Boy".
Photograph: Ian Bowskill.

Another shot of the BBMF Mk.IIa Spitfire carrying the 92 Squadron markings of Geoff Wellum. Photographed at Duxford on 16th May 2010.
Photograph: Ian Bowskill.

Spitfire MK.1a P9374/J was on strength with 92 Squadron on the run up to the Dunkirk evacuation. On 23rd May 1940 92 Squadron took off from RAF Hornchurch to intercept German bombers attacking British and French troops in the Dunkirk area. Peter Cazenove was the pilot of P9374 that day.
In an attack on a German formation the aircraft suffered engine damage and Peter had to force land on the beach at Calais. The Germans showed no interest in recovering it and over time P9374 sank into the sands. In 1980 the tides and shifting sands brought P9374 to the surface again and the long task of recovering her began. After an expensive and painstaking rebuild P9374 flew again some 31 years after being rediscovered. She is seen here at Duxford on August 5th 2012.
Photograph: Ian Bowskill.

Another view of P9374 at Duxford on August 5th 2012.
Photograph: Ian Bowskill.

A flight of Gloster Meteor F8s taken in late 1950, soon after 92 Squadron had received the type. The aircraft are carrying the short lived 8L squadron codes which were replaced by the more familiar red and yellow checks soon after this picture was taken.
The picture has been made available by Brian Lamb, who was a pilot on 92 at the time.

Carrying the short lived 8L squadron codes, Gloster Meteor F8 WA815/8L-D is seen outside a hanger in 1950. Probably at RAF Linton On Ouse, 92's home base at the time.
Photograph: Ian Bowskill collection.

WA763/G at the end of a line up of Gloster Meteor F8 jets, probably at the Squadron's home base of Linton on Ouse. The red and yellow checks on the fuselage date it to between April 1951 when they superseded 92's 8L codes and 1954 when the Squadron relinquished the Meteor in favour of the Sabre.
Photographer unknown.

92 Squadron was one of only two squadrons to fly the Sabre F4 in RAF Fighter Command. A flight comes in over the Yorkshire coast en route to home base at RAF Linton-on-Ouse in 1954.
Photograph: RAF.

92 Squadron's Canadair CL-13 Sabre Mk4 XD769/J taxies out at RAF Hooton Park to display for assembled members of the Royal Observer Corps. 24th July 1955.
Photograph by kind permission of R.A. Scholefield.

Canadair Sabre F4 XD728 at Ringway on 30th October 1955.
Photograph by kind permission of R.A. Scholefield.

Sabre F4 flight line at RAF Linton on Ouse in 1955.
Photograph: R. L. Ward.

Sabre F4 XD766 at RAF Linton on Ouse c.1955.
Photographer unknown.

Sabre F4 XD734 at RAF Linton on Ouse c.1955.
Photographer unknown.

Hawker Hunter F4 XF516 c.1956. Location and exact date not known.
Photographer unknown.

Hunter F4 WV314 on show c.1956. Exact date and location not known.
Photographer unknown.

Hunter F6 XE532 on show at an RAF Battle of Britain "At Home" day on 19th September 1959. Location not known.
Photographer unknown.

Hawker Hunter F6 XG232/G of 92 Squadron on show at the RAF Gaydon Battle of Britain display on 17th September 1960.
Photograph by kind permission of Peter Clarke.

The 16 Hawker Hunters of the Blue Diamonds in formation with 7 English Electric Lightning F1s as they give a joint display at the SBAC Farnborough show in 1962.
Photograph: Ian Bowskill Collection.

The Blue Diamonds. 16 Hunters in immaculate formation. A lone two seat T7 (probably XL571/V) leads 15 single seat F6 at the SBAC Farnborough show on 8th September 1962.
Photograph by kind permission of George Trussell.

With their Hunter T7 leading, the Blue Diamonds fly past in a Diamond 16 formation at the 1962 Farnborough air show.
Photograph: Adrian Pingstone.

Hunter T7, XL571/V leads in the "Blue Diamonds" at the end of a display at RAF Biggin Hill. Picture thought to have been taken in 1962.
Photograph: Ian Bowskill Collection.

An air to air shot of a pair of Blue Diamonds Hawker Hunter F6 aircraft. Date, location and photographer unknown but c.1962.
Photograph: Ian Bowskill Collection.

In the early 1960s 92 Squadron was the official RAF Fighter Command aerobatic team. Christened the "Blue Diamonds," the Squadron's Hawker Hunters sported a glorious blue colour scheme. So adorned, Hunter T7 XL571 poses for the camera at the RAF Wethersfield Armed Forces Day in August 1964.
Photograph: Ian Bowskill Collection.

In 1985 Hunter FGA9 XF418 arrived at RAF Wildenrath for Battle Damage Repair Training but 92 Squadron had other ideas. The aircraft was restored to a very close approximation of the blue livery carried by 92's Hunter F6s during the Squadron's period in the early 1960s as the Blue Diamonds aerobatic team. The aircraft is seen on roll out on 10th September 1985.
Photograph: Ian Bowskill.

A pair of F2 Lightnings undergo deep servicing at RAF Leconfield in 1963. XN781/J from 19 Squadron in the foreground and XN798/G of 92 Squadron in the background. "Golf" is wearing the earlier form of 92 Squadron colours prior to the spine being painted blue also and the nose markings gaining a white edging.
Photograph: Ian Bowskill collection.

A shot taken during the great days of the Farnborough airshow. On the left can be seen the tails of the Jet Provosts of the Central Flying School's Red Pelicans display team, on the right can be seen the Folland Gnats of the 4FTS Yellowjacks display team (forerunners to the Red Arrows) and taking centre stage are no less than seven Lightning F2s and one T4 of 92 Squadron. What a show that must have been. September 1964.
Photograph: Ian Bowskill collection.

The flight line at RAF Leconfield in October 1964. 92 Squadron's Lightning T4 XM995 is nearest with eight of their F2s arcing away from the camera. Next comes a Lightning T5 from 145 Sqd/226OCU with its red and white markings and right in the background are five somewhat plainly marked Lightning F2s of 19 Squadron.
Photograph: Ian Bowskill collection.

English Electric Lightning F2 XN769 photographed during June 1969 at 92 Squadron's then home base of RAF Gütersloh in Germany.
Photograph: Graham Dives.

English Electric Lightning F2 XN769 photographed during June 1969 at 92 Squadron's then home base of RAF Gütersloh in Germany.
Photograph: Graham Dives.

English Electric Lightning F2 XN769 photographed during June 1969 at 92 Squadron's then home base of RAF Gütersloh in Germany.
Photograph: Graham Dives.

English Electric Lightning F2A XN782/H photographed during June 1969 at 92 Squadron's then home base of RAF Gütersloh in Germany.
Photograph: Graham Dives.

92 Squadron's Lightning F2 XN783 (top) flies in formation with F3s from 111 Squadron, XP739 and 56 Squadron, XP746 and an F2 from 19 Squadron, XN779.
Photograph: Ian Bowskill collection.

EE Lightning F2s XN768/S (front) and XN783/A line up for take off at RAF Gütersloh sometime in the March or April 1969. This picture illustrates both types of nose art carried by 92 Squadron Lightnings, that on XN768 being the earlier style.
Photograph: Ian Bowskill collection.

Lightning F2A XN773/E taxis out at RAF Brüggen sometime during 1970. 92 Squadron was operating from here at the time due to runway repairs at its home base of RAF Gütersloh.
Photographer unknown, Ian Bowskill collection.

English Electric Lightning T4 XM995/T comes in to land at RAF Gütersloh in December 1970. The aircraft retains the blue fin and spine but has lost the colourful nose markings.
Photograph: Ian Bowskill collection.

By March 1971 T4 XM995/T had lost the blue fin and spine but gained the later style of nose markings. Here she is seen lining up for take off at RAF Gütersloh the same month.
Photograph: Ian Bowskill collection.

Lightning T4 XM995/T in the static lineup at the RAF Coltishall Battle of Britain Day, 15th September 1973..
Photograph: Ian Bowskill collection.

Lightning F2A XN727/W is wearing the olive green camouflage but has yet to received the two blue diamonds on the tail. Believed to have been taken at the RAF Gütersloh "Flugschau" on 6th July 1975.
Photographer unknown, Ian Bowskill collection.

F2A Lightnings XN730/J , XN732/R, XN775/B and an unidentified example make up a four ship somewhere high over Germany in the mid 1970s.
Photograph: 92 Squadron.

Lightning F2A XN778/A was Wing Commander Ed Durham's personal aircraft and carried "King Cobra" adornments to signify this. She's seen here at 92's home base of Gütersloh c.1976.
Photographer unknown.

By the mid 1970s the RAF Germany Lightnings had received olive green camouflage to their upper surfaces. 92 Squadron added two blue diamonds just under the squadron crest on the tail as a subtle reference to the days when the Squadron was the "Blue Diamonds" aerobatic team. T4 XM995/T is seen wearing this final livery variation at Gütersloh c.1976.
Photograph: Ian Bowskill collection.

English Electric Lightning T4 XM968/Q comes in to land at RAF Gütersloh on 16th August 1976. The aircraft is wearing the toned down, drab green colour scheme but as a reminder of 92's days as the Blue Diamonds aerobatic team, two blue diamonds are painted beneath the tail insignia.
Photograph: Ian Bowskill collection.

Lightning F2A XN727/W about to start its takeoff run at RAF Gütersloh c.1976.
Photograph: Ian Bowskill collection.

92 Squadron's Lightnings line up prior to taxying out at RAF Gütersloh. Close study of the tail codes will reveal that they spell out "The King Cobras XV". Photo believed to have been taken on or just before 1st April 1977 when 92 Squadron relinquished the Lightning in favour of the Phantom.
Photograph: Terry Panopalis collection.

92 Squadron aircrew at RAF Gütersloh in early 1977.
Left to right: Tim Neville, Dick Gingell, Simon Morris, Roger McGowan, Kevin Mason Pete Boothroyd, Jim Wild, Wg Cdr Ed Durham - Squadron Commander, Sqn Ldr Mike Lawrence - A Flight Commander, Ces Ilsley, Ian Burns, Paul Carol, Roger Malcolm, Mark Eynaud, Phil Owen, Pete Stone.
Photograph: Ian Bowskill collection.

Phantom F4 XV499 taken at the Queen's Silver Jubilee Review at RAF Finningley, 1977.
Photograph: Graham Dives.

Phantom F4 XV499 taken at the Queen's Silver Jubilee Review at RAF Finningley, 1977.
Photograph: Graham Dives.

Still wearing the grey/green camouflage, Phantom FGR2 XV471/V rests on the pan at the Luftwaffe's Wittmundhafen airbase in 1982. The aircraft is still carrying the large Squadron checks on the intakes but the smaller red/yellow checks have yet to appear on the RWR pod atop the fin. It is also carrying the later style of emblem on the tail. This version of the Squadron emblem was dubbed "Hissing Syd" by 92's personnel.
Photograph: Ian Bowskill collection.

Phantom FGR2 XV415 on finals to RAF Greenham Common in July 1983.
Photograph: Ian Bowskill collection.

XV415 all spruced up at the 1983 International Air Tattoo at Greenham Common. Although the under wing tank is painted in "air defence grey", the aircraft itself is still carrying the earlier grey/green scheme along with the large squadron checks on the intakes, smaller checks on the fin top electronics pod and "Hissing Syd" on the tail. July 23rd 1983.
Photograph: Ian Bowskill collection.

Major UK air exercises such as Elder Forest and Mallet Blow often gave enthusiasts the opportunity to see aircraft from RAF Germany operating from the UK. 92 Squadron's XV424/W taxis out at RAF Coningsby prior to another mission during one such exercise in October 1985.
Photograph: Ian Bowskill.

Phantom FGR2 XV480 goes vertical in a loop c.1987.
Photograph: Official RAF photograph.

Phantom FGR2 XV480 fires its SUU-23/A 30mm cannon during an Armaments Practice Camp at RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus in 1987. Note the spent shell cases streaming back from the gun pod.
Photograph: Official RAF photograph.

McDonnell Douglas Phantom FGR2 XV49/U at RAF Akrotiri in the summer of 1989. It is carrying short lived tail markings to mark the Squadron commander, Wing Commander Dave Pollington's 4,000 hours on Phantoms.
Photograph: Dave Pollington, via Ian Bowskill.

Towards the end of the Phantom's RAF career squadrons began sporting coloured tails reminiscent of the Lightning era. Surprisingly 92's Phantoms sported red tails rather than the blue of their Lightnings. XV412/P basks in the sun at Brize Norton as the storm clouds roll in on 6th October 1990.
Photograph: Ian Bowskill collection.

XV435 taxis out on another mission during 92's final Armaments Practice Camp as an F4 Squadron at RAF Valley. Easter 1991.
Photograph: Phil Bradshaw.

XV467 taxis out on another mission during 92's final Armaments Practice Camp as an F4 Squadron at RAF Valley. Easter 1991.
Photograph: Phil Bradshaw.

Carrying the Wing Commander's pennant of 92's boss Wing Co Ken Claxton, XV498 comes in to land on Runway 32 during 92's final Armaments Practice Camp as an F4 Squadron at RAF Valley. Easter 1991.
Photograph: Phil Bradshaw.

XV422 comes in to land on Runway 32 during 92's final Armaments Practice Camp as an F4 Squadron at RAF Valley. Easter 1991.
Photograph: Phil Bradshaw.

In 1991 92 Squadron disbanded on the F-4 Phantom. To mark the occasion XV408/Z was painted in an overall blue scheme reminiscent of the Squadron's Blue Diamonds Hunters of the early 1960s. The Squadron markings on the side also bore more than a passing resemblance to those carried by 92's F2 Lightnings. Here the aircraft is seen taxiing out at RAF Fairford on 22nd July 1991.
Photograph: Ian Bowskill.

Hawk T1A XX157 flies over the North Devon countryside during 92 Squadron's time at RAF Chivenor.
Photograph: 92 Squadron via Ian Bowskill.

April 1st 1993 saw a Royal Review at RAF Marham to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the formation of the RAF. A full dress rehearsal took place on March 30th and I was lucky enough to obtain passes courtesy of 92 Squadron.
A brief burst of sunshine illuminates BAe Hawk T1A XX292/R. The aircraft is carrying its full complement of armament in the shape of a centre line gun pod and two AIM-9L "Sidewinder" heat seeking air to air missiles.
Photograph: Ian Bowskill.

On June 22nd 1993 XX337/K, a Hawk T1A of 92 Squadron, skirts the North Devon coastline on a mission out of RAF Chivenor. A 19 Squadron example trails behind.
Photograph: Rick Brewell.

Hawk T1A XX157 above the clouds and in formation with another Hawk T1A from 19 Squadron in 1994.
Photograph: 92 Squadron via Ian Bowskill.

In 1994 92 Squadron was chosen to provide the RAF Hawk Solo Display for the airshow season. The livery chosen harked back to 92's days as the "Blue Diamonds" as well as giving a nod to the Red Arrows' markings. Hawk T1 is put through its paces by Flt. Lt. Dave Stobie, display pilot for the year. Dave went on to fly with the world famous Red Arrows.
Photograph: 92 Squadron via Ian Bowskill.

Flt. Lt. Dave Stobie putting Hawk T1 XX178 through its paces prior to the 1994 air display season.
Photograph: 92 Squadron via Ian Bowskill.

As part of the Battle of Britain 70th anniversary celebrations the RAF Tucano display aircraft have been painted in 1940s camouflage and adopted squadron markings of the era.
Tucano T1 ZF317 wears 92 Squadron codes. QJ-F was flown by Brian Kingcombe who was a leading pilot and Flight Commander with 92 during the Battle of Britain. He also took temporary charge of the Squadron after the Squadron Leader was incapacitated through injury.
Photograph: Ian Bowskill.