Canada

The Canadair Argus is known as the CP-107 in the Canadian forces. It was developed from the Bristol Briatannia as a specialised anti-submarine patrol aircraft for the Canadian navy. Astonishingly it actually replaced the Britannia's turboprop engines with Wright R3350 Turbo-Compound radial piston engines! It first flew in 1957. 33 were built. It had a crew of 15 and was able to cruise at 200mph for over 12 hours.

This one was pictured at Comox on Victoria Island in September 1981.

The De Havilland Canada DHC2 Beaver was the Canadian company's most famous design. Intended for operation in very remote, rugged, short airstrips in the hostile far north of Canada, it has proved very hard to replace. It first flew in 1947. Powered by a Pratt & Whitney radial engine, it can carry 10 people at 155mph over 680 miles. About 1,700 were built. The US Army operated several under the designation U-6.

This one, operated by the British army, was at Mildenhall in 1988.

France

The Breguet Alize (Tradewind) is more or less the French equivalent of the Fairey Gannet, being a carrier-borne anti-submarine and airborne early warning aircraft. It is powered by a single Rolls-Royce Dart turboprop. 75 were built. Note the retractable radome under the roundel at the back.

This one was at Greenham Common in June 1977.

The Breguet Atlantic is a French long-range maritime patrol aircraft. It first flew in 1961. It has been operated by France, Germany, Holland and Italy, A few have been exported outside Europe. Powered by two Rolls-Royce Tyne turboprops, it cruises at 195mph with an endurance of 18 hours.

The top picture was taken at Mildenhall in 1988. The lower picture shows a French example converted to the electronic warfare role, at Fairford in July 2005.

The Morane-Saulnier MS760 Paris is unusual in being a four seat jet high speed communications transport. It is powered by two Turbomeca Marbore turbojets, which give it a top speed of 405mph and range of 930 miles. 165 were built. First flight was in July 1954.

This one is preserved in the Argentine Air Force museum in Buenos Aires.

Germany

The Fiesler Storch was Germany's main light liaison aircraft, and also filled many other roles such as air ambulance and light observation. It first flew in 1935. It had outstanding ability to operate in short, rough airstrips. It was normally powered by a 240hp Argus inline engine, but could alternatively (as with this one) be fitted with a Siemens radial. It is a two seater, quite large, 32 feet 5 inches long, with a wing span of 46 feet 9 inches. Top speed is a sedate 110mph, and range is only 230 miles. Over 2,500 were built.

This one was at Duxford in 2004.

Italy

The SIAI-Marchetti SM1019 is an updated development of the 1950s Cessna Bird Dog (US designation O-1) as a reconnaissance and observation aircraft with limited ground attack capability. It is powered by a 400hp Allison turboprop, and has a cruising speed of 185mph (at which the engine's high fuel comsumption gives it negligible range). The SM1019 first flew in 1969 and is principally used by the Italian Army.

This one was at Le Bourget in June 1981.

Sweden

The SAAB MFI17 is a two-seat trainer and utility aircraft with some limited ground attack capability, powered by a Lycoming 160hp piston engine and cruising at 130 mph. It is a derivative of the MFI-9 (later Bolkow) Junior light aircraft designed by Bjorn Andreasson. It is popular with many air forces because of its low cost and simplicity.

This Danish example was at Farnborough in September 1976.