R.A.F. aerial photography of Cold War airfields, Royal Navy ships, and submarines near Aden

[Yemen - Royal Air Force] [Photographs from the R.A.F. Khormaksar base at Aden].

€ 9,500.00

Nearly two hundred photographs from the peak of RAF operations in Yemen, most taken in and around the RAF Khormaksar base at Aden and including numerous aerial views, photographs of planes, hangars, and installations, views of ships, and likely reconnaissance photographs of the countryside showing towns and landmarks. Many are dated in their standardized RAF captions, which also list the photographer and mark the photographs "Restricted or "Confid[ential]". Several photographs show the 105 Squadron's troop carrier planes, the Armstrong Whitworth AW.660 Argosy, while others capture the early passenger jets in Aden. Uncommon aerial views dominate the collection and show the oil harbour at the Port of Aden, Khormaksar base and airfields, landing strips, and the distinctive mud brick architecture in the city and surroundings. Eleven of the aerial photographs show Royal Navy submarines travelling on the surface, taken from a relatively low altitude. The submarines are Porpoise-class, and include the H.M.S. Tireless (S77), H.M.S. Oberon (S09), H.M.S. Finwhale (S05), H.M.S. Walrus (S08), H.M.S. Talent (P337/S37), H.M.S. Scotsman (S44), H.M.S. Rorqual (S02), and several others alongside the depot ship H.M.S. Adamant. Three photographs show aerial views of an aircraft carrier with an angled flight deck and helicopters, perhaps a Royal Navy postwar class, while another interesting aerial scene captures what appears to be a depth charge test from 1963, the coast of Yemen visible in the background. The Esso Petroleum company's tanker ship, Esso Warwickshire, appears twice photographed from the air, steaming through the waters off Yemen in 1963, along with another oil tanker.

Some loose photographs beginning to curl, altogether well-preserved. Altogether a thorough collection of air and naval power and commerce in Yemen and surrounding waters, featuring RAF aerial footage of Royal Navy and RAF ships, planes, and installations.