Ryan XFR Fireball, December 1944. This single-seat fighter was the first aircraft put into production with a combined power plant: a conventional piston engine driving a propeller and a turbojet engine.

(See also photo NS0303024.)

A British Hoverfly I landing and onboard USS Charger. The US-manufactured Sikorsky R-4B, known as Hoverfly I in British service, was the first helicopter in the world to be put into series production and the first military helicopter to be operated in sizeable numbers. Under the designation HNS-1, 68 R-4s were accepted by the US Navy between October 1943 and December 1944.

Bombing practice on target towed by USS Wasp.

Squadron on board Charger.

Flight deck officer giving signal for take-off.