From rapidly evolving roles to new technologies, historian and airpower expert John Curatola discusses how fighter planes shaped the Second World War

Fulfilling his dream, our writer takes the controls of a Spitfire, Britain’s most iconic aircraft, which first took to the skies nearly 90 years ago

One of the best Soviet fighter planes of the Second World War, this aircraft also saved its design bureau

The situation looks chaotic in this mid-Eighties dash for the Channel – but there are plenty of vehicles to keep classic car-spotters occupied

ORTONA, ITALY 20-27 DECEMBER 1943

Being fired through time and space by a turbocharged Porsche engine is one of life’s great pleasures. We salute the best of the breed