FROM WAR TO PEACE

'A Photographer's View of British Aviation During the 1940s', these photographs were taken by E. G. Riding (1916-1950) who spent his entire working life in the aviation industry, but was tragically killed in a flying accident. He worked as an aircraft engineer, professional photographer, draughtsman and aero-modeller and as an aviation writer. He began taking photographs of aircraft in 1931 at the age of 15 and kept copious notes recording the locations and dates. He discovered the rapid transition from propellor-driven aircraft to first-generation jets and the early part covers his wartime work as an aircraft inspector with two major aircraft companies. Most of the photographs were taken surreptitiously. Once civil aviation returned in January 1946, Riding took many air-to-air photographs of light aircraft that made regular visits to Heathrow and Croydon to photograph the new generation of airliners. Three Farnborough Airshows are featured in addition to several race meetings and one featuring the latest piston and jet fighters. Hundreds of photos, 240 large pages.