Although the Stirling didn’t reach its full potential as a bomber, it did perform remarkably well as a glider tug and paratroop transport and was readily available to take part in all airborne assaults on the Continent from D-Day onwards. It also played an important role in sustaining resistance groups. These modified converted bombers were known as the Stirling Mk IV and over 600 of them were built. The Mk V filled another urgent requirement for transport aircraft at the end of the war and in this guise it did modestly well.

As usual in this series, we devote most of the space to high-res original wartime photos, which we examine very closely to pick out details that have been hiding in plain sight for over 70 years. So,if you’ve never heard of low-tow and high-tow, strop guards and bridles, this is the book for you!