DEFENDERS of the REALM

Biplane fighters and bombers held sway at the time of the 1936 Air Exercises, but Britain’s defensive and offensive capabilities needed rapid improvement to meet potential new threats A scene from Biggin Hill as No 111 Squadron’s Gloster Gauntlets are readied for a sortie during the 1936 Air Exercises. ALL PHOTOS AEROPLANE Overstretch. It was a familiar theme in relation to the RAF of recent years, especially when simultaneous combat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq took their toll. Add in