I

One question: why is 1946 so much worse than 1945? Or is it only losses for 1945 after VE-Day / VJ-Day?

I suspect that the answers lie more within the realms of psychology, than operational activities.

There was probably an element of feeling invincible, having survived the war, maybe a perception that mortal hazard had finally ceased, and flying was now just a breeze.
Ex combatants were known to become bored and restless, and there was perhaps an impulse to push the limits in pursuit of thrills and excitement, that peace-time flying was less likely to provide.

To survive the conflict, and then lose your life in a peacetime accident has a bitter irony about it .

This, of course was the inspiration for ‘Totes Meer (Dead Sea)’ 1940-1

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Not quite like that, i think, but an imaginative scenario.

A pleasing little film, worth giving up ten minutes for . CGI, but I guess budgets were tight ..

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_German

”The German is a short film written and directed by Nick Ryan, Starring Toby Kebbell and Christian Brassington. It premiered at the 2008 Cork Film Festival and has subsequently been screened at Palm Springs Film Festival, LA Shorts Festival and San Paulo Film Festival in Brazil.

Synopis

November 1940 during the greatest conflict man has ever known, an epic duel unfolds between two ace pilots, each willing to take the match to its ultimate conclusion. Unknown to the pilots is a fate neither has considered.”

I think there is scope to raise the bar on these night shoots, and make use of much more sophisticated and atmospheric lighting, rather than just one or two arc lights at essentially ground level.

The national Railway Museum at York run a hugely popular ‘Locos in a different light; event every year. Take a look on Google images for a sample.

( Unfortunately there was also a group of photographers who triggered the fire alarm, clearing the building of crowds , to facilitate uncluttered shots )

I was curious enough to find out a little more.

”Luckily the man who had dug the piece up from the Kent countryside had deliberately set out to recover parts of the Spitfire at the well-known crash site in Smeeth, Ashford. War records also provided information on the planes serial number and most importantly information on the unfortunate pilot. Like many others at the time, he died a young man well before his time.

Eric Thomas Frith was the pilot on that fateful day. The youngest of three children, he was born to Arthur Richard and Sarah Frith in Cowley, Oxford in 1914, the year that marked the start of horrendous and bloody conflict. Arthur and Sarah had married in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire on 01/06/1908.” ……………….etc

http://themanshed.cc/spitfire-pilot-sergeant-eric-frith/

Manchester up on jacks, a Stranraer flying boat and a Wimpy, all largely obsolete types by about 1942/3.

Maybe this is a passing out parade at a technical training facility, but I am puzzled what has been ‘censored out’ by the large white hangar-sized blob on the right.

Now i’m confused…

24 July: A 1941 Hawker Hurricane Mk XIIa, N54FH (c/n CCF/R32007), operated by the Flying Heritage Collection, lost a wheel during landing in Everett, Washington, USA. The propeller struck the runway, resulting in damage to the prop and engine.

http://www.warbirdalley.com/news.htm