Relegated Collection

Brewster F2A Buffalo of the US Navy, aloft in Aug 1942 by when the type was relegated to training duties, having proved no match to the Japanese fighters

Aston Villa 1 - 2 Sheffield Wednesday First Division match held at Villa Park. 4th May 1987

Royal Air Force - Avro Lancaster B. VI
Royal Air Force - Avro Lancaster B.VI, one of nine aircraft converted from B.IIIs, fitted with Rolls-Royce Merlin 85/87 which had two-stage superchargers

United States Air Force - Republic YRF-84F Thunderstreak 49-2430 FICON parasite, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, seen with the retractable nose hook extended

United States Air Force North American T-6G Texan 50-1279, buzz-number TA-279, (msn 168-443), at the USAF Museum storage compound at Wright-Patterson AFB, OH

Fairey Gannet AS. 4 XG631
Royal Navy - Fairey Gannet ECM.6 XG831 (msn F9373), of 831 Naval Air Squadron. Built as an AS.4, converted to ECM.6, re-delivered on 31 May 1957

English Electric Canberra B. 2 WV787
Aeroplane & Armament Experimental Establishment - English Electric Canberra B.2 WV787 (msn 71644), water-spray tanker for icing tests

Panavia Tornado XX947 (msn P03/2003), the third prototype / Development aircraft, at the 1980 SBAC Farnborough Airshow on 6 September 1980

Billy McNeill, Aston Villa Football Manager 1986?1987. Down and Out. Pictured leaving Villa Park with coach Ron Wylie, after the sides 2-1 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday

Hawker Hunter T. 8B XF967
Royal Air Force - Hawker Hunter T.8B XF967 (msn 41H/695343 / HABL-003122) First flown on 9 April1956, delivered on 15 may 1956

Royal Air Force - Gloster Javelin FAW. 7R XH901
Royal Air Force - Gloster Javelin FAW.7R XH901 delivered 13 January 1959, relegated to ground instructional duties as 7800M at Catterick Fire School 25 January 1965. Date: circa 1961

AMF - Sop. 1E2. - Sopwith 1 half Strutter trainer
Aviation Militaire Francaise - Sop.1E2. - A two-seat bomber Sopwith 1 and a half Strutter (Sop 1B2) relegated from first-line service as a trainer

Royal Air Force Auster T. 7 WE600
Royal Air Force Auster T.7 WE600, at the RAF 50th anniversary show, RAF Abingdon. Delivered on 25 May 1951, relegated to ground training duties as 7602M and later preserved in the RAF Museum

Gloster Sapphire Meteor WA820
Gloster Sapphire Meteor F.8 WA820 at the 1950 SBAC Farnborough Air Show. In the background can be seen Gloster Meteor F.4 VZ389 and Avro Lincoln B.2 RA657 of Flight refuelling Ltd

Mitsubishi Ki-21-1a Sally -this bomber entered service with the Japanese Army in August 1938, but relegated to secondary duties by 1942 Over 1700 built

Mitsubishi Ki-30 Army Type 97 Ann -Japanese Army light bomber used fro mid 1941 Relegated to training by end 1942, many later used for Kamikaze attacks

Hawker Henley -started life as a light bomber, but relegated to target towing

Blackburn Botha - designed as a torpedo bomber, the Bothas dismal performance led to it being relegated to the training role

Potez 541 -over 190 were produced as bombers Later relegated to transport work with Vichy French, all were lost or retired by late 1943

Junkers Ju 86G -although relegated to training, some were commandeered for bombing on the Eastern Front

Handley Page Harrow -relegated from bombing by late 1939, the Harrow was used as a transport

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"From the skies to the pitch, a tale of relegation unfolds" In August 1942, the Brewster F2A Buffalo of the US Navy soared aloft, unaware of its impending fate. Little did it know that just like Aston Villa in their First Division match against Sheffield Wednesday at Villa Park, it would face a bitter defeat with a scoreline of 1-2. The Royal Air Force's Avro Lancaster B. VI also experienced the sting of relegation. Once a mighty bomber soaring through the clouds, it now found itself grounded and stripped of its former glory. Similarly, Mitsubishi Ki-30 Army Type 97 Ann and Mitsubishi Ki-21-1a Sally were once proud members of Japan's aerial forces. These bombers entered service with great promise but ultimately faced relegation from their esteemed positions. Even Hawker Henley started life as a light bomber but was eventually relegated to obscurity. Its wings clipped and dreams shattered, it became an unfortunate casualty in aviation history. The United States Air Force witnessed its own share of relegations too. The Republic YRF-84F Thunderstreak and North American T-6G Texan 50-1279 both fell from grace after serving their time in the skies. But amidst these tales of downfall lies resilience. The Fairey Gannet AS. 4 XG631 fought valiantly despite being relegated to lesser roles within naval operations. It refused to be forgotten or overshadowed by more advanced aircraft. English Electric Canberra B. 2 WV787 also faced demotion from frontline duty but continued to serve faithfully as part of reconnaissance missions—a testament to adaptability even after being relegated from its initial purpose. Panavia Tornado XX947 followed suit; though no longer at the forefront, this versatile aircraft proved that even in relegation there can be new opportunities for success. Lastly, Hawker Hunter T. 8B XF967 exemplified the spirit of resurgence.