You get a different perspective on Wolverhampton when looking from high above.
Up there with a bird’s eye view the city is laid out like a map below and you see so much more. There have been dramatic changes over the years which are brought into stark focus, such as the ring road which has carved its way through the cityscape, and the Mander Centre which transformed the centre.
Now here’s a question - was Wolverhampton a better place before the major developments of the 1960s and 1970s, or did they make the town, as it was then, keep pace with the needs of the modern world?
Judge for yourselves as we take flight above the city and enjoy a selection of pictures from down the decades and share your memories and views in the comments.
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9. In the unlikely event...
A match in progress at the old "Molineux Grounds" in April 1958. It was called "grounds" rather than "ground" in a hangover from the site's origins as Molineux Pleasure Grounds. Wolves' home fixtures that month were against Portsmouth (won 1-0), Arsenal (lost 2-1), and Preston North End (won 2-0). In the unlikely event that you can work out the opposition strip, you may be able to establish what match this was. The print had some damage which we have had to digitally repair, so if there are fewer than 22 players on the pitch, that will be the reason. We've got you trying to count them now, haven't we? | Wolverhampton Chronicle

10. The flight of the Auster
This one was taken from an Auster light aircraft which had taken off from Wolverhampton airport in 1961. Towards the bottom are Queen Square and St Peter's Church. Among other features are the famous old Star and Garter Pub, Queen Street Church and, indeed, the Express & Star's offices in Queen Street - we're not there now - together with views going out to Bloxwich Power Station, top centre. | Express & Star archive

11. Scene of tragedy
There is a reason why there are arrows pointing out features on this picture, and it's a sad one. In April 1970 a Dove aircraft coming in to land at Wolverhampton airport - upper left - at Pendeford in bad weather stalled on its approached and crashed into a house, killing a lady occupant and both crew on the plane. The tragedy underlined safety issues at the airport which closed at the end of the year. The double arrows must point to the scene of the crash at Redhurst Drive, Fordhouses. | Express & Star archive

12. Last days of a former wartime airfield
Perton airfield in November 1970 when big plans were being discussed to develop the site. It had three intersecting runways in a triangular pattern, which was typical for the times, ensuring planes could always take off and land into wind. The longest runway would be aligned with the prevailing wind. RAF Perton was a wartime airfield used for training. There's no surprise as to what happened in the end - it was covered in housing. | Express & Star archive

