Showing 1 to 10 of 17 search results for Badge of 307 Squadron

USAAF Shoulder Badge, 9th Air Force

Aircraft & Exhibits, Cosford, Hangar Three, 1986/0465/U

The 9th was the US’s tactical air force for the invasion of Europe. By autumn 1944 most units had relocated to the continent, serving beside the RAF’s 2nd Tactical Air Force.

USAAF Shoulder Badge, 9th Air Force | 1986/0465/U, RAF Museum/Iain Duncan

USAAF Shoulder Badge, 8th Air Force

Aircraft & Exhibits, Cosford, Hangar Three, 1986/0457/U

While Bomber Command operated mainly at night, the US 8th Air Force conducted daylight raids against Germany and occupied Europe. By 1945, the 8th equalled Bomber Command in the tonnage of bombs dropped.

USAAF Shoulder Badge, 8th Air Force | 1986/0457/U, RAF Museum/Iain Duncan

Republic P-47D Thunderbolt II

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1945-1958, London, Hangar Three/Four, 1994/1337/A

The Thunderbolt was one of the three most important American fighters produced during the war and saw extensive service with the United States Army Air Force before its comparatively late introduction into RAF operational service in 1944.

Republic P-47D Thunderbolt II on display at Hendon, © RAF Museum/Iain Duncan

Lockheed P-38 Lightning Armoured Windscreen

Aircraft & Exhibits, Circa 1943, Cosford, Hangar Three, X005-6968

This windscreen was recovered from RAF Atcham, near Shrewsbury. Atcham was used by the United States Army Air Force as a Combat Crew Replacement Centre where recently arrived fighter pilots would learn to fly in European weather conditions before joining an active squadron.

Image pending

Operation Manna Decorative Tile

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1945, London, Hangar Five, 1987/1402/C

From the winter of 1944 to 1945 the Netherlands suffered from famine conditions. In the closing days of the war, a truce was arranged with occupying German forces to allow aircraft from the RAF and US Army Air Force to drop food to the starving population. Between 29 April and 7 May, 11,000 tonnes of food was delivered, saving many lives.

A woman and child wave, standing next to barbed wire, wave at Allied aircraft dropping supplies, RAF Museum

P-51 Mustang Canopy

Aircraft & Exhibits, London, Hangar Five, 71/A/508

Canopy rail from a P-51 Mustang flown by Captain Howard ‘Pete’ Wiggins, who joined the USAAF in 1942. As part of the US Army 8th Air Force, Howard Wiggins flew fighter aircraft such as P-51 Mustangs and P-47 Thunderbolts on bomber escort missions from bases in the UK.

Aircraft canopy on a stand, broken glass, two metal arches, metal surround, blue paint and rusting, Iain Duncan

USAAF Type M-1 Flak Vest

Aircraft & Exhibits, Cosford, Hangar Three, 1986/0275/U

During 1942, 70% of USAAF aircrew casualties were due to flak and other low speed projectiles. After flak vests were introduced, fatality rates of bomber crews were reduced by 50% and injuries by 70%.

Side view of a protective vest in three sections covering the back, chest, abdomen and groin displayed on a mannequin. An adjustable waist belt is visible as is a red fabric handle to aid emergency removal of the garment, RAF Museum

P-51 Mustang Drop Tank

Aircraft & Exhibits, London, Hangar Five, 79/A/1515

As USAAF Bomber losses mounted during 1943 it became essential to increase the range of escorting fighters. Disposable fuel tanks mounted under the wings or belly of an aircraft gave extra range. The fuel in these disposable tanks was used early in the flight to enable them to be dropped when empty. This was one of a pair of steel tanks that could be fitted under the wing of a P-51 Mustang.

Ovoid metal container, light grey, large are of red-brown spot rusting, Iain Duncan

Operation Manna Delftware Pendant

Aircraft & Exhibits, In Storage, 84/C/787

This small delftware pendant was made by Dutch ceramist Plateelbakkerij Schoonhoven. Featuring a young woman with a basket and an aircraft dropping parcels overhead, it appears to depict the events of Operation Manna.

Operation Manna Delftware Pendant | 84/C/787

Norden Bombsight Type M9

Aircraft & Exhibits, London, Hangar Five, 82/I/819

The US Army Air Force strategy for bombing Germany centred around the use of this highly accurate Norden Bombsight to conduct precision attacks on vital industries during daylight. Unfortunately, the cloudy European weather frequently obscured targets and reduced accuracy.

Image pending