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Blériot XXVII

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1911-1939, In Storage, 85/A/226

The Blériot XXVII, dating from 1911, was built for speed. This streamlined single-seat racing monoplane with a rotary engine, shared many construction features with other contemporary Blériot monoplanes, such as the shoulder-mounted wing.

Single engine aircraft with yellow canvas body and wings, © RAF Museum

Sopwith Triplane

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1917-1937, London, Hangar Two, 74/A/19

The Triplane was a highly manoeuvrable single-seat scout with phenomenal rates of climb and roll. The arrival of the Triplane on the Western Front in early 1917 made such an impression on the Germans that they asked their manufacturers to produce triplane fighters, leading to the Fokker Dr1 of 'Red Baron' fame.

Triplane with grey body and wings and wooden struts, © RAF Museum / RAF Museum

Royal Aircraft Factory SE 5a

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1918-1930, London, Hangar Two, 74/A/23

A formidable fighter used extensively in the First World War, and second only to the Sopwith Camel in reputation, the SE 5a was the most successful Royal Aircraft Factory design.

Biplane with grey body and wings and wooden struts, © RAF Museum / RAF Museum

Fokker DVII

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1918-1938, London, Hangar Two, 75/A/804

The Fokker DVII was one of the outstanding fighters of the First World War, designed to win back German air superiority. Herman Goering, later Head of Hitler's Luftwaffe, was an early DVII ace.

Biplane with colourful camouflage pattern on body and wings, © RAF Museum

Gloster Gladiator Mark I

Aircraft & Exhibits, AUG 1937-MAR 1948, Cosford, Hangar Two, 74/A/17

The Gloster Gladiator was the RAF's last biplane fighter and the first to feature an enclosed cockpit for the pilot. Deliveries began in 1937, with Gladiators continuing to serve in the early years of the Second World War.

Biplane with propeller and silver body and wings, © RAF Museum

Westland Lysander Mk. III

Aircraft & Exhibits, AUG 1940-1971, In Storage, 74/A/21

Westland Lysanders are best known for transporting secret agents to and from occupied France during the Second World War. This Lysander first flew with No. 255 Squadron in 1940, but later flew with No. 161 (Special Duties) Squadron from October 1944.

Port side view of Westland Lysander on a white background., © RAF Museum

Boulton Paul Defiant Mark I

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1940-1944, Cosford, Hangar Two, 74/A/16

The Defiant introduced a new tactical concept in two-seat RAF fighter design by concentrating all armament in a four-gun turret behind the cockpit. During the Battle of Britain, it proved no match for German fighters and was quickly withdrawn from daylight operations and moved to a night-fighter role.

Single engine aircraft with propeller and black wings and body, © RAF Museum

Fiat CR 42 Falco

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1940-1943, London, Hangar Three/Four, 78/A/952

Designed by Celestino Rosatelli, the Italian Fiat CR 42 was the last single-seat biplane fighter to be manufactured by any Second World War combatant. CR 42s took part in the invasion of Southern France and later fought against the RAF in the Battle of Britain.

Biplane with propeller and camouflage pattern, © RAF Museum

Hawker Hurricane Mark I

Aircraft & Exhibits, JAN 1940-MAY 1972, London, Hangar Three/Four, 72/A/1404

The Hawker Hurricane Mk I entered service in 1937 as the RAF's first eight-gun monoplane. During the Battle of Britain Hurricanes were more numerous than Spitfires and shot down over 60% of all German aircraft destroyed.

Single engine aircraft with propeller and camouflage pattern, © RAF Museum

Messerschmitt Bf 109E

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1940-1943, London, Hangar Three/Four, 78/A/624

The Messerschmitt Bf 109 was the Luftwaffe's principal fighter aircraft during the Battle of Britain. It could outclimb and outgun the RAF's Hurricanes and Spitfires. However, its limited range allowed pilots only 20 minutes flying time during raids over south-east England.

Single engine aircraft with propeller and yellow nose and grey body, © RAF Museum