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Bristol M.1c

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1917-1918, Cosford, Hangar Two, 1988/0209/A

The Bristol M.1C was the first British monoplane of the First World War. However, owing to an institutional distrust of monoplanes in the Royal Flying Corps, only 125 Bristol M.1C airframes were ordered.

Single-seat rotary engined monoplane scout with distinctive red dragon insignia on the fuselage. Reproduction using original, © RAF Museum / Iain Duncan

SE5A Interplane Strut

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1917-1918, Cosford, Hangar Two, 72/A/508

On 30 July 1918 Group Captain Ira 'Taffy' Jones, flying SE5A D6895 with No. 74 Squadron, fought a German Rumpler aircraft. During the engagement, this wing strut from his aircraft was damaged by gunfire (the bullet damage can be seen). After despatching the Rumpler, Jones went on to shoot down a second German aircraft before landing, when his aircraft collapsed.

Wooden stick-shaped support with metal-covered ends, © RAF Museum

First World War Memorial Plaque

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1920, Cosford, Hangar Two, X002-5855

Charlotte Annie Day joined the WRAF on 4 November 1918. She died in hospital on 30 November 1918 while undergoing training at the WRAF Depot Blandford, a victim of the 1918/1919 flu epidemic.

Brass disk showing the goddess, Britannia, with a lion. The disk is inset into a dark wood ornate square frame, RAF Museum

Unofficial No. 23 Squadron Badge

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1934, Cosford, Hangar Two, 1990/0243/Y

This illustration of an eagle preying on a falcon is No. 23 Squadron's crest, and the Latin motto 'Semper aggressus' means 'Always having attacked'.

Drawing on fabric of an eagle with a falcon in its claws, © RAF Museum / RAF Museum

Spitfire Fund Brooch

Aircraft & Exhibits, Circa 1940, Cosford, Hangar Two, X006-8819

Lapel brooches like this one, formed from an old penny, were sold to raise money for Fighter Funds. This example was purchased by Mary Avis Taylor, a member of the Woman’s Auxiliary Air Force.

miniature Spitfire brooch mounted on safety pin, © RAF Museum / RAF Museum

'Figaro' Door

Aircraft & Exhibits, Circa 1940, Cosford, Hangar Two, 71/A/221

Flight Lieutenant Ian Gleed flew his Hurricane Mk I throughout the Battle of Britain. He had the wily cartoon cat Figaro, from the Disney film Pinocchio, swatting a swastika, painted on his cockpit door.

Parallelogram-shaped green panel with a hand-painted black and white cat standing on hind legs turned to face a swastika, © RAF Museum

Post Instrument Mark IIC

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1936-1945, Cosford, Hangar Two, 79/I/932

Post Instruments were used in the Second World War by members of the Observer Corps as an aide to assess the height, bearing and location of enemy aircraft.

Side view of a complex instrument made of metal, with a measuring stick fixed in the middle, © RAF Museum

Fighter Fund Jigsaw

Aircraft & Exhibits, Circa 1941, Cosford, Hangar Two, 1986/0962/C

Many products, including toys, were made and sold to raise money for aircraft during the Second World War. A London-based manufacturer created this jigsaw, which has over 200 pieces, for the Hendon Fighter Four Fund.

Mostly completed jigsaw of a poster image advertising the 'Four Fighter Fund', © 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

Plotting Block, Friendly Forces

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1939-1945, Cosford, Hangar Two, X008-4179

Plotting blocks and counters were used in Operations Rooms in the Second World War and particularly in the Battle of Britain to track the movements of incoming formations of enemy aircraft.

Wooden triangular prism-shaped block displaying numbers over two rows, with a metal rod topped by a yellow card, © RAF Museum