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Flying Helmet Mark I

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1917-1930, London, Hangar One, X002-6497

The original RAF flying helmet. This pattern of helmet was first issued to the Royal Flying Corps in 1916 and continued in service with the RAF into the 1930s.

Soft brown leather fur-lined helmet with chinstrap and upturned fur peak, © RAF Museum / RAF Museum

De Havilland DH9A

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1918, London, Hangar One, 77/A/921

Known affectionately as the 'Ninak', the DH9A entered service in June 1918 and proved highly effective as a long-range strategic bomber.

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

Aircraft Fabric Fragment, Fokker Dr1425/17

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1918, London, Hangar One, 85/A/1294

Manfred von Richthofen (the Red Baron) was the most successful Ace of the First World War with 80 aerial victories.

Rectangular strip of black fabric, mounted on cream card with a black frame and typed inscription, © RAF Museum / RAF Museum

Trojan 4x2 Light Van

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1924-1935, London, Hangar One, 71/V/789

The Trojan light van was introduced by the RAF in 1924 as a cheap replacement for the Ford Model T vans of the First World War.

Trojan 5cwt Van, RAF Museum/Iain Duncan

Teddy Cooper, Lucky Mascot

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1925-1945, London, Hangar One, X002-9989

Aircrew are understandably superstitious. Many carry charms or undertake rituals in the belief that these will help protect them. This bear was the companion of Flight Sergeant Frederick Cooper and when Frederick joined the RAF the teddy also received a hand-knitted uniform.

Battered brown teddy bear with grey suit, 'wings' badge and white fur topped boots, © RAF Museum

Siskin Aircraft Fabric

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1930, London, Hangar One, 79/Y/936

Squadron emblems frequently refer back to a period in their history. The Cross of Lorraine adopted by No. 41 Squadron was taken from the arms of the French town of St Omer where the squadron was based during the First World War.

Rectangular fabric with complex red cross topped with golden crown, © RAF Museum / RAF Museum

MKVA Pressure Head

Aircraft & Exhibits, Circa 1935, London, Hangar One, X004-1282

It is fundamentally important to know an aircraft's speed through the air. This can be achieved by the use of a Pressure Head.

Black metal y-shaped frame with two protruding silver tubes, RAF Museum

Nylon Halex toothbrush

Aircraft & Exhibits, Circa 1942, London, Hangar One, 72/S/1426

This may look like a normal toothbrush but a magnetised compass swinger is concealed within the handle.

White plastic toothbrush, © RAF Museum

Playing Cards with Concealed Map

Aircraft & Exhibits, Circa 1942, London, Hangar One, 72/S/1438

Packs of playing cards concealing escape maps were smuggled into prison camps in Germany inside Red Cross parcels to help British and American prisoners of war to plan their escapes.

29 playing cards some with front layers peeled away on to reveal part of a map underneath, Jigsaw Design & Publishing © RAF Museum

Combination Set Identity Tags of Squadron Leader Beswick

Aircraft & Exhibits, Circa 1945, London, Hangar One, X002-8234

This set belonged to Squadron Leader Ernest Norman Beswick, who enlisted in 1936 and became an officer in 1941.

Two discs, one red and circular, one black and hexagonal, threaded on string, © RAF Museum