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The Enigma Machine

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1940-1945, London, Hangar Five, 82/R/503

Engima was the trade name for the cypher machine used by the Germans to code their communications, the codes of which changed daily. British listening stations intercepted messages which were then passed to cryptographers at the Government Code and Cypher School at Bletchley Park to decode.

Metal machine with individual keys for each letter and interconnecting wires, inside a wooden box, © RAF Museum

Dornier Do 17Z Wing Section

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1940, In Storage, In Storage, In Storage, X006-8340

On 26 August 1940, this Do 17 German light bomber was attacking RAF fighter stations when it was met by No. 264 Squadron flying Defiants. After exchanging fire, it was forced to ditch on the Goodwin Sands, off the coast of Kent.

Central section of Do 17Z wing showing battle-damaged and corroded aluminium-alloy skin over rusted steel elements., Royal Air Force Museum

Messerschmitt Bf 110 Fragments

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1940, In Storage, X005-0836

Wreckage of a Messerschmitt Bf 110 C shot down by Flying Officer Ludwik Paszkiewicz, No. 303 (Polish) Squadron on 30 August 1940. The victory was shared with Pilot Officer Wicks of No. 56 Squadron. Paszkiewicz's victory was the first achieved by No. 303 Squadron in the Battle of Britain.

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

Daimler-Benz DB 601A

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1940, In Storage, X005-0837

Daimler-Benz DB 601A from a Messerschmitt Bf 110 C shot down by Flying Officer Ludwik Paszkiewicz, No. 303 (Polish) Squadron on 30 August 1940. The victory was shared with Pilot Officer Wicks of No. 56 Squadron

heavily damaged engine, RAF Museum

Daimler-Benz DB 601A

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1940, In Storage, X005-0838

Daimler-Benz DB 601A from a Messerschmitt Bf 110 C shot down by Flying Officer Ludwik Paszkiewicz, No. 303 (Polish) Squadron on 30 August 1940. The victory was shared with Pilot Officer Wicks of No. 56 Squadron

heavily damaged engine, Royal Air Force Museum / RAF Museum

Bombing attack on convoy - Charles Gardner, 14 July 1940

Film & Sound, In Storage, X003-1795

Recording in which Charles Gardner describes an engagement between Spitfires, Junkers 87s and Messerschmitt 109s over the south coast of England.

Image pending

Dover air battle - Robin Duff

Film & Sound, In Storage, X001-6447

Robin Duff describes the scene as Messerschmitt 109s attack barrage balloons around Dover. Messerschmitts are engaged by anti-aircraft guns and fighters, several crash and sound effects are heard.

Image pending

Pilot Officer Dunn, 14 July 1940

Film & Sound, In Storage, X003-1796

Recording in which Pilot Officer Dunn gives an account of daylight Spitfire sorties over northern France and an early night fighter sortie during which he destroyed two German bombers.

Image pending

Recording of an interview with Wing Commander R D Pexton, 30 December 1977

Film & Sound, In Storage, SC85/32

Interview with Wing Commander R D Pexton who served as a pilot in the RAF before and during the Second World War, flying Spitfires, Gladiators, Hurricanes, Stirlings and Lancasters.

Image pending