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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 During the Battle of Britain, it proved no match for German fighters and was quickly withdrawn from daylight operations and moved to a night-fighter role.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

Supermarine Spitfire Mark Ia

Aircraft & Exhibits, SEP 1940-FEB 1944, London, Hangar Three/Four, 78/A/872

More than any other aircraft, the Spitfire has become a much-loved symbol of winning against the odds. Designed by RJ Mitchell, its speed, agility and firepower made it one of the RAF's leading fighter aircraft of the Second World War.

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

Heinkel He 111

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1944-1947, London, Hangar Five, 78/A/1033

The Heinkel He 111, a German twin-engined medium bomber, was used extensively in the late 1930s and early years of the Second World War. Like many Luftwaffe military aircraft, its development was concealed by claiming it was for high-speed commercial transport.

Side view of an aircraft with a camouflaged upper and a turquoise underside; a cross and swastika painted on the fuselage and, © RAF Museum

Royal Air Force Balloon Command, November 1938-June 1945

Archives, In Storage, B3054

Ring binder of typescript sheets, photographs and memoirs regarding the history and operations of Balloon Command during the Second World War complied by Flight Lieutenant William Forks.

Typescript sheets bound in blue A4 ring-binder., Typescript sheets bound in blue A4 ring-binder.