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Spitfire Mark I Windscreen

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1940, In Storage, 80/A/1142

This armoured windscreen from a Spitfire Mk I was damaged by machine gun fire on 9 September 1940 during the Battle of Britain. The pilot was Sub Lieutenant Arthur Blake RN from No. 19 Squadron based at Fowlmere.

Shattered glass in an arch-shaped thick metal frame, © RAF Museum

No. 32 Squadron Scoreboard

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1940, In Storage, 66/C/90

Traditionally squadrons recorded their performance against enemy aircraft, showing victories, probables and damaged. This scoreboard is from No. 32 Squadron, based at Biggin Hill, a key target for the Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain.

Wingtip with handwritten title, names and scores; RAF roundel design in the centre overlaid with a bow, pearls and horn, © RAF Museum

Diary of Pilot Officer John Derek Bisdee, 8 May 1940-24 December 1940

Archives, 08 MAY 1940-24 DEC 1940, In Storage, X008-7751/002

John Bisdee was a fighter pilot with No. 609 Squadron in 1940. His diary records his involvement in the air fighting over Dunkirk in May and June 1940 and later in the Battle of Britain.

Black notebook with manuscript entries.

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

Ministry of Aircraft Production Plaque

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1940, Cosford, Hangar Two, X004-4347

This plaque was presented to the Wolverhampton Express and Star Fighter Fund by the Ministry of Aircraft Production to commemorate the purchase of Spitfire Mk Vb AB917 ‘The Inspirer’ which served with No. 401 Squadron.

Rectangular plaque with inscription in black and red text, © 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

Hazard Warning Flag

Aircraft & Exhibits, Circa 1945, London, Hangar Five, X002-7592

Warning flags were used to mark the locations of unexploded bombs and other possible hazards.

Red rectangular flag on a wooden stick, © RAF Museum

To Public Shelters Sign

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1940-1945, In Storage, X005-5742

In 1938, when war seemed inevitable, local authorities were required to provide public shelters in case of enemy bombing. Signs such as this, a rare survivor, guided the public to their nearest shelter.

Rectangular wooden sign with a pointed end on the left, reading 'TO PUBLIC SHELTERS', © RAF Museum

Hydraulic Pump, Bristol Blenheim Mark IV

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1940, In Storage, 1997/0031/C

Recovered from its crash site near Kaas, this pump belonged to a Bristol Blenheim Mark IV R3802 that was shot down during RAF No. 82 Squadron’s raid of the Aalborg Airfield, Denmark, 13 August 1940.

Hydraulic Pump, Bristol Blenheim Mark IV | 1997/0031/C