Showing 141 to 150 of 255 search results

Recording of an interview with Air Marshal Sir Kenneth Porter, part one, 17 November 1980

Film & Sound, In Storage, SC85/33

Interview with Sir Kenneth Porter, who trained at Halton and Cranwell and served in 2 Squadron before injury ended flying career. He was then a signals officer.

Image pending

Papers of P/O John D. Bisdee, Battle of Britain pilot, no. 609 Squadron, 1939-1940

Archives, X008-7751

This archive collection contains two diaries of Pilot Officer John. D. Bisdee, OBE, DFC and two maps used in operations.

Image pending

Recording of an interview with Air Marshal Sir Kenneth Porter, part two, 17 November 1980

Film & Sound, In Storage, SC85/34

Sir Kenneth Porter continues to discuss working with communications in the Battle of Britain and Operation Overlord, including tours with 11 Group Fighter Command, 83 Group and 2 Tactical Air Force.

Image pending

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

Ashtray made of Rubble from the Houses of Parliament

Aircraft & Exhibits, Circa 1945, In Storage, X005-2738

The text on the medallion of this ashtray, which features St Paul’s Cathedral, reads ‘Bombed Burned but Unbeaten’, reflecting London’s resilience during the Battle of Britain and the Blitz, 1940–1941.

Oval piece of flat stone with rugged edges, with concave circle on the left and round metal plaque on the right, © RAF Museum

No. 307 Squadron Badge

Aircraft & Exhibits, Cosford, Hangar Two, 76/U/1380

After the German invasion of Poland in September 1939, many Polish airmen escaped to Britain. From 1940, Polish squadrons began to be formed within the RAF, playing an active role in the Battle of Britain.

Silver badge of a crescent and an owl above an aircraft, with the number '307' at the bottom, © RAF Museum

Air Raid Protection First Aid Box

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1939-1945, London, Hangar Five, 1995/0385/S

During the Second World War Air Raid Protection (ARP) Wardens kept first aid boxes at their posts to provide immediate medical assistance following an enemy attack. These boxes contained supplies such as bandages and dressings and a first aid handbook.

Black metal box with a red stripe and white 'A R P' hand-painted on the front under two clasps; a handle on each side, © RAF Museum

Medal Bar of Air Chief Marshal Sir Christopher Neil Foxley-Norris GCB, DSO, OBE, FRSA

Aircraft & Exhibits, In Storage, X003-4016

Sir Christopher Foxley-Norris began his long service with the RAF in the University Air Squadron in 1936 and served throughout the Second World War.

Eleven medals on individual ribbons with different stripe patterns in multiple colours, © RAF Museum

Medals of Air Commodore Al Deere

Aircraft & Exhibits, Cosford, Hangar Two, X003-1918

RAF Spitfire pilot Al Deere was perhaps the most famous of the many New Zealanders who joined the RAF and fought in the Second World War.

Ten medals on individual ribbons with different stripe patterns in multiple colours, © RAF Museum

Fordson Sussex fitted with a Wild Balloon Winch

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1938-1945, London, Hangar Five, 1995/0886/V

Balloons were an important deterrent to low-level attack, usually sited on the approach to important targets. If an aircraft hit the balloon's cable, it would then be cut by explosive links, which in turn activated two parachutes. These would rapidly slow the aircraft, forcing it to stall and crash.

Six-wheeled dark grey metal vehicle with wire cage behind the driver's cab, © RAF Museum