Showing 171 to 180 of 255 search results

Observer Corps Armband

Aircraft & Exhibits, Cosford, Hangar Two, 78/U/619

The Observer Corps, later Royal Observer Corps, was a civil defence organisation formed in 1925 to detect, identify, track and report aircraft in the skies over the UK.

Armband in black and white striped fabric with a metal clasp and ‘Observer Corps’ in red stitching, © RAF Museum

Plotting Counters

Aircraft & Exhibits, In Storage, 75/I/536

Plotting blocks and counters were used in Operations Rooms in the Second World War and particularly in the Battle of Britain to track the movements of incoming formations of enemy aircraft.

Nine counters in three shapes: a circle, an arrow and an arrowhead each in red, yellow and blue, © RAF Museum

Distinguished Flying Cross of Flight Lieutenant John Hunter Coghlan

Aircraft & Exhibits, In Storage, In Storage, 79/D/1932

John Coghlan was a successful fighter pilot during the early days of the Second World War and destroyed at least six German aircraft. The citation for his DFC, awarded during the Battle of Britain on 30 July 1940, stated ‘at all times he has shown the greatest initiative and courage …’.

Distinguished Flying Cross of Flight Lieutenant John Hunter Coghlan | 79/D/1932, Royal Air Force Museum

Voluntary Work for the Forces Badge

Aircraft & Exhibits, In Storage, X003-4410

The Voluntary Work for the Forces badge was awarded during the Second World War. To earn a badge you had to contribute at least three months (about 600 hours) voluntary work in aid of the war effort.

Round red badge with the letters V W intertwined in silver above a motto, set in a silver casing with a sculpted lion on top, © RAF Museum

Women's Auxiliary Air Force Uniform of Avis Hearn

Aircraft & Exhibits, Cosford, Hangar Two, 72/U/760

In addition to her rank and wireless operator's trade badges, Flight Sergeant Avis Hearn's Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) tunic also carries the ribbon of the Military Medal.

Blue-grey lady's military-style jacket with stripes and badges on the sleeves with earphones and microphone hung around the c, RAF Museum

Military Medal of Sergeant Helen Emily Turner

Aircraft & Exhibits, London, Hangar Five, 76/D/692

Helen Turner served as a switchboard operator at the busy RAF station at Biggin Hill, as a member of the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force. On 30 August 1940, during an air raid, she kept on working in order to maintain vital telephone contact with Group Headquarters. She and colleague Corporal Elizabeth Henderson only left when a 500lb bomb crashed through the roof and the building caught fire.

Round silver medal with the bust of King George VI in profile, on a red, white and blue striped ribbon, © RAF Museum

Head and Breast Set

Aircraft & Exhibits, Cosford, Hangar Two, 67/R/449

This standard General Post Office equipment was widely used by RAF personnel during the Second World War. It enabled the wearer to make and receive calls while freeing their hands for other tasks.

Telephone system with a mouthpiece and phone connector on a neck strap, attached to headphones by a thin cord, © RAF Museum

Parachute Release Handle

Aircraft & Exhibits, Cosford, Hangar Two, 79/S/152

Squadron Leader Henry Hogan was the Commanding Officer of No. 501 Squadron during the Battle of Britain, 1940.

Rectangular chrome handle with trailing metal wire, © RAF Museum

Air Ministry Bell

Aircraft & Exhibits, Cosford, Hangar Two, 70/G/960

Bells have been used for hundreds of years to attract people’s attention. The RAF has used them to warn of fires, air raids, or for fighter pilots to scramble.

Bell engraved with ‘A. M. 1940’ and a crown motif; a rope attached to the top for hanging the bell, © RAF Museum

Plotting Block, Hostile Raid

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1939-1945, Cosford, Hangar Two, X002-6553

Plotting blocks and counters were used in Operations Rooms in the Second World War and particularly in the Battle of Britain to track the movements of incoming formations of enemy aircraft.

Wooden triangular prism-shaped block displaying numbers over two rows: ‘H01’ on yellow cards and ‘40+’ on blue cards, © RAF Museum