Showing 11 to 20 of 34 search results

Observer Corps Lapel Badge

Aircraft & Exhibits, Cosford, Hangar Two, 78/U/622

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

Round metal badge with an engraved scene of an observer searching the skies, encircled by a motto in a blue border, © RAF Museum

Uniform Jacket of Baron Dowding of Bentley Priory

Aircraft & Exhibits, Cosford, Hangar Two, 71/U/1224

Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding was Air Officer Commander-in-Chief of Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain. This jacket is typical of those worn by officers in 1940 and bears Sir Hugh Dowding’s medal ribbons, pilot’s brevet and rank tapes. It was bequeathed to the Museum after his death in 1970.

Single-breasted navy jacket with four pockets, a fabric belt, trimming at the cuffs and badges on the chest, © RAF Museum

Spitfire Fund Badge

Aircraft & Exhibits, Cosford, Hangar Two, 84/U/1032

These badges were sold to raise money for Spitfire Funds, formed to buy aircraft for the RAF during the Second World War. This badge was purchased by Leading Aircraftwoman Osbon.

Circular white badge with a blue aircraft beneath 'SPITFIRE FUND' in red, and the number '18676' stamped across the bottom, © 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

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 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

Medal Bar of Wing Commander Eric James Brindley Nicolson

Aircraft & Exhibits, Cosford, Hangar Two, 83/D/1062

As a pilot during the Battle of Britain in 1940, Nicolson was awarded RAF Fighter Command’s only Victoria Cross.

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

Distinguished Flying Medal of Sergeant Joseph Dygryn

Aircraft & Exhibits, Cosford, Hangar Two, 80/D/1864

Joseph Dygryn was a successful night fighter pilot awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal in 1941 after he shot down a number of German aircraft on bombing missions over London.

Silver oval medal engraved with the profile of King George VI, on a blue and white striped ribbon, © RAF Museum

Sector Room Clock (Replica)

Aircraft & Exhibits, Cosford, Hangar Two, 79/I/1326

These clocks were used in Operation Rooms in the Second World War, and particularly during the Battle of Britain, to help track the movements of incoming formations of enemy aircraft.

Round clock face with triangular pattern in red, yellow and blue around the numbers, in wooden casing, © RAF Museum