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Plotting Block, Friendly Forces

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1939-1945, Cosford, Hangar Two, X008-4179

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, with a metal rod topped by a yellow card, © RAF Museum

Junkers Ju 88 Recognition Model

Aircraft & Exhibits, London, Hangar Five, 1991/0198/M

This is a British-made model of a Second World War German Junkers Ju 88, used to train RAF personnel, particularly pilots, gunners and members of the Observer Corps, in the vital skill of aircraft recognition.

Model of an aircraft in dark grey-green, with a black cross on each wing and a swastika on the tail, © RAF Museum

Medals of Corporal Ernest Gladstone Reeves

Aircraft & Exhibits, London, Hangar Five, X001-2416

The details of where Corporal Reeves served and what his role was are not known, other than that he worked as groundcrew during the Battle of Britain. He represents ‘the Many’ who supported ‘the Few’, without whom the Battle could not have been won.

Three six-pointed bronze star medals and three round silver medals - all on individual clasps and five with ribbons, © RAF Museum

Medal Bar of Group Captain John Alexander Kent

Aircraft & Exhibits, London, Hangar Five, 1988/0713/D

Group Captain ‘Johnny’ Kent was one of the most decorated Spitfire pilots of the Second World War. His tally was 12 enemy aircraft destroyed, three probable, two damaged and one destroyed on the ground.

Medal Bar of Group Captain John Alexander Kent, © RAF Museum / RAF Museum

Medal Bar of Flying Officer Michael Edmund Staples

Aircraft & Exhibits, Cosford, Hangar Two, 80/D/1923

Michael Staples was a successful Spitfire pilot in the Battle of Britain, serving with No. 609 Squadron at RAF Middle Wallop in Hampshire.

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

Gallantry Cross of Sergeant Norman Charles Davies

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1940, In Storage, X002-8839

Norman Davies was one of only seven recipients of the Air Defence Cadet Corps (ADCC) Gallantry Cross. He was praised for the leadership he showed during two demonstrations of courage and disregard for personal safety during the London Blitz in 1940.

Cross-shaped medal with blue and white emblem in the centre, on a blue ribbon, © RAF Museum

Flying Helmet Type B

Aircraft & Exhibits, London, Hangar One, 77/U/636

Similar in shape to the 1930 Pattern flying helmet, the most recognisable feature of the Type B was the large zipped covers housing the telephone receivers.

Soft brown leather helmet with chinstrap and large leather headphone domes over ears, © 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

Skin Panel, Kampfgruppe 100 Badge

Aircraft & Exhibits, In Storage, 65/Y/758

Kampfgruppe (KGr) 100 was a specialised unit of the German Air Force which pioneered the use of radio aids for bombing and target marking during the Second World War.

Semi-circular panel with an image of a ship with red and white striped mast; partial losses to top layer and edges, © RAF Museum

Spitfire Fund Brooch

Aircraft & Exhibits, Circa 1940, Cosford, Hangar Two, X006-8819

Lapel brooches like this one, formed from an old penny, were sold to raise money for Fighter Funds. This example was purchased by Mary Avis Taylor, a member of the Woman’s Auxiliary Air Force.

miniature Spitfire brooch mounted on safety pin, © RAF Museum / RAF Museum