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Sopwith Triplane

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1917-1937, London, Hangar Two, 74/A/19

The Triplane was a highly manoeuvrable single-seat scout with phenomenal rates of climb and roll. The arrival of the Triplane on the Western Front in early 1917 made such an impression on the Germans that they asked their manufacturers to produce triplane fighters, leading to the Fokker Dr1 of 'Red Baron' fame.

Triplane with grey body and wings and wooden struts, © RAF Museum / RAF Museum

Westland Lysander Mk. III

Aircraft & Exhibits, AUG 1940-1971, In Storage, 74/A/21

Westland Lysanders are best known for transporting secret agents to and from occupied France during the Second World War. This Lysander first flew with No. 255 Squadron in 1940, but later flew with No. 161 (Special Duties) Squadron from October 1944.

Port side view of Westland Lysander on a white background., © RAF Museum

Boulton Paul Defiant Mark I

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1940-1944, Cosford, Hangar Two, 74/A/16

The Defiant introduced a new tactical concept in two-seat RAF fighter design by concentrating all armament in a four-gun turret behind the cockpit. During the Battle of Britain, it proved no match for German fighters and was quickly withdrawn from daylight operations and moved to a night-fighter role.

Single engine aircraft with propeller and black wings and body, © RAF Museum

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

Messerschmitt Bf 109G-2

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1942-1997, Cosford, Hangar Two, X001-2501

The Messerschmitt Bf 109 was the Luftwaffe's principal fighter during the Battle of Britain. It could outclimb and outgun the RAF's Hurricanes and Spitfires. However, its limited range allowed pilots only twenty minutes flying time during raids over south-east England.

Single engine aircraft with propeller and yellow nose and grey body, © RAF Museum

Messerschmitt Me 410A-1-U2

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1943-DEC 1945, Cosford, Hangar Three, 85/A/78

This Me 410 was surrendered to the British in Denmark in May 1945. The history of its service with the Luftwaffe is not entirely clear.

overhead view of twin piston-engined German fighter with grey/blue/black camouflage, © RAF Museum/Iain Duncan / RAF Museum

Mitsubishi Ki-46 'Dinah'

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1943-1946, London, Hangar Five, 1989/0307/A

This Ki-46 was captured by the British in Malaya at the end of the War. It was assessed by the Allied Technical Air Intelligence Unit, South East Asia (ATAIU SEA), before coming to the UK as a museum object.

A view of the Museum's Ki-46 from above. A twin engine aircraft with green finish and Japanese roundels., © RAF Museum/Iain Duncan / RAF Museum

Heinkel He 111

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1944-1947, London, Hangar Five, 78/A/1033

The Heinkel He 111, a German twin-engined medium bomber, was used extensively in the late 1930s and early years of the Second World War. Like many Luftwaffe military aircraft, its development was concealed by claiming it was for high-speed commercial transport.

Side view of an aircraft with a camouflaged upper and a turquoise underside; a cross and swastika painted on the fuselage and, © RAF Museum

Kawasaki Ki-100 1b

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1945, London, Hangar Five, 85/A/68

The Kawasaki Ki-100 1b was one of the finest Japanese fighters of the Second World War, but was not introduced until 1945.

Side view of Kawasaki Ki-1001b on a white background, © RAF Museum/Iain Duncan