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Recorded interview with Group Captain Toria McPhaden, 20 November 2023

Film & Sound, In Storage, X008-7390

Toria McPhaden served as an administrative and secretarial officer, including roles at Lyneham and Leuchars. She was station commander of RAF Northolt at the time of Queen Elizabeth II’s repatriation.

Image pending

de Havilland Mosquito B.35

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1945-1959, London, Hangar Five, 1994/1351/A

This Mosquito is a late bomber variant. It was built at the end of the Second World War, and served with No 98 Squadron in Germany in 1950-51 before being replaced by Vampire fighter-bombers.

Side view of aircraft with green and dark grey camouflaged upper surfaces and a pale grey underside, (C) RAF Museum/Iain Duncan / RAF Museum/ Iain Duncan

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

Focke-Wulf Fw 190A-8

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1944-1961, Cosford, Hangar Three, 1998/0214/A

The FW190A-8 was a fighter-bomber version of the ‘Butcher Bird’, and was produced in greater numbers than any other sub-type.

Cockpit view of FW 190. Cockpit is partially stripped but contains some instrumentation., RAF Museum / Iain Duncan / RAF Museum/ Iain Duncan

Panel from Lancaster 'N' for 'Nan'

Aircraft & Exhibits, APR 1943-OCT 1944, Cosford, Hangar Three, 83/A/407

From its earliest days, RAF personnel used artwork on aircraft to boost morale. During the Second World War nose art became increasingly flamboyant.

Black panel, yellow bomb tally, writing top and bottom relating to operational record, RAF Museum / IAIN DUNCAN

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

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

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

Avro Lancaster Mk I

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1942-1970, London, Hangar Five, 74/A/12

This Avro Lancaster is a rare survivor of the Second World War and among the most significant aircraft in the RAF Museum’s collection. On average, a Lancaster’s life expectancy was 21 operational sorties, yet this Lancaster flew a total of 137.

Four-engined aircraft with propellers and camouflage pattern, © RAF Museum/Iain Duncan

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

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