Showing 1 to 10 of 12 search results

Douglas Thor

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1958-1963, Cosford, Hangar Four, 73/O/1389

In 1955 the USAF started to develop an Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM). The project, designated 315A, was given top priority. In December 1955, the Douglas Aircraft Company was awarded the prime contract. The 315A was re-designated SM-75 THOR and delivered to USAF in October 1956.

Image pending

USAAF Memorial Stone

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1984-1986, London, Hangar Five, 1986/0515/C

This memorial was created for the 1984 Liverpool Garden Festival to commemorate the city’s link with the USAAF as a disembarkation point for personnel and equipment.

Image pending

Handley Page Halifax Mk II Series 1

Aircraft & Exhibits, 27 MAR 1942-27 APR 1942, London, Hangar Five, 73/A/1113

This Halifax served with No. 102 Squadron. On 27 April 1942, it flew its first operational mission – an attack on the German battleship Tirpitz that was moored in a Norwegian fjord. Damaged by anti-aircraft artillery, the aircraft made a forced landing on a frozen lake. One of the crew suffered a broken ankle and was taken prisoner. The other five, with the help of the Norwegian resistance, escaped to neutral Sweden. W1048 sank to the bottom of the fjord where it remained for the next 31 years.

Handley Page Halifax B.Mk.II on display at RAF Museum London, (C) RAF Museum/Iain Duncan / RAF Museum

12,000lb High Capacity Bomb Mk 2

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1944-1945, London, Hangar Five, 65/O/871

The High Capacity (HC) series of bombs ranged in weight from 2,000lbs to 12,000lbs. Their large weight of explosives was contained in a relatively thin casing to maximise blast damage.

Image pending

22,000lb Grand Slam Bomb

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1945-1965, London, Hangar Five, 65/O/1125

The 22,000lb Grand Slam and the smaller 12,000lb Tallboy were specialist weapons devised by Barnes Wallis. They were designed to penetrate deep into the ground where the explosives created an underground cavern into which the surrounding area, and any nearby structure, would collapse.

Image pending

1,000lb General Purpose (GP) Bomb, Mk 2

Aircraft & Exhibits, Circa 1945, Cosford, Hangar Three, 65/O/1028

General Purpose bombs were the standard air dropped munitions used by the RAF at the outbreak of the Second World War.

Image pending

Type H Bomb Trolley (22,000Lb)

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1945-1950, London, Hangar Five, 65/O/1124

The 22,000lb Grand Slam and the smaller 12,000lb Tallboy were specialist weapons devised by Barnes Wallis. They were designed to penetrate deep into the ground where the explosives created an underground cavern into which the surrounding area, and any nearby structure, collapsed.

Image pending

Type E Bomb Trolley

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1944-1965, London, Hangar Five, 65/O/872

The High Capacity (HC) series of bombs ranged in weight from 2,000lbs to 12,000lbs. Their large weight of explosives was contained in a relatively thin casing to maximise blast damage. The 12,000lb HC bomb required this specialist Type E Bomb Trolley to cope with its size and weight.

Image pending

Rolls-Royce Merlin XX

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1942, London, Hangar Five, X001-2544

Although it was famous for powering Spitfires and Hurricanes, the Merlin was also used to power many bomber aircraft. The Merlin XX, fitted to the much larger Halifaxes and Lancasters, had a two-speed supercharger which improved performance at high altitude.

Engine on four-legged stand, RAF Museum / Iain Duncan

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