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Fordson Model N Tractor

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1939, London, Hangar Five, X003-2265

The Fordson agricultural tractor was introduced into RAF service during the 1930s when the increasing size and weight of aircraft often required mechanical assistance to move them.

Fordson Model N Tractor | X003-2265, RAF Museum/Iain Duncan

Plotting Block, Hostile Raid

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1939-1945, London, Hangar Five, X002-6552

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: ‘809’ on yellow cards and ‘30+’ on blue cards, © RAF Museum

Hazard Warning Flag

Aircraft & Exhibits, Circa 1945, London, Hangar Five, X002-7592

Warning flags were used to mark the locations of unexploded bombs and other possible hazards.

Red rectangular flag on a wooden stick, © 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

Operation Manna Decorative Tile

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1945, London, Hangar Five, 1987/1402/C

From the winter of 1944 to 1945 the Netherlands suffered from famine conditions. In the closing days of the war, a truce was arranged with occupying German forces to allow aircraft from the RAF and US Army Air Force to drop food to the starving population. Between 29 April and 7 May, 11,000 tonnes of food was delivered, saving many lives.

A woman and child wave, standing next to barbed wire, wave at Allied aircraft dropping supplies, RAF Museum

Hawker-Siddeley Vulcan B.2 XL318

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1961-1981, London, Hangar Five, 82/A/393

The Vulcan was the second of the Royal Air Force’s ‘V bombers’ and like the Valiant and Victor provided part of Great Britain’s nuclear deterrent force for 15 years until the Royal Navy’s Polaris submarines took over the the deterrence role in 1969.

Port side view of Avro Vulcan on a white background., © RAF Museum

Parachute Harness, RAF, Chest Type

Aircraft & Exhibits, London, Hangar Five, 1988/1340/S

Most aircrew worked in spaces too small to wear parachutes. Instead a parachute harness was worn to which a parachute pack could be attached via the clips on the front of the harness. .

Image pending

Head and Breast Set

Aircraft & Exhibits, London, Hangar Five, 67/R/448

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

RAF, Type G Oxygen Mask

Aircraft & Exhibits, London, Hangar Five, 82/U/834

The Type G Oxygen Mask was introduced during 1942 and remained the RAF’s standard mask for the rest of the war and into the immediate post-war period.

RAF, Type G Oxygen Mask | 82/U/834, RAF Museum/Iain Duncan

GEE Receiver Type R1355

Aircraft & Exhibits, London, Hangar Five, X005-2640

GEE was a radio navigation aid with few components, enabling it to be fitted easily to most aircraft requiring a navigator. It acquired a reputation of being simple to operate and gained the nickname ‘the goon box’ as anybody could use it.

GEE Receiver Type R1355 | X005-2640, RAF Museum/Iain Duncan