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Pilot's flying log book of Squadron Leader Harold Arthur Cooper Bird-Wilson, 28 September 1937-18 June 1943

Archives, 28 SEP 1937-18 JUN 1943, In Storage, X003-7892/001/001

Bird-Wilson joined the RAF in 1937, after completing his flying training he was posted to No.17 Squadron. In September 1938, Brid Wilson was involved in a crash and suffered severe facial injuries, undergoing pioneering plastic surgery.

Two pilots flying log books bound together in black leather. See documentation tab for digital copy, Two pilots flying log books bound together in black leather. See documentation tab for digital copy

Lockheed P-38 Lightning Armoured Windscreen

Aircraft & Exhibits, Circa 1943, Cosford, Hangar Three, X005-6968

This windscreen was recovered from RAF Atcham, near Shrewsbury. Atcham was used by the United States Army Air Force as a Combat Crew Replacement Centre where recently arrived fighter pilots would learn to fly in European weather conditions before joining an active squadron.

Image pending

North American Harvard IIB

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1943-1968, London, Hangar Three/Four, 85/A/1356

The North American Harvard trainer was built in great numbers with 17096 being produced. By the end of the Second World War over 5000 had been supplied to British and Commonwealth Air Forces.

Overhead view of yellow aircraft, with black top nose section and long glass canopy, © RAF Museum/Iain Duncan / RAF Museum

Consolidated Liberator B.VIII

Aircraft & Exhibits, JAN 1944-JUL 1974, London, Hangar Five, 74/A/790

Although often overshadowed by the B-17 Flying Fortress, the American B-24 Liberator was built in greater numbers than any other US military aircraft and served with distinction in both war and peace. It also played a major role in service with the RAF.

Consolidated B-24L Liberator, (C) 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

Hawker Typhoon Mk. IB

Aircraft & Exhibits, FEB 1944-JAN 1949, London, Hangar Three/Four, 74/A/27

Designed as a replacement for the Hurricane and Spitfire, the Typhoon was the first RAF fighter capable of exceeding 400mph when it entered service in 1941. This speed allowed Typhoons to successfully combat the newer, more capable aircraft coming into German service at the same time, such as the Fw-190, easily matching them at low levels.

The Typhoon has grey/green camouflage on its upper surfaces, and a grey underside. It carries black and white invasion stripes, which were introduced to aircraft just prior to D-Day., Trustees of the RAF Museum/Iain Duncan / 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

Republic P-47D Thunderbolt II

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1945-1958, London, Hangar Three/Four, 1994/1337/A

The Thunderbolt was one of the three most important American fighters produced during the war and saw extensive service with the United States Army Air Force before its comparatively late introduction into RAF operational service in 1944.

Republic P-47D Thunderbolt II on display at Hendon, © RAF Museum/Iain Duncan

Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1945-1983, In Storage, 83/A/1374

The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress dropped more bombs than any other US aircraft in the Second World War, and was the main bomber of the United States Army Air Forces in Europe in the Second World War.

Starboard side view of Boeing B17 on a white background., © RAF Museum/Iain Duncan / u00a9 RAF Museum / Iain Duncan

Recording of a lecture on black Second World War pilots given at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, part two, 1 October 1980

Film & Sound, In Storage, SC85/53

Lecture given by General Benjamin Davis, Alfred ‘Chief’ Anderson and Lee A Archer at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC, on the achievements of black American pilots.

Image pending