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USAAF Shoulder Badge, 9th Air Force

Aircraft & Exhibits, Cosford, Hangar Three, 1986/0465/U

The 9th was the US’s tactical air force for the invasion of Europe. By autumn 1944 most units had relocated to the continent, serving beside the RAF’s 2nd Tactical Air Force.

USAAF Shoulder Badge, 9th Air Force | 1986/0465/U, RAF Museum/Iain Duncan

USAAF Shoulder Badge, 8th Air Force

Aircraft & Exhibits, Cosford, Hangar Three, 1986/0457/U

While Bomber Command operated mainly at night, the US 8th Air Force conducted daylight raids against Germany and occupied Europe. By 1945, the 8th equalled Bomber Command in the tonnage of bombs dropped.

USAAF Shoulder Badge, 8th Air Force | 1986/0457/U, RAF Museum/Iain Duncan

Norden Bombsight Type M9

Aircraft & Exhibits, London, Hangar Five, 82/I/819

The US Army Air Force strategy for bombing Germany centred around the use of this highly accurate Norden Bombsight to conduct precision attacks on vital industries during daylight. Unfortunately, the cloudy European weather frequently obscured targets and reduced accuracy.

Image pending

P-51 Mustang Drop Tank

Aircraft & Exhibits, London, Hangar Five, 79/A/1515

As USAAF Bomber losses mounted during 1943 it became essential to increase the range of escorting fighters. Disposable fuel tanks mounted under the wings or belly of an aircraft gave extra range. The fuel in these disposable tanks was used early in the flight to enable them to be dropped when empty. This was one of a pair of steel tanks that could be fitted under the wing of a P-51 Mustang.

Ovoid metal container, light grey, large are of red-brown spot rusting, Iain Duncan

P-51 Mustang Canopy

Aircraft & Exhibits, London, Hangar Five, 71/A/508

Canopy rail from a P-51 Mustang flown by Captain Howard ‘Pete’ Wiggins, who joined the USAAF in 1942. As part of the US Army 8th Air Force, Howard Wiggins flew fighter aircraft such as P-51 Mustangs and P-47 Thunderbolts on bomber escort missions from bases in the UK.

Aircraft canopy on a stand, broken glass, two metal arches, metal surround, blue paint and rusting, Iain Duncan

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

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

Fun Helped Them Fight (from 'Bunk' portfolio) by Eduardo Paolozzi, lithograph

Fine Art, London, Art Gallery, Hangar Three, FA05373

While in the late-1940s austerity measures persisted in Britain, American commodities and advertising, by contrast, reflected the USA’s economic and cultural dominance. They also reflected America’s popular imagination inspired by the emerging jet and space age.

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Republic P-47D Thunderbolt II

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1945-1958, London, Hangar Five, 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

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