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Messerschmitt Bf 109E

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1940-1943, London, Hangar Three/Four, 78/A/624

The Messerschmitt Bf 109 was the Luftwaffe's principal fighter aircraft during the Battle of Britain. It could outclimb and outgun the RAF's Hurricanes and Spitfires. However, its limited range allowed pilots only 20 minutes flying time during raids over south-east England.

Single engine aircraft with propeller and yellow nose and grey body, © RAF Museum

English Electric P1A

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1954-1982, In Storage, 1987/0014/A

The first flight of P1 WG760 was on 4 August 1954, just 10 years after the RAF’s first jet aircraft, the Meteor, entered squadron service. It was experimental and was the basis for the RAF’s front line fighter, the English Electric Lightning.

English Electric P1A on display at Cosford, RAF Museum/Iain Duncan

English Electric Lightning P1B/F.1

Aircraft & Exhibits, APR 1959-OCT 1983, Cosford, Hangar Four, 84/A/1167

The Lightning was the Royal Air Force’s first truly supersonic aircraft, serving as an air defence interceptor from 1960 until 1988. Its formidable top speed came at the cost of a very short range.

Silver-coloured aircraft with highly swept wings and large RAF roundels, carrying to white missiles, © RAF Museum/Iain Duncan / (c) RAF Museum/ Iain Duncan