Showing 1 to 10 of 21 search results

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

Supermarine Spitfire Mk XVIE

Aircraft & Exhibits, JUL 1945-OCT 1989, London, Hangar Three/Four, 1995/1012/A

The Spitfire XVI was the last major version of the Spitfire to be powered by the Rolls-Royce Merlin before introduction of the Rolls-Royce Griffon powered variants.

Supermarine Spitfire Mk XVI on display at Hendon, RAF Museum

Hawker Siddeley Nimrod R1

Aircraft & Exhibits, DEC 1970-JUL 2011, Cosford, External Display, X006-1343

The Nimrod maritime reconnaissance aircraft was derived from the Comet airliner. It originally entered RAF service in 1969 in MR1 variant to replace the Avro Shackleton. From 1979 35 aircraft were upgraded to the improved MR2 standard. Nimrod continued in service until 2010 when its successor, the MRA4 was cancelled. The aircraft was modified to carry wing-mounted Sidewinder air-air missiles for self -defence during the Falklands conflict in 1982 were known as the ‘RAF’s biggest fighter’! Less successful was the airborne early warning version, Nimrod AEW3 which was test flown but did not enter service.

Image pending

Fincastle 92 programme

Library, 1992, London, Hangar Six, X004-2595

Printed programme for the 1992 Fincastle Trophy competition

Fincastle 92 programme | X004-2595, Consult Collection Curator before use

Nimrod MRA4 First Delivery Medallion, 2010

Aircraft & Exhibits, 2010, London, Hangar Six, X006-8838

This medallion was produced to mark the delivery of the first Nimrod MRA.4 maritime patrol aircraft in 2010. The project had cost over £3 billion pounds and was over a decade late in delivery, however, there were still concerns about the aircraft's airworthiness and in 2010 the project was cancelled and all the the airframes scrapped.

Image pending

Recorded interview with Flight Lieutenant David Wildridge, 22 November 2017

Film & Sound, In Storage, X005-6784/003

David Wildridge was a pilot in Phantom aircraft of 43 Squadron, served as an instructor in the Hawk at RAF Valley and RAF Chivenor and as a Tornado GR1 pilot.

Image pending

Recorded interview with Squadron Leader Alistair McLean, 19 February 2016

Film & Sound, In Storage, X008-3331

Recorded interview with Al McLean, who served as an RAF pilot in Nimrod aircraft. He discusses various aspects of the Nimrod’s maritime role, including anti-submarine warfare and search and rescue.

Image pending

Recorded interview with Wing Commander Brynach Lewis, 30 November 2016

Film & Sound, In Storage, X008-3348

Recorded interview with Bryn Lewis, who served as an RAF meteorological air observer during the Second World War and as a navigator in Shackleton and Vulcan aircraft following the war.

Image pending

Recorded interview with Master Aircrew Bob Pountney, 28 April 2021

Film & Sound, In Storage, X008-5666

Bob Pountney served as an air quartermaster in Britannia transport aircraft and a winchman in Whirlwind, Wessex and Sea King helicopters. He describes various aspects of search and rescue operations.

Image pending

Recorded interview with Flight Lieutenant Niall Rath, 28 January 2025

Film & Sound, In Storage, X008-7414

Interview with Niall Rath, who served as an electrical and instrument fitter, air electronics operator in Nimrod maritime patrol aircraft and a crewman in Sea King search and rescue helicopters.

Image pending