Showing 1 to 10 of 13 search results

Fiat CR 42 Falco

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1940-1943, London, Hangar Three/Four, 78/A/952

Designed by Celestino Rosatelli, the Italian Fiat CR 42 was the last single-seat biplane fighter to be manufactured by any Second World War combatant. CR 42s took part in the invasion of Southern France and later fought against the RAF in the Battle of Britain.

Biplane with propeller and camouflage pattern, © RAF Museum

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

Supermarine Spitfire Mark Vb

Aircraft & Exhibits, DEC 1941-DEC 1982, London, Hangar One, 82/A/1716

The Mk V was regarded by pilots as the best handling Spitfire, despite its very short development time. It was also the most widely produced, equipping over 140 RAF squadrons.

Single engine aircraft with camouflage pattern, © RAF Museum

Messerschmitt Me 410A-1-U2

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1943-DEC 1945, Cosford, Hangar Three, 85/A/78

This Me 410 was surrendered to the British in Denmark in May 1945. The history of its service with the Luftwaffe is not entirely clear.

overhead view of twin piston-engined German fighter with grey/blue/black camouflage, © RAF Museum/Iain Duncan / RAF Museum

Hawker Hurricane Mark IIc

Aircraft & Exhibits, MAR 1944-FEB 1984, Cosford, Hangar Two, 1995/1004/A

The Hawker Hurricane Mk I entered service in 1937 as the RAF's first eight-gun monoplane. During the Battle of Britain, Hurricanes shot down approximately 60% of enemy aircraft – more than all the other air and ground defences combined.

Single engine aircraft with propeller and camouflage pattern, © RAF Museum

Heinkel He 162A-2 VN679

Aircraft & Exhibits, APR 1945-1958, London, Hangar Five, 1990/0697/A

The Heinkel He 162 was a jet fighter used by the German Luftwaffe in the closing stages of the Second World War. Known as the ‘Volksjager’ (People’s Fighter), it was produced in too few numbers to have any effect on the outcome of the war.

Side view of Heinkel 162 on a white background, RAF Museum/Iain Duncan

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

Messerschmitt Me 262A-2a

Aircraft & Exhibits, MAR 1945-NOV 1945, Cosford, Hangar Three, 85/A/69

Me 262s were the first operational jet fighters to enter Luftwaffe service, in April 1944. This example was surrendered to the British in northern Germany at the very end of the war.

Starboard side view of Messerschmitt Me 262A-2a on a white background., (C) RAF Museum/Iain Duncan

Kawasaki Ki-100 1b

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1945, London, Hangar Five, 85/A/68

The Kawasaki Ki-100 1b was one of the finest Japanese fighters of the Second World War, but was not introduced until 1945.

Side view of Kawasaki Ki-1001b on a white background, © RAF Museum/Iain Duncan

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