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Blériot XXVII

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1911-1939, In Storage, 85/A/226

The Blériot XXVII, dating from 1911, was built for speed. This streamlined single-seat racing monoplane with a rotary engine, shared many construction features with other contemporary Blériot monoplanes, such as the shoulder-mounted wing.

Single engine aircraft with yellow canvas body and wings, © RAF Museum

Sopwith 5F1 Dolphin

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1918, London, Hangar Two, 77/A/475

The Dolphin was flown by the RAF in the First World War. Its unusual wing arrangement gave its pilot an excellent view.

Biplane with grey body and wings and wooden struts, © RAF Museum

Sopwith F1 Camel

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1918-1936, London, Hangar Two, 74/A/18

The Camel was the highest scoring British fighter of the First World War. It took its name from the hump over the breeches of the two machine guns.

Biplane with grey body and white wings with wooden struts, © RAF Museum / RAF Museum

Wreck of Gloster Gladiator Mk II N5628

Aircraft & Exhibits, 22 APR 1939-25 APR 1940, London, Hangar Three/Four, 72/A/472

The Gloster Gladiator was the RAF's last biplane fighter and the first to feature an enclosed cockpit for the pilot. Deliveries began in 1937, with Gladiators continuing to serve in the early years of the Second World War. However, it had been rendered almost obsolete by newer monoplane designs such as the Hurricane even as it was being introduced. Though often pitted against more formidable foes during the early days of the Second World War, it performed reasonably well in combat.

Gloster Gladiator II wreck. Engine and front section of wrecked aircraft., © RAF Museum/Iain Duncan

Pilots flying log book of Wing Commander John Searby, 1940-1950

Archives, 1940-1950, Cosford, Hangar Three, X004-2322/002

This pilot’s flying logbook belonged to Gp Capt John Henry Searby.

Image pending

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

Birthday candle Leading Aircraftwoman Marion Gomm

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1944, Cosford, Hangar Three, X001-1530

Leading Aircraftwoman Marion Gomm was a cook at RAF Wyton, headquarters for the Pathfinder Force. This candle was a memento from Marion’s 21st birthday party held in the Sergeants’ Mess in March 1944.

wax candle with "Marion" in green, black wick. Silver foil cylinder below., IAIN DUNCAN

Curtiss Kittyhawk Mk IV

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1944, London, Hangar Three/Four, 1994/1347/A

The Curtiss Kittyhawk was the final development of the monoplane Curtiss Hawk fighters. First introduced into service in January 1942, over 3000 Kittyhawks were delivered to Commonwealth Air Forces.

Kittyhawk displayed in Mediterranean theatre camouflage, shark mouth details at front air intake, with RAF roundels, fin flash, serial FX760 and No. 112 Squadron fuselage code markings., RAF Museum/Iain Duncan / RAF Museum

Short Stirling Mk III

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1944, Cosford, Hangar Three, 1998/0229/A

This Stirling served with No. 1651 Heavy Conversion Unit, where new aircrew gained the skills to fly heavy bombers. It crashed during a training flight in the Pennines on the night of 18–19 October 1944.

remains of an aircraft's tail section, dark paint and bare metal., (C) RAF Museum/Iain Duncan / RAF Museum

Bomber Command Order of Battle, 26 April 1945

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1945, London, Hangar Five, 72/C/955

This replica availability board shows the operational strength of Bomber Command on the last day that the Command mounted a heavy bomber raid.

Image pending