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Luftwaffe Anti-Aircraft War Badge

Aircraft & Exhibits, London, Hangar Five, 66/U/941

Originally devised as qualification badges for aircrew, the use of some trade badges became linked to combat experience. The Anti-Aircraft Badge was awarded according to a points system reflecting the types of engagements that individual had undertaken.

Badge shows a flak gun surrounded by a wreath with a Nazi eagle above., RAF Museum/Iain Duncan / RAF Museum

Other Ranks, Black Tie, 1936 Pattern

Aircraft & Exhibits, London, Hangar Five, 74/U/797

In 1936 the Royal Air Force adopted a new other ranks service dress uniform. This included an open necked jacket with which a shirt, collar and tie was to be worn.

Black necktie, RAF Museum/Iain Duncan / RAF Museum

Other Ranks, Ankle Boots

Aircraft & Exhibits, London, Hangar Five, 80/U/1441

The standard issue RAF Other Ranks ankle boots of the 1940s differed little from those adopted in the 1920s or the black ankle boots worn by the RNAS during the First World War.

A pair of black boots, RAF Museum/Iain Duncan / RAF Museum

Flying Boot, RAF, 1941 Pattern

Aircraft & Exhibits, London, Hangar Five, 1993/0148/U

The tendency for the 1940 Pattern Flying boot to fall off when parachuting from an aircraft led to a quick redesign incorporating a leather buckle to the bottom of the near identical 1941 Pattern Boot.

Image pending

Caterpillar Club card of Sergeant Leonard Clarke

Archives, London, Hangar Five, AC95/45/9

The Caterpillar Club awards membership to people whose lives have been saved by baling out of a stricken aircraft using an Irvin parachute. This is Sergeant Leonard Clarke’s membership card.

Image pending

Night Fighter Operational Flying Clasp (Gold)

Aircraft & Exhibits, London, Hangar Five, X004-0867

The Luftwaffe introduced flying clasps as a way of acknowledging an aircrew’s operational experience. A bronze clasp represented 20 operational flights, silver 60 and gold 110.

Night Fighter Operational Flying Clasp (Gold) | X004-0867, RAF Museum/Iain Duncan

Medal Bar of 6 of Squadron Leader Lawrence ('Benny') Seymour Goodman

Aircraft & Exhibits, London, Hangar Five, X008-7563

Benny Goodman was born in London and joined the RAF in 1939. He completed 30 operations with No. 617 Squadron including against the battleship Tirpitz. His medals are 1939-1945 Star with Bomber Command Clasp, Arctic Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-1945, Legion d'Honneur Order of the Chevalier.

6 medals with colourful ribbons mounted next to each other on a wearable bar, RAF Museum/Iain Duncan

Parachute Pack, RAF, Chest Type

Aircraft & Exhibits, London, Hangar Five, 1988/0416/S

Most aircrew worked in spaces too small to wear parachutes. A parachute pack was stowed separately and in the event of an emergency had to be retrieved and attached to the front of the airman’s parachute harness.

Parachute Pack, RAF, Chest Type, RAF Museum/Iain Duncan

Female Flak-Helper’s Arm Badge

Aircraft & Exhibits, London, Hangar Five, 1986/0591/U

By 1943 a lack of manpower led the Luftwaffe to turn to auxiliary forces for personnel to operate their flak and searchlight defences. These included female auxiliaries, schoolchildren aged 16 and Russian prisoners of war willing to help in exchange for better conditions.

Female Flak-Helper’s Arm Badge | 1986/0591/U, RAF Museum/Iain Duncan

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