Showing 11 to 20 of 87 search results

Plotting Block, Hostile Raid

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1939-1945, Cosford, Hangar Two, X002-6553

Plotting blocks and counters were used in Operations Rooms in the Second World War and particularly in the Battle of Britain to track the movements of incoming formations of enemy aircraft.

Wooden triangular prism-shaped block displaying numbers over two rows: ‘H01’ on yellow cards and ‘40+’ on blue cards, © RAF Museum

Supermarine Spitfire Mark I

Aircraft & Exhibits, APR 1939-NOV 1971, Cosford, Hangar Two, 72/A/263

More than any other aircraft, the Spitfire has become a much-loved symbol of winning against the odds. Designed by RJ Mitchell, its speed, agility and firepower made it one of the RAF's leading fighter aircraft of the Second World War.

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

Boulton Paul Defiant Mark I

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1940-1944, Cosford, Hangar Two, 74/A/16

The Defiant introduced a new tactical concept in two-seat RAF fighter design by concentrating all armament in a four-gun turret behind the cockpit. During the Battle of Britain, it proved no match for German fighters and was quickly withdrawn from daylight operations and moved to a night-fighter role.

Single engine aircraft with propeller and black wings and body, © RAF Museum

250lb Target Indicator (TI) Bomb, Mk 1

Aircraft & Exhibits, Circa 1945, Cosford, Hangar Two, 67/O/488

Target indicator bombs such as this 250lb bomb were used by Pathfinder aircraft such as Mosquitos to mark targets with brightly coloured pyrotechnics. They could be used as waymarkers or as an aiming point for the following aircraft.

Image pending

Ministry of Aircraft Production Plaque

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1940, Cosford, Hangar Two, X004-4347

This plaque was presented to the Wolverhampton Express and Star Fighter Fund by the Ministry of Aircraft Production to commemorate the purchase of Spitfire Mk Vb AB917 ‘The Inspirer’ which served with No. 401 Squadron.

Rectangular plaque with inscription in black and red text, © RAF Museum

Japanese Invasion Money

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1941-1945, Cosford, Hangar Two, X003-4289

Japan entered the Second World War allied to Germany and Italy and attempted to expand its empire through attacking and conquering territories throughout the Far East. Hong Kong, Malaya, Singapore, Java, Borneo, Sumatra and US Pacific territories including islands of the Philippines were among the countries which fell.

Rectangular bank note for One Dollar issued by the Japanese Government, © RAF Museum

Messerschmitt Bf 109G-2

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1942-1997, Cosford, Hangar Two, X001-2501

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

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

Smoking Pass for Apprentices' Squadron RAF Cranwell

Archives, 1943, Cosford, Hangar Two, X004-2467/004

RAF Apprentices were boys aged between 15 and 17 who had signed up for a three year technical training programme.

Folded paper pass with an official stamp and signature, © 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

Luftwaffe Issue Dessert Spoon

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1944-1945, Cosford, Hangar Two, X005-0863

Flight Sergeant Allen Clifford was the navigator of Lancaster PD374 of No. 218 Squadron which was shot down over Germany on 8 November 1944. He became a prisoner in Stalag Luft VII located in Silesia, Germany.

Silver plate spoon, © RAF Museum