Showing 71 to 80 of 87 search results

Aircraft Crash Axe

Aircraft & Exhibits, Cosford, Hangar Two, 78/T/346

Multi-crew and multi-engine aircraft were equipped with an axe to assist the crew in escaping from it in a crash. These sturdy steel axes had insulated rubber handles designed to allow the axe to be used to cut through live electrical cables.

Chrome-headed axe with black rubber handle, © RAF Museum

Medal Bar of Flying Officer Michael Edmund Staples

Aircraft & Exhibits, Cosford, Hangar Two, 80/D/1923

Michael Staples was a successful Spitfire pilot in the Battle of Britain, serving with No. 609 Squadron at RAF Middle Wallop in Hampshire.

Three medals on individual ribbons with different stripe patterns in multiple colours, © RAF Museum

Observer Corps Armband

Aircraft & Exhibits, Cosford, Hangar Two, 78/U/619

The Observer Corps, later Royal Observer Corps, was a civil defence organisation formed in 1925 to detect, identify, track and report aircraft in the skies over the UK.

Armband in black and white striped fabric with a metal clasp and ‘Observer Corps’ in red stitching, © RAF Museum

Medals of Air Commodore Al Deere

Aircraft & Exhibits, Cosford, Hangar Two, X003-1918

RAF Spitfire pilot Al Deere was perhaps the most famous of the many New Zealanders who joined the RAF and fought in the Second World War.

Ten medals on individual ribbons with different stripe patterns in multiple colours, © RAF Museum

Chocolate and Sugar Confectionery Coupon Card

Archives, Cosford, Hangar Two, X004-2374/009

During the Second World War food and other essential items were rationed to protect their supply. 70% of the sugar consumed by the UK was imported, and it was subject to strict rationing from January 1940.

Official paper pass with handwritten details and signatures, © RAF Museum

RAF Mark VI Cable Cutter for Barrage Balloon Wire

Aircraft & Exhibits, Cosford, Hangar Two, 71/A/1189

This wing-mounted cable cutter was powered by a small explosive charge and was intended to cut barrage balloon wires if an aircraft became entangled in them. The balloon cable would run into the notch, triggering the charge, which released a sharp blade like a chisel to sever the cable.

Chrome instrument, © RAF Museum

Möhne Dam Fragment

Aircraft & Exhibits, Cosford, Hangar Two, X003-1920

On the night of the 16/17 May 1943 the RAF's No. 617 Squadron carried out a low-level attack on dams in the Ruhr Valley using 'bouncing' bombs. Codenamed 'Operation Chastise' by the RAF, this audacious raid has become popularly known as the Dam Busters raid. The mission made the squadron's Commanding Officer, Wing Commander Guy Gibson, a household name.

Rough chunk of grey concrete-like material, © RAF Museum

Lightweight Gymnastic Club

Aircraft & Exhibits, Cosford, Hangar Two, 71/Z/271

Exercises with Indian clubs such as the one shown here were popular in the early twentieth century.

Wooden club shaped like a rounders bat, © RAF Museum

Poland Uniform Badge

Aircraft & Exhibits, Cosford, Hangar Two, 74/U/115

During the Second World War individuals from many Allied and Commonwealth nations joined the RAF. To acknowledge this multi-national support, uniform badges denoting the individuals' country of origin were authorised for wear.

Three cloth badges with names of countries in gold stitching, © RAF Museum

Chequered Hat Band, RAF Cosford

Aircraft & Exhibits, Cosford, Hangar Two, 73/U/1014

Boy Entrants wore a chequered hat band as part of their uniform. The colours of the hat band displayed, known as 'rhubarb and custard', were unique to RAF Cosford, which was one of the principal Boy Entrant training stations.

Coiled red and yellow chequered ribbon, RAF Museum