Showing 71 to 80 of 204 search results

Paraffin Flare Wick

Aircraft & Exhibits, London, Hangar One, X006-4858

Before the advent of permanent runways with electric lights, airfields would be lit with flares to indicate landing paths in the dark.

Cloth cylinder with label attachment, © RAF Museum

Service Dress Cap of Other Ranks

Aircraft & Exhibits, London, Hangar One, X003-9396

In 1996 the Other Ranks uniform underwent a number of subtle changes which included the replacement of the metal cap badge with an embroidered version.

Blue grey stiff fabric cap with plastic peak, decorative cloth band, strap and embroidered badge, © RAF Museum

Pilot's Wings

Aircraft & Exhibits, London, Hangar One, 71/U/435

This badge is one of the most coveted in the world. The granting of pilot's wings signifies you have become a pilot in the RAF. The RAF badge closely follows the pattern of the Royal Flying Corps badge first approved by King George V in 1913.

Wing shaped badge with central lettering RAF, mounted on original signed issuing paper, © RAF Museum

Cap of a Women's Royal Air Force Motor Transport Driver

Aircraft & Exhibits, London, Hangar One, 66/U/314

One of the major roles undertaken by the Women's Royal Air Force was that of Motor Transport Driver.

Soft brown leather cap lined with rabbit fur with furry fringes folded back against cap, © RAF Museum

Control Column Grip

Aircraft & Exhibits, London, Hangar One, 1987/1430/A

Spade shaped control column tops were a common feature of British aircraft designs from the 1920s right through to the 1950s.

Semi-circular leather handle with metal lower half and two levers, © RAF Museum

Service Dress Hat of Women's Auxiliary Air Force Other Ranks

Aircraft & Exhibits, London, Hangar One, X003-3619

At its formation in 1939, the Women's Auxiliary Air Force adopted a cap which was reminiscent of the Women's Royal Air Force cap from the First World War.

Blue grey fabric cap with baggy soft crown, hard peak and decorative cloth band and strap with metal badge, © RAF Museum

RAF Central Band Full Dress Helmet

Aircraft & Exhibits, London, Hangar One, X003-6842

This busby-style of headdress replaced the peaked caps of the RAF Central Band in 1977.

Black fur cylindrical helmet, and bristle plume at front above gold embroidered badge and golden fabric strap, © RAF Museum

Flying Wire Acorn

Aircraft & Exhibits, London, Hangar One, 83/A/811

Flying wires, which can be seen connecting a biplane's wings, serve two purposes. They support the weight of the wings when on the ground and hold the wings in place when flying.

Elongated chrome egg with large slot along one side, © 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

Field Service Cap of Other Ranks

Aircraft & Exhibits, London, Hangar One, 77/U/870

As an economy measure in 1943, black plastic buttons and badges replaced the brass examples previously found on the 1936 Pattern cap.

Blue grey fabric cap, with two plastic buttons at front, © RAF Museum