Showing 1 to 10 of 12 search results

Bristol F.2b (Replica)

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1918, London, Hangar Two, 72/A/992

The Bristol Fighter was designed in 1916 as a replacement for the B.E. two-seaters. No.48 Squadron received the first production aircraft and introduced them into service during the Battle of Arras in April 1917. Flown in the tight defensive formations normal to two-seaters at the time, this baptism of fire was unsuccessful but it became an excellent fighting machine when the tactics were changed to allow it to be flown in the more aggressive manner of a single-seater. By the end of the war the type had been used for offensive patrols, photographic reconnaissance, escort fighting and ground attacks.

Image pending

De Havilland Vampire F3

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1947-1964, London, Hangar Three/Four, 78/A/873

This aircraft entered RAF service in 1947 as a fighter interceptor. Initially based in Cyprus it was badly damaged in a landing accident when with No. 601 (County of London) Squadron Auxiliary Air Force.

Image pending

Hawker Tempest Mk. II

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1946-1960, Cosford, Hangar Three, 1992/0345/A

This Hawker Tempest II served with the RAF in what is now Pakistan, before being transferred to the Indian Air Force. It returned to the UK in 1979.

Image pending

Recorded interview with Flight Lieutenant John Holton, 5 November 2019

Film & Sound, In Storage, X008-5624

Interview with John Holton, who served as an RAF navigator in Meteor night fighter aircraft, as an instructor on Brigand and Balliol aircraft and as an operations officer at Khormaksar.

Image pending

Curtiss Kittyhawk Mk IV

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1944, London, Hangar Five, 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

Hawker Tempest TT.5

Aircraft & Exhibits, JAN 1945-1972, In Storage, 72/A/571

The Tempest was one of the last piston-engined front line fighters demonstrating the maximum performance that could be achieved with a piston engine and propeller combination.

Hawker Tempest on display at the RAF Museum, © RAF Museum/Iain Duncan / RAF Museum

Sopwith Triplane

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1917-1937, London, Hangar Two, 74/A/19

The Triplane was a highly manoeuvrable single-seat scout with phenomenal rates of climb and roll. The arrival of the Triplane on the Western Front in early 1917 made such an impression on the Germans that they asked their manufacturers to produce triplane fighters, leading to the Fokker Dr1 of 'Red Baron' fame.

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

Fokker DVII

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1918-1938, London, Hangar Two, 75/A/804

The Fokker DVII was one of the outstanding fighters of the First World War, designed to win back German air superiority. Herman Goering, later Head of Hitler's Luftwaffe, was an early DVII ace.

Biplane with colourful camouflage pattern on 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

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