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Consolidated PBY-6A Catalina

Aircraft & Exhibits, APR 1945-MAY 1974, Cosford, External Display, 74/A/789

The last version of the ‘Cat’ to be developed, the PBY 6A, amphibian, was the culmination of a design associated with some of the most notable maritime air operations of the Second World War. Initially designed to meet a pre war US Navy requirement for a new maritime patrol aircraft, the prototype PBY 1 first took to the air on 21 March 1935. Subsequently, the PBY series of flying boats and amphibians were built in greater numbers than any other aircraft of their type and used by Air Forces and civilian operators around the world.

Twin piston engine aircraft in Royal Danish Air Force grey / bright orange scheme., © RAF Museum/Iain Duncan / (c) RAF Museum/ Iain Duncan

Bristol Britannia 312

Aircraft & Exhibits, DEC 1957-31 MAY 1984, Cosford, External Display, 84/A/740

Designed to a 1947 specification for a medium-range airliner for the British Overseas Airways Corporation, the Britannia prototype made its first flight on 16 August 1952. A long-range version, the Series 300 as pictured, was developed for trans-Atlantic service and entered service on the London-New York route on 19 December 1957.

Four engine transport aircraft in white RAF Transport Command finish with blue 'cheat line', © RAF Museum/Iain Duncan / (c) RAF Museum/ Iain Duncan

Hawker-Siddeley Dominie T1

Aircraft & Exhibits, DEC 1964-JAN 2011, Cosford, External Display, X005-5915

The Dominie advanced navigation trainer saw long service with the RAF. It was the first jet-powered navigation trainer designed specifically for such a purpose to enter service with the Royal Air Force.

Small black-painted aircraft with two jet engines in nacelles to rear of fuselage, © RAF Museum/Iain Duncan / (c) RAF Museum/ Iain Duncan

Hawker Siddeley Andover E3A

Aircraft & Exhibits, 1967-1994, Cosford, External Display, 1994/1475/A

The Andover was developed from the Avro 748 airliner to meet the requirement for Short Take-off & Landing (STOL) transport aircraft to operate in the trooping, paratrooping, airdropping, freighting and casevac roles. The modified aircraft incorporates a hydraulic kneeling arrangement in the main undercarriage to allow the rear loading door to adjust to any truckbed height.

Side on view of twin turboprop medium transport aircraft in white and red colour scheme with RAF roundels, Royal Air Force Museum

Lockheed Hercules C3

Aircraft & Exhibits, AUG 1967-AUG 2011, Cosford, External Display, X005-5969

First flown as a prototype for the United States Air Force in August 1954, the C-130 Hercules, as a troop transport, disaster relief and aerial tanker aircraft has been a mainstay of the RAF transport fleet since the late 1960s (along with those of many other air forces); it has seen extensive operational use including the Falklands, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Large green-painted, four-engined high wing transport aircraft, © RAF Museum / (c) RAF Museum/ Iain Duncan

Hawker Siddeley Nimrod R1

Aircraft & Exhibits, DEC 1970-JUL 2011, Cosford, External Display, X006-1343

The Nimrod maritime reconnaissance aircraft was derived from the Comet airliner. It originally entered RAF service in 1969 in MR1 variant to replace the Avro Shackleton. From 1979 35 aircraft were upgraded to the improved MR2 standard. Nimrod continued in service until 2010 when its successor, the MRA4 was cancelled. The aircraft was modified to carry wing-mounted Sidewinder air-air missiles for self -defence during the Falklands conflict in 1982 were known as the ‘RAF’s biggest fighter’! Less successful was the airborne early warning version, Nimrod AEW3 which was test flown but did not enter service.

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