England
RAF Museum Cosford
Hangar Three: Warplanes
* Page under construction*
Cosford`s Hangar Three houses its `War in the Air` display, although there are numerous other `warplanes` in the museum`s collection which could easily qualify for inclusion here. Likewise, many of Hangar Three`s aircraft, such as this Me-163 Komet (Comet), could fit into an additional category to qualify for display within one of the other themed hangars.
The Warplanes collection unsurprisingly has examples of Battle of Britain `winners`, the Hurricane and Spitfire. The first Supermarine Spitfire Mk.1s entered service in August 1938, with the RAF`s 19 Squadron and by the outbreak of war nine squadrons were equipped with them. The Spitfire was the only aircraft that could match the German Messerschmitt Bf-109E in aerial combat during the Battle of Britain. This very early Spitfire IA, K9942 'SD-D' / 8383M, (the 155th built) was constructed at Southampton and flown from Eastleigh in April 1939. It flew operationally throughout the war before being earmarked for preservation in 1944. Following periods in store and occasional exhibitions around the country, in 1971 K9942 ended up at the RAF Museum at Hendon. After restoration in 1998 at RAF Bicester it moved back to Hendon and later on to Cosford in 2002.
The Hawker Hurricane was designed in 1934 and entered service in 1937 to become the fastest fighter in service by 100 mph at that time. By 1939, 500 were on RAF strength with 32 squadrons eventually being equipped with the type. Hurricanes shot down more enemy aircraft during the Battle of Britain than all the other air and ground defences combined. They were also used in North Africa and later in the Far East against Japan. This example, a Hurricane IIc, Serial Number LF738 'UH-A', was built in 1944 and used for pilot training until it was utilised for ground instruction at the end of the war. Following gate guard duties at Biggin Hill it was restored by the Royal Aeronautical Society and finally moved to Cosford in 1995.
The Hawker Hurricane was designed in 1934 and entered service in 1937 to become the fastest fighter in service by 100 mph at that time. By 1939, 500 were on RAF strength with 32 squadrons eventually being equipped with the type. Hurricanes shot down more enemy aircraft during the Battle of Britain than all the other air and ground defences combined. They were also used in North Africa and later in the Far East against Japan. This example, a Hurricane IIc, Serial Number LF738 'UH-A', was built in 1944 and used for pilot training until it was utilised for ground instruction at the end of the war. Following gate guard duties at Biggin Hill it was restored by the Royal Aeronautical Society and finally moved to Cosford in 1995.
Hangar 3 hosts a new exhibition area dedicated to Britain`s airmen and airwomen during the Great War. It opened on 15 January 2015 after financial support from the Heritage Lottery Fund and BAE Systems. The centrepiece of the First World War display is a trio of famous planes from the era, namely a Sopwith Pup, Sopwith Strutter and Bristol M1c, the latter pair being full-scale replicas. Personal items that once belonged to 2nd Lt Kevin Robert Furniss of the Royal Flying Corps (RFC), who lived only a few miles away from Cosford at Wolverhampton, are displayed alongside the aircraft.
`The First World War in the Air` with three aircraft from that era as its centrepiece. The Bristol M1c and Sopwith 11/2 Strutter (above) are replicas but the Sopwith Pup on show is a genuine veteran. The 1½ Strutter, so named because of the unusual arrangement of its central mainplane bracing struts, was designed in 1915 as a high performance combat aircraft. It was ordered in large numbers for both the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) and it was widely used by the French, Belgian and United States air forces. France actually went on to produce more of these aircraft than Great Britain. The museum`s replica was built to original Sopwith factory drawings and flown in 1980. It bears the markings of A8226, which was initially allotted to the Royal Flying Corps in France. Its operational career ended on 27 May 1917 after it was shot down.
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Right: Sopwith Pup N5182. This design was thought of by its pilots as the perfect flying machine. It was used extensively by RAF predecessors the Royal Naval Air Service and the Royal Flying Corps both at home and abroad. The first Pups reached the Western Front in the autumn of 1916 allowing enthusiastic British pilots to maintain their hard-won domination until mid-1917 when newer German aircraft redressed the balance. The military hierarchy preferred to call the plane the `Sopwith Scout`, thinking that the name `Pup` was undignified but this did more than anything else to carve its name in combat aviation history.
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The Bristol MC.1 was an early example of a fighter monoplane. During the spring of 1916, casualties among Royal Flying Corps’ aircrew began to mount as their machines were no match for the Fokker monoplanes used by the Germans. To meet the urgent demand for new and better aircraft, the Bristol Aeroplane Co. designed a new single-seat monoplane incorporating much of the experience gained from earlier machines. The new aircraft was said to have sparkling performance and manoeuvrability but a combination of prejudice against monoplanes, a dislike for its high landing speed and poor downward view meant it found little favour in the War Office and only 125 were ordered. Only five squadrons were partly equipped with the M.1 for operational use although a number were issued to flying schools. It served in the Middle East and Balkans during the last two years of the war.
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The `Great War in the Air` exhibition uses the RAF Museum’s aircraft, documents, film and photographs to reveal how aviation changed the character of war forever. Displayed alongside the three WW1 era machines are the personal items of Second Lieutenant Kevin Robert Furniss, an RFC pilot who came from Wolverhampton, a few miles from Cosford. Items, donated by his great niece, include letters, a flying helmet and his wash kit.
There is also a gallery of art by various accomplished aviation artists featuring scenes from the Great War. All works are available for sale via the museum. Just a few examples are shown below. |
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Pictured above is RFC- Alfresco Haircut, an oil by Ken Farmer.
Ready with the Sting - Bristol Fighters by James Field. Acrylic.
From the Heavens into Hell - an oil by Graham Turner. The observer of an unarmed BE2c struggles to drag the unconscious pilot from the cockpit of his doomed aircraft while the Fokker Eindekker that forced them down into the mud of no-man`s land flies overhead.
Sopwith Tabloids over Dunkerque, an oil by David R Hardstaff.
Lucky Break - Fokker DR1 v Bristol F2B, an oil by Bruce Mackay.
Many of airmen and airwomen`s personal stories are also told.
The Hawker Hind (below) was a development of the Hart and was supplied to the RAF as an interim type to permit the formation of new bomber squadrons prior to the outbreak of the Second World War. First issued to front-line squadrons at the end of 1935, the Hind had been replaced by Battles and Blenheims barely three years later. After withdrawal from bomber duties Hinds remained in use as trainers and glider tugs. The aircraft exhibited, known as an Afghan, was presented to the RAF Museum by the Royal Afghan Air Force in 1968. It carries the serial number `K5414` and was previously owned by the Shuttleworth Trust who returned it to flying condition when it was allocated the civil registration G-AENP.
The Hawker Hind (below) was a development of the Hart and was supplied to the RAF as an interim type to permit the formation of new bomber squadrons prior to the outbreak of the Second World War. First issued to front-line squadrons at the end of 1935, the Hind had been replaced by Battles and Blenheims barely three years later. After withdrawal from bomber duties Hinds remained in use as trainers and glider tugs. The aircraft exhibited, known as an Afghan, was presented to the RAF Museum by the Royal Afghan Air Force in 1968. It carries the serial number `K5414` and was previously owned by the Shuttleworth Trust who returned it to flying condition when it was allocated the civil registration G-AENP.
Constructed out of wood, the de Havilland Mosquito was light and very fast. It could carry 1,000lb of bombs 1,500 miles at a speed of almost 400 mph which was twice the speed of contemporary British bombers. Using the experience of building the DH.88 Comet Racer de Havilland conceived the aircraft in 1938, with the prototype day-bomber taking to the air for the first time in November 1940.
The Mosquito would eventually be used in a variety of roles, including; low-level tactical daytime bomber, high altitude night bomber, pathfinder, day and night fighter, trainer and for reconnaissance. Towards the end of its career it was used as a target tug. A total of 7,781 were built, the last being completed in 1950. The museum`s example is Mosquito TT.35 TA639 which was delivered at the close of World War Two but subsequently went into storage until 1952 when it was converted to a target tug and served as such until 1963.
Originally designed in 1935 to perform the roles of casualty evacuation, army co-operation and liaison, the Fieseler Storch (Stork) was noted for its remarkable STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) performance. A total of 2,549 examples were built during WW2 in Germany, France and Czechoslovakia.
Messerschmitt Me410A-1/U2 Hornisse "Hornet" 420430 '3U+CC' and AM.72. Based on the flawed Me210, the Me410 entered service in 1943 as a night-bomber. With the introduction of two 20mm MG 151/20 cannon, as with the 'U2' variant on display, they were used to effectively attack unescorted formations of Allied bombers.
This Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-8 was transferred to Cosford after spending over 20 years hanging from the ceiling of the Imperial War Museum, London. When first introduced in 1941, the Fw 190 outperformed the Spitfire Mk V, the mainstay RAF fighter at that time. The Fw 190 maintained its supremacy until the introduction of Spitfire Mk IX in 1942.
This Corgi folding motorcycle was designed to be air-dropped in a canister for use by parachutists.There is no individual history recorded for this vehicle which was purchased from a private owner in 1985.
This Me163 was found at Husum airfield, Germany, on May 8, 1945 and transported back to Farnborough. By July 1945 it was in store at Brize Norton eventually finding its way to Cosford in 1975.
This Me163 was found at Husum airfield, Germany, on May 8, 1945 and transported back to Farnborough. By July 1945 it was in store at Brize Norton eventually finding its way to Cosford in 1975.
Mitsubishi Ki-46-III 'Dinah' and Okah suicide plane. Designed as a fighter and for ground attack, the Dinah later excelled as a high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft with the Japanese forces. Its first flight was in 1939. The Yokosuka MXY7 Ohka Model 11 was another desperate attempt to defend the Japanese homeland and shrinking Empire in the wake of overwhelming Allied superiority towards the end of World War 2. The rocket powered aircraft was launched from a 'Mother' aircraft, and was designed to glide as far as possible before the pilot ignited the rocket for a high-speed powered approach to impact on its target.
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Folland Gnat.
Below: de Havilland DH-112 Venom FB.54, serial number J-1704, is an ex Swiss Air Force example. The first Venom prototype flew on September 2, 1949 and despite a strong resemblance to the earlier Vampire, the Venom was in fact a largely new design, with an entirely new wing and other refinements to take full advantage of the more powerful de Havilland Ghost engine.
The Venom served with the Royal Air Force as a single-seat fighter-bomber and two-seat night fighter. The 22 FB.54s built were purchased by Venezuela and Switzerland in the 1950s.
Below: de Havilland DH-112 Venom FB.54, serial number J-1704, is an ex Swiss Air Force example. The first Venom prototype flew on September 2, 1949 and despite a strong resemblance to the earlier Vampire, the Venom was in fact a largely new design, with an entirely new wing and other refinements to take full advantage of the more powerful de Havilland Ghost engine.
The Venom served with the Royal Air Force as a single-seat fighter-bomber and two-seat night fighter. The 22 FB.54s built were purchased by Venezuela and Switzerland in the 1950s.
The Harrier etc*
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During the Argentine defence of the Falkland Islands in 1982, twenty-four Ground-attack Pucaras were dispatched and made 186 sorties between them, including a number of rocket attacks. Their only notable success, however, was the downing of a Royal Marine Westland Scout helicopter as most Pucaras were immobilised on the ground by British forces. Another Pucara was shot down by a Royal Navy Sea Harrier. This Mercedes G-Wagen on the left was captured by Gurkhas from the Argentinians during the conflict. Below: The `sharp end` of BAe Harrier GR.9 ZG477.
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