VJ 75: Never Forgotten the RAF in the Far East
Celebrations for VE Day took place on 8 May 1945 but this was not the end of the war for those serving in the Far East. They would continue to fight in the harshest of environments against a determined, ruthless and efficient enemy until Japan surrendered on the 15 August 1945.
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Pilots of the Caribbean : Volunteers of African Heritage in the Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force Museum is committed to highlighting the diverse nature of the RAF over time and the vital contribution made to the defence of this country by Black airmen and airwomen. Here, in partnership with Black Cultural Archives, we tell the inspirational story of the African-Caribbean personnel, commemorating and celebrating their vital contribution to the defence of Britain, her Empire and Commonwealth.
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Air Transport Auxiliary
During the years of the Second World War a short lived, but remarkable, organisation existed. The Air Transport Auxiliary was a civilian service that was tasked with the delivery of aircraft from factories to the squadrons of the RAF and Royal Navy and the delivery of supplies. Featuring pilots exempt from wartime service due to health, age and gender they gained a reputation for being able to take anything to anywhere.
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Sir Alan Cobham’s Flying Circus; A Life of a Pioneer Aviator
Sir Alan Cobham is one of Britain’s greatest pilots who became famous for making aviation accessible and popular throughout the world. Cobham learnt to fly during the First World War and went on to set many long distance aviation records. He also inspired a generation to fly through his ‘Flying Circus’ and his legacy lives on through his company. This online exhibition supported the physical exhibition at our London site, which closed in 2015.
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An Enduring Relationship
Since its formation in 1959 the Royal Air Force of Oman has grown into one of the most capable air forces in the Middle East. This achievement has been supported throughout by mutual respect, friendship and encouragement between both Royal Air Services. This online exhibition is a companion piece to a physical exhibition of the same name which was on display at our London site in 2015.
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617 Squadron and the Dams Raid
17 May 2013 was the 70th anniversary of the “Dambusters” Raid, the attack on the Möhne, Eder and Sorpe dams in Germany by nineteen Avro Lancasters of the specially formed No. 617 Squadron, armed with the famous ‘bouncing bomb’. This exhibition explores the material in our archives that tells the story of Operation CHASTISE.
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Royal Flying Corps Centenary
2012 was the centenary of the formation of the Royal flying Corps which six years later would become the Royal Air Force. Using material from the Museum’s Archive collection this exhibition highlights the development of military aviation in Britain from its beginnings in 1862 up until the early years of the RFC prior to the outbreak of World War One.
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The Polish Air Force in the Second World War
During the Second World War, the Royal Air Force welcomed into its ranks thousands of exiles from German-occupied Poland. Polish personnel served in all RAF commands and in all theatres, and earned a reputation for exceptional courage and devotion to duty.
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Taking Flight – Flying Training in the RAF
Using material from the Museum’s Archive collection this exhibition highlights how Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force personnel have learnt to fly since the pioneering years of flight to the present day.
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History of the Battle of Britain
In this online exhibition we examine the economic factors and political forces that lead to the outbreak of World War 2 in 1939 and the Battle of Britain in 1940, before examining the phases of the Battle and its importance in preventing the invasion of the United Kingdom by German Forces in the autumn of that year.
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Douglas Bader: Fighter, Pilot
Douglas Robert Steuart Bader was born on 21st February 1910. At the age of thirteen, Douglas became interested in becoming a pilot in the Royal Air Force and was awarded one of six King’s Cadetships to the Royal Air Force College at Cranwell in 1928.
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Women of the Air Force
Over the last hundred years, the role of women within society has changed radically. This is particularly true in relation to Britain’s Armed Forces. In this exhibition we examine the various roles that women have undertaken during the Royal Air Force’s history and how the role of women in the Air Force has changed to reflect the Service’s requirements.
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Lest We Forget
In this online exhibition, Lest We Forget, we examine the sacrifices made during human conflict; inviting online visitors to reflect on the loss of the individual and the impact that their departure has on their families and loved ones. We also explore the importance of Remembrance through podcasts and celebrate the life of Henry Allingham.
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Americans in the Royal Air Force
In this exhibition we honour those American pilots who joined the Royal Air Force to defend the United Kingdom during the First and Second World Wars – men such as Olympian and Playboy Billy Fiske “an American Citizen, who died that England might live” and women such as Jackie Cochrane who were instrumental in sourcing American female pilots for the Air Transport Auxiliary.
Visit the Americans in the RAF Exhibition