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RAF Stories

Discover RAF Stories which expand and enrich our understanding of the RAF today.

Create your own RAF Story

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Time period

WWII Post WWII 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s Contemporary

I’m in the mood for…

Angry Humour Wow Love Sad

Values

Heroism Compassion Discipline Family Friendship Service Leadership Spirituality Responsibility Honesty Excellence Courage Respect Loyalty Integrity Commitment Teamwork Pride Justice

Themes

Training Female Experience Black Experience Flying Teenage Experience Travel Parenthood Deployment POW Death Asian Experience LGBT Experience Achievement Technology Injury Duty Bravery Life on base Joining up Plane spotting Friendship Disability Career

Technology

Aircraft Technologies
- North American Mustang (Mark unknown)
- Avro Lancaster (Mark unknown)
- Westland Sea King Series
- Supermarine (Speed) Spitfire
- British Aircraft Corporation TSR.2
- Bristol Beaufighter (Mark unknown)
- Lockheed C-130A/H Hercules (Mark unknown)
- English Electric Canberra Series
- Panavia Tornado (Mark unknown)
- Hawker-Siddeley Harrier GR.1
- Hawker Hurricane (Mark unknown)
- Armstrong Whitworth Whitley (Mark unknown)
- Bristol Blenheim (Mark unknown)
- Vickers Wellington Mk. I
- Handley Page Hampden (Mark unknown)
- Handley Page Hampden Mk. I
- Handley Page Halifax GR.V
- Handley Page Hastings Series
- Short Sunderland (Mark unknown)
- Supermarine Spitfire (Mark unknown)
- Avro Lincoln (Mark unknown)
- Avro Lincoln (Mark unknown)
- General Dynamics F-111 (Mark unknown)
- (By Manufacturer [T to Z])
- Hawker-Siddeley Harrier GR.3
- Lockheed-Martin F-35C Lightning II
- Panavia Tornado Series
- Lockheed C-130A Hercules
- Vickers Wellington (Mark unknown)
- Westland Sea King ASaC.7
- Panavia Tornado GR.1
- Sepecat Jaguar GR.3A
- Lockheed-Martin F-35B Lightning II
- Westland Sea King (Mark unknown)
- Lockheed Hercules C.1
- Avro Lancaster (Mark unknown)
- Short Belfast
- Handley Page Hampden Series
- Bristol Blenheim Mk. IV
- Vickers Wellington Mk. IC
- British Aircraft Corporation Lightning T.5
- Westland Sea King HAR.3

RAF Ranks

Squadron Leader Acting Squadron Leader Captain Senior Aircraftman Flight Lieutenant Clerk 1st Class Warrant Officer Flight Sergeant Flight Officer Sergeant Corporal Warrant Officer Group Captain Flight Sergeant Wing Commander Flight Lieutenant Second Lieutenant Major General Air Commodore Chief Technician Pilot Officer Pilot Officer Sergeant Pilot Leading Aircraftwoman Flying Officer Sergeant Sergeant

Units

148 Squadron 1 Squadron, RAF Regiment 11 Operational Training Unit 13 Bomb Disposal Section 1 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit 1 (LAA) Wing, RAF Regiment 5003 Airfield Construction Squadron 144 Squadron 50 Squadron 230 Squadron School of General Reconnaissance 15 Bomb Disposal Squad

RAF Stations

RAF Biggin Hill RAF Compton Bassett RAF Gütersloh RAF Cottesmore RAF Scampton RAF El Adem RAF Lichfield RAF Akrotiri RAF Coningsby RAF Halton RAF Brize Norton RAF Bridgnorth RAF Catterick RAF Cranwell RAF Eastleigh RAF Honington RAF Driffield RAF Cosford RAF Oakington RAF Waddington RAF Blackpool RAF Lindholme RAF Colerne RAF Benson

Military Events

Occupation of France, 1940-1944 Cold War, 1946-1989 British Ground Operations In Iraq, 2003 to date Gulf War, 1990-1991 Battle of Britain, 1940 Lancaster Attack on Tirpitz, October 1944 Operations in Afghanistan, 2001 to date Operation Iraqi Freedom, 2003 Falklands Conflict, 1982 Bombing of Germany, 1939-1945 Blitz, The, 1940-1941 Allied Air Operations Over Iraq, 2003 Battle of Dunkirk, 1940 Allied Air Operations Over Iraq, 1991-2003 Battle of Atlantic, 1939-1945 Bombing of United Kingdom, 1939-1945 France Campaigns, 1939-1945 Air Attacks on Skoda Works, Pilsen, 16/17 April 1943 Telic, 2003

Partners

World Fuel Services
BAE Systems
RAFA
Northrop Grumman
MBDA
Rolls-Royce

Part of the Family

The Royal Air Force is more than just a military organisation, it is a community of servicemen and servicewomen spread across the globe, supporting and relying on each other both professionally and personally. This collection of stories explores what it means to be part of this special kind of family.

My RAF friends will be there forever
Trevor Edwards
Everyone has a role to play.
Charles Hammerton
The RAF gave me a new cultural identity.
Peter Ramrayka
My sexuality has no impact on my role in the RAF.
Kate Brophy
I came out as transgender while serving.
Ayla Holdom
I see myself as the Jose Mourinho of Tug of War
Flt. Lt. Gareth Davies
He wasn't a prince. He was part of the team.
Ayla Holdom
I was afraid that someone would have to lay down their life to protect me.
Eleanor Rance
You live in fear of the black car.
Christine Ankerson
Mother was horrified, but Father overruled her.
Shobha Earl
In my mind I could hear my Nan telling me what I should do.
Lauren Smith
I decided I needed to be a dad.
Ian Sweet
I’m British. It was natural for me to protect the country I was in.
Dheeraj Bhasin
When we lose someone we journey through it as a family.
Alice McDermott
On the outside I was super cool. On the inside I was praying every night.
Alice McDermott

More stories

Visitors' Stories

“Mum met Dad on the roof of The Air Ministry during the Blitz. And that’s where they fell in love.”
Visitors to the RAF Museum Cosford share their stories.

Mum and Dad fell in love on the roof of the Air Ministry
Gill Robinson
I got home just in time to get married
Darren Priday
My Father and his co-pilot were both killed
Ian Tunstall
Father was the sole survivor. Twice
Ian Powell
Father was pulled from a burning plane
Peter Woods
Almost uniquely, the whole crew survived the war
Peter Wright
The great, waxed moustache bristled
Rob Davis
He served 1939-45, two tours, DFM from the King. An amazing man
Bryan Craven
The engine was on fire as it made its final approach
David Cunningham
Churchill wanted that ship destroyed
Derek Payne
The family called him "Fatty"
Douglas Wilks
Even Hitler stopped for Christmas
Martin Lang
There's nothing white that drips out of engines
Norman Hancock
I could have been an RAF brat
Geoffrey Wake
The whole mission was a catalogue of disasters
Neil Sinfield

More stories

Stories from the Museum

There is a wealth of stories and knowledge within the staff of the Royal Air Force Museum. Listen to staff share their personal experiences, as well as stories about their favourite RAF Museum exhibits.

The most advanced fighter of its time
The oldest surviving Spitfire
The world’s first operational jet fighter
A visit from Berlin
There’s something spooky about this plane
Forgot your tapper? It’s your round!
The best tank of the Cold War
Keep your mouth shut, do as you're told and laugh at people.
Paul Parker
RAF Museum Cosford’s Nimrod R.Mk.1
Laura is a visitor from the Bundeswehr Museum of Military History

More stories

Everyday Heroes

In one way or another, servicemen & servicewomen often find themselves in situations that require courage, whether this be to undertake a dangerous mission, to overcome a challenge or to deal with fear, personal struggles or loss. This collection of stories explores the many ways in which courage is shown in the day to day life of RAF personnel.