RAF Stories

I'm a rebel woman.

They weren't to know this little old lady had broken the sound barrier.

He was worried I'd be a 'typical female'.

I don't believe in women pilots, but you're ok.

I was paid 2p per day less than my male colleagues

Grandma served egg and chips to Winston Churchill

They didn't realize I'd been flying the aircraft.

Women have proved themselves just as good as our male counterparts.

I was afraid that someone would have to lay down their life to protect me.

I was stubborn: I had to prove I could do it.

I saw a job advert in Cosmopolitan

My sexuality has no impact on my role in the RAF.

I hadn't even had my ears pierced

In my mind I could hear my Nan telling me what I should do.

The RAF couldn't waste my skills and experience.

After my first flight I was buzzing for days

My experiences in Iraq had become a constant, invasive thought

I hadn't even had my ears pierced

Could you drop a nuclear bomb?

It's so difficult for a mum to hand your son over to the RAF

My 21st birthday present was to still be alive

55,000 souls on board

Churchill wanted that ship destroyed

The Dengineers built me a WWII plane themed den

I'm going to call you Hopscotch.

296 Squadron has a very proud history

My RAF friends will be there forever

Everyone has a role to play.

The RAF gave me a new cultural identity.

My sexuality has no impact on my role in the RAF.

I came out as transgender while serving.

I see myself as the Jose Mourinho of Tug of War

He wasn't a prince. He was part of the team.

I was afraid that someone would have to lay down their life to protect me.

You live in fear of the black car.

Mother was horrified, but Father overruled her.

In my mind I could hear my Nan telling me what I should do.

I decided I needed to be a dad.

I’m British. It was natural for me to protect the country I was in.

When we lose someone we journey through it as a family.

On the outside I was super cool. On the inside I was praying every night.

Mum and Dad fell in love on the roof of the Air Ministry

I got home just in time to get married

My Father and his co-pilot were both killed

Father was the sole survivor. Twice

Father was pulled from a burning plane

Almost uniquely, the whole crew survived the war

The great, waxed moustache bristled

He served 1939-45, two tours, DFM from the King. An amazing man

The engine was on fire as it made its final approach

Churchill wanted that ship destroyed

The family called him "Fatty"

Even Hitler stopped for Christmas

There's nothing white that drips out of engines

I could have been an RAF brat

The whole mission was a catalogue of disasters

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.

RAF Museum Cosford’s Nimrod R.Mk.1

Laura is a visitor from the Bundeswehr Museum of Military History

We were under attack, but no-one stopped playing cards.

Exposed to the greatest danger, he refused to back down.

I can still see his face as if it was yesterday.

There were death threats. But I'm still here.

I won't let my autism be a disadvantage.

He held fire while the German crew bailed out.

Get up and put your trousers on.

I admitted I was gay. They could have sent me to prison.

Mum's parachute didn't open. She never jumped again.

I saw a sport that was failing.

I was just relieved I could open my eyes.