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RAF Stories

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

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Time period

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

I’m in the mood for…

Angry Sad Humour Wow Love

Values

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

Themes

Parenthood Deployment Training Female Experience Black Experience Flying Teenage Experience Travel Terrorism Leave Pets Friendship Disability Career POW Death Asian Experience LGBT Experience Achievement Technology Duty Injury Bravery Joining up Plane spotting Life on base Hobbies Sport Weather Failure Defense

Technology

Aircraft Technologies
- Lockheed Hercules Series (RAF)
- North American Mustang (Mark unknown)
- Avro Lancaster (Mark unknown)
- Westland Sea King Series
- British Aircraft Corporation TSR.2
- Bristol Beaufighter (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)
- Sepecat Jaguar
- Eurofighter Typhoon FGR.4
- Blackburn B-101 Beverley
- Vickers Vimy Series
- De Havilland Mosquito Series
- De Havilland D.H.71 Tiger Moth
- Westland Sea King HAR.3
- Sopwith 2F.1 Camel
- Supermarine Spitfire (Mark unknown)
- Vickers Wellington (Mark unknown)
- 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)
- (By Manufacturer [T to Z])
- Hawker-Siddeley Harrier GR.3
- Lockheed-Martin F-35C Lightning II
- Panavia Tornado Series
- Supermarine Spitfire (Mark unknown)
- Avro Lincoln (Mark unknown)
- Avro Lincoln (Mark unknown)
- General Dynamics F-111 (Mark unknown)
- Short Belfast
- Handley Page Hampden Series
- Bristol Blenheim Mk. IV
- Vickers Wellington Mk. IC
- British Aircraft Corporation Lightning T.5
- De Havilland D.H.9A (Mark unknown)
- Avro Lancaster Series
- Hawker-Siddeley Harrier (Mark unknown)
- Avro York (Mark unknown)
Vehicle Technologies
- 1½ ton, Granit 1500

RAF Ranks

Flight Officer Sergeant Flight Lieutenant Clerk 1st Class Squadron Leader Acting Squadron Leader Captain Senior Aircraftman Warrant Officer Flight Sergeant First Lieutenant Aircraftman Class I Flying Officer Sergeant 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 Signaller I Squadron Leader Pilot III

Units

13 Bomb Disposal Section 1 Squadron, RAF Regiment 148 Squadron 11 Operational Training Unit 4 Squadron Far East Air Force Queen's Colour Squadron, RAF Regiment 11 Squadron 230 Squadron 15 Bomb Disposal Squad 1 (Coastal) Operational Training Unit 1 (LAA) Wing, RAF Regiment 5003 Airfield Construction Squadron 50 Squadron 144 Squadron 19 Flying Training School 54 Squadron 2 Motor Transport Squadron 156 Squadron

RAF Stations

RAF Akrotiri RAF Biggin Hill RAF Compton Bassett RAF Gütersloh RAF Cottesmore RAF Scampton RAF Lichfield RAF El Adem Direction Island RAF Wilmslow RAF Boscombe Down RAF Duxford RAF Aldergrove RAF Finningley 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 Benson RAF Colerne RAF Warmwell RAF Burtonwood RAF Warboys

Military Events

British Ground Operations In Iraq, 2003 to date Gulf War, 1990-1991 Battle of Britain, 1940 Occupation of France, 1940-1944 Cold War, 1946-1989 Lancaster Attack on Tirpitz, October 1944 Herrick, 2002-2014 Telic, 2003 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 Able Archer 83, 1983 Bosnia War, 1993 to date Berlin Airlift, 1948-1949 Blockade of Berlin, 1948-1949 Attacks on France, 1939-1945 Spanish Civil War, 1936-1939 Attacks on Belgium, 1939-45

Partners

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

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

The Great Escape

50 Allied airmen, from 12 nations, murdered in cold blood by the Gestapo

Almost uniquely, the whole crew survived the war
Peter Wright
We heard a shot, and knew that the escape had been discovered
Charles Clarke
50 Allied airmen, from 12 nations, murdered in cold blood by the Gestapo

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.