Aviation Historian
For Valour: Flying Officer Leslie Thomas Manser (66542) VC
30 May 2024
On the night of 30/31 May 1942, Bomber Command mounted ‘Operation Millennium’, the first 'Thousand Raid', against Cologne.
For Valour: Flight Lieutenant Cruickshank VC
20 May 2024
Born on 20 May 1920, Flight Lieutenant Cruickshank VC (126700), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, was awarded the Victoria Cross.
For Valour: Wing Commander Guy Penrose Gibson VC
17 May 2024
The ‘Dambusters’ raid by 617 Squadron on 16 May 1943, led by Wing Commander Guy Gibson, is one of the best known events in the history of the RAF.
For Valour: Sergeant Thomas Gray and Flying Officer Donald Garland’s Victoria Crosses
9 May 2024
The story of two men who both earnt the Victoria Cross whilst trying to destroy bridges using the Fairey Battle.
For Valour: Squadron Leader Leonard Henry Trent VC
30 April 2024
On 3 May 1943, Squadron Leader Leonard Trent was B Flight Commander, equipped with Lockheed Ventura light bombers.
For Valour: Sergeant Norman Cyril Jackson VC
26 April 2024
On 26 April 1943, Sergeant Jackson was Flight Engineer on Lancaster ME 669, coded ZN-O.
For Valour: Squadron Leader John Dering Nettleton VC
17 April 2024
In the Spring of 1942, German U-Boats were winning the Battle of the Atlantic, the Air Ministry decided to mount an attack on the M.A.N.
For Valour: Flying Officer Kenneth Campbell’s Victoria Cross
6 April 2024
On 6 April 1941, Flying Officer Campbell was captain and pilot of Bristol Beaufort N 1016, coded OA-X, of 22 Squadron.
For Valour: Pilot Officer Cyril Joe Barton’s Victoria Cross
25 March 2024
On 30 March 1944, Pilot Officer Barton was Captain of Halifax LK 797, coded E and named Excalibur, of 78 Squadron, based at RAF Breighton.
For Valour: Captain Edwin Swales’ Victoria Cross
22 February 2024
This post covers Captain Edward Swales who earnt the Victoria Cross on 23 February
Escaping the V-Bomber
31 January 2024
Why did V-bomber pilots have ejection seats but the rear-seat crew did not?
For Valour: Flight Sergeant George Thompson’s Victoria Cross
1 January 2024
On 1 January 1945, Fl Sgt Thompson earned his Victoria Cross. This is the story behind his achievement.
A Local Memorial to Bravery
20 December 2023
A square in Colindale has been named after female aviation pioneer Gabrielle Patterson.
Supporting the Vulcan: RAF Police Dogs and the Standard Vanguard
8 November 2023
One exhibit in the Hendon museum which is often either overlooked or misunderstood is the Alsatian dog often found by the entrance to the Avro Vulcan.
Arthur Scarf’s Victoria Cross
4 March 2023
The incredible story of Arthur Scarf's bravery and why the RAF Museum is trying to save his Victoria Cross for the nation
Avro Vulcan: part 4. The final Black Buck raids.
1 June 2022
Tim Bracey looks at the final Black Buck raids which targeted Argentinian air defence radar on the Falkland Islands.
Harriers over Falklands
18 May 2022
The BAe Harrier will always be associated with the Falklands War, now 40 years ago.
Air-to-air refuelling in the Falklands War
12 May 2022
Volunteer Norman Brice tells the story of air-to-air refuelling by the Handley Page Victor during the Falklands War.
The Hercules in the Falklands War
10 May 2022
The Lockheed Hercules was an important transport aircraft used by the RAF in the Falklands War of 1982
The Avro Vulcan: Part 3
1 May 2022
The third part on the series of the history of the Avro Vulcan. Kris Hendrix looks at the Black Buck raids during the Falklands War.