Aviation Historian

For Valour: Sergeant Norman Cyril Jackson VC
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.

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For Valour: Squadron Leader John Dering Nettleton VC
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.

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For Valour: Flying Officer Kenneth Campbell’s Victoria Cross
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.

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For Valour: Pilot Officer Cyril Joe Barton’s Victoria Cross
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.

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For Valour: Captain Edwin Swales’ Victoria Cross
For Valour: Captain Edwin Swales’ Victoria Cross

22 February 2024

This post covers Captain Edward Swales who earnt the Victoria Cross on 23 February

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Escaping the V-Bomber
Escaping the V-Bomber

31 January 2024

Why did V-bomber pilots have ejection seats but the rear-seat crew did not?

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For Valour: Flight Sergeant George Thompson’s Victoria Cross
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.

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A Local Memorial to Bravery
A Local Memorial to Bravery

20 December 2023

A square in Colindale has been named after female aviation pioneer Gabrielle Patterson.

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Supporting the Vulcan: RAF Police Dogs and the Standard Vanguard
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.

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Arthur Scarf’s Victoria Cross
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

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Avro Vulcan: part 4. The final Black Buck raids.
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.

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Harriers over Falklands
Harriers over Falklands

18 May 2022

The BAe Harrier will always be associated with the Falklands War, now 40 years ago.

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Air-to-air refuelling in the Falklands War
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.

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The Hercules in 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

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The Avro Vulcan: Part 3
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.

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The Boeing Chinook
The Boeing Chinook

1 April 2022

The Chinook is an iconic helicopter which has served the RAF for over 40 years.

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Squadron Leader Lawrence ‘Benny’ Goodman
Squadron Leader Lawrence ‘Benny’ Goodman

26 July 2021

A tribute to former RAF pilot Squadron Leader Lawrence 'Benny' Goodman

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The first flight of the Spitfire
The first flight of the Spitfire

5 March 2021

On this day, 5 March in 1936, now 85 years ago, the first Spitfire took the skies.

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Citizen Airman 2: Ray Holmes
Citizen Airman 2: Ray Holmes

16 September 2020

Citizen Airman 2: Ray Holmes and the ‘Buckingham Palace Raider’

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Vehicles of the Battle of Britain
Vehicles of the Battle of Britain

11 September 2020

The Battle of Britain may have been waged in the air, but there was a lot happening on the ground and at sea in order to keep the aircraft fighting.

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