First World War
For Valour: Lt. (temp. Capt.) Albert Ball, VC, DSO**, MC, Legion d’Honneur (France); Order of St. George 4th Class (Russia). Late Notts. and Derby Regiment, and R.F.C.
6 May 2025
14 August 1896 – 7 May 1917 Portrait of Captain Albert Ball V.C. Oil on canvas Artist Noel Denholm Davis (1876-1950) (Nottingham City Museums and Galleries NCM_1990-624) […]
The British Caproni triplane
6 October 2022
Triplanes In the photographic archives at the RAF Museum we hold a series of photographs of a somewhat bizarre-looking aircraft in RAF colours. They are triplanes, meaning […]
The Few and the First Battle of Britain: Part 3
5 August 2020
The Few and the Battle of Britain Pt III: The Raids on London, June-July 1917
The fall of the Red Baron
22 April 2020
Thus, I joined the Flying Service at the end of May 1915. My greatest wish was fulfilled
Reviving History Through Art
8 April 2020
How painstaking research brought to life one man’s Royal Flying Corps service.
Flying boats over the Heligoland Bight
20 November 2019
Gordon Leith, Museum Librarian, describes the ingenious way in which the range of flying boats was increased during the First World War.
A Letter from 11 November 1918
11 November 2018
The RAF Museum’s Archives hold a letter, written by Lieutenant Ronald FH Norman of No. 55 Squadron to his mother on 11 November 1918, Armistice Day
The First British Ace
8 November 2018
This Remembrance Weekend marks 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War, here we look at the career of the first British ace, Lanoe George Hawker
Salamandrine Fire
29 June 2018
In this last of his Sopwith blogs, Julian Hale examines the development of the ground-attack Sopwith Salamander
A Cuckoo in the Nest
22 May 2018
In his latest blog Julian Hale writes of the first purpose-designed carrier-borne torpedo bomber
WW1 Flying boat crew
9 December 2016
How the five man crew of a Large America flying boat worked together on patrols over the sea during the First World War.
Flying boats over the Northern Isles
26 November 2015
Between 1917 and 1918 British flying boats based in the Orkney and Shetland Islands hunted U-Boats preying on merchant shipping.
Aircrew opinions on Aerial Reconnaissance
18 June 2015
Did the opinions of Royal Flying Corps Aircrew have any influence over the development of technology and tactics used in aerial reconnaissance?
The Forgotten Father of the Royal Air Force
28 April 2015
Volunteer George Mason looks at the forgotten life of one of the founders of the Royal Air Force
Flying boats over the Western Approaches
14 April 2015
The Scilly Isles were an important base for flying boats patrolling the seas off south west Britain during the First World War
Flying Boats over the North Sea
10 November 2014
During 1917 and 1918 RNAS and RAF flying boats played a vital part in the defence of British coastal waters.
A Few of the First: The RFC, August 1914
2 September 2014
A hundred years ago, four squadrons of the Royal Flying Corps flew to France. This article examines the aircraft and their all-too brief service careers.
Preparing for War: The RFC’s Concentration Camp
29 July 2014
The Royal Flying Corps’ timely trail mobilization of June 1914 ensured that the RFC was ready for war if and when it came.
The Adventures of Grace Mary Berry WRAF
17 July 2014
A fascinating insight into the life of a WRAF in the First World War, the diary of Member Grace Mary Berry is digitised.