For Valour: Captain Edward Corringham (‘Mick’) Mannock VC
For Valour: Captain Edward Corringham (‘Mick’) Mannock VC

25 July 2024

Major Edward 'Mick' Mannock was awarded more medals for courage than any other WW1 British fighter pilot.

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For Valour: Sergeant James Allen Ward (NZ/401793) VC Royal New Zealand Air Force
For Valour: Sergeant James Allen Ward (NZ/401793) VC Royal New Zealand Air Force

7 July 2024

On Sunday 22 June 1941, the Germans launched Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union.

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For Valour: Wing Commander Hughie Idwal Edwards (39005) VC DFC
For Valour: Wing Commander Hughie Idwal Edwards (39005) VC DFC

4 July 2024

On 4 July 1941, a daylight raid was ordered by fifteen Bristol Blenheims - led by W/C Edwards.

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For Valour: Flight Lieutenant David Ernest Hornell (Can/J.7594) VC
For Valour: Flight Lieutenant David Ernest Hornell (Can/J.7594) VC

24 June 2024

Hornell was well north of the Shetland Islands when the crew spotted a surfaced submarine, Type IXC/40 U-1225, which they attacked

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From Sierra Leone to the Short Stirling: the Story of Johnny Smythe
From Sierra Leone to the Short Stirling: the Story of Johnny Smythe

13 June 2024

In this blog, we delve into the pioneering life of Johnny Smythe.

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For Valour: Pilot Officer Andrew Charles Mynarski VC
For Valour: Pilot Officer Andrew Charles Mynarski VC

12 June 2024

On 12 June 1944, P/O Mynarski was an air gunner on Canadian-built Lancaster X.

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For Valour: Flying Officer Leslie Thomas Manser (66542) VC
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.

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For Valour: Flight Lieutenant Cruickshank VC
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.

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For Valour: Wing Commander Guy Penrose Gibson VC
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.

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For Valour: Sergeant Thomas Gray and Flying Officer Donald Garland’s Victoria Crosses
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.

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For Valour: Squadron Leader Leonard Henry Trent VC
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.

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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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From little acorns …
From little acorns …

7 April 2024

It was 50 years ago today that the Historic Aircraft Collection at RAF Cosford opened its doors to the public with its first Sunday opening.

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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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Easter: A Volatile History of Chemistry
Easter: A Volatile History of Chemistry

25 March 2024

Our second guest post from blogger-in-residence Will Jarman went off with a bang!

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A Busy Half Term Visit, Wireless Navigation and Unexpected Details
A Busy Half Term Visit, Wireless Navigation and Unexpected Details

23 February 2024

Our first guest post from blogger-in-residence Will Jarman gives a first-hand look of our half-term activities on a busy February day.

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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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