Strike Hard, Strike Sure: Bomber Command 1939–1945

Marking the 80th anniversary of the famous ‘Dambusters’ raid, a new permanent exhibition, ‘Strike Hard, Strike Sure: Bomber Command 1939–1945’ is now open in Hangar 5.

Visitors are invited to explore and engage with stories of the crew, technology and raids that contributed to Allied victory. As well as our iconic aircraft, objects taken from our archives reveal the real stories of the real people involved.

At the centre of the exhibition is the Avro Lancaster 'S-for-Sugar' which flew 137 sorties during the war. This is an extraordinary amount as 20 missions was the average to be expected from a Lancaster. Also on display are the Fairey Battle, Handley-Page Halifax, Airspeed Oxford, Consolidated Liberator, Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, and a tail section of the Short Stirling.

People stories are at the heart of the Bomber Command storytelling. Men and women from across the world, on the ground and in the air, played a part. Throughout the exhibition, silhouettes depict the stories of individuals who played crucial roles, such as engineer Barnes Wallis or the head of Bomber Command, Arthur Harris.