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List of aircraft at the Royal Air Force Museum Midlands facts for kids

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The Royal Air Force Museum Midlands (also known as RAF Museum Cosford) is a fantastic place to explore the history of flight! This museum is home to a huge collection of aircraft, from early planes to powerful jets. This list will tell you about some of the amazing aircraft you can see there.

Aircraft Collection

Outdoor Display

G-AOVF Britannia 312F RAF Museum Cosford, UK Painted in false RAF markings as XM497
Bristol Britannia on external display

Some of the biggest and most impressive aircraft are displayed outside. Here are a few you can spot:

  • Bristol Britannia 312 (XM497): This large plane was once a civilian aircraft. It was bought by the museum and painted to look like an RAF transport plane.
  • Consolidated PBY-6A Catalina (L-866): This is a special type of aircraft called a "flying boat," meaning it can land on water! This one belonged to the Royal Danish Air Force.
  • Hawker Siddeley Nimrod R.1 (XV249): A large reconnaissance aircraft, used for gathering information.
  • Lockheed C-130K Hercules C.3 (XV202): The Hercules is a famous military transport plane, known for being able to carry heavy loads.
  • Vickers VC10 (XR808): A large, four-engine jet airliner that was also used by the RAF for transport and air-to-air refueling.

Test Flight Hangar

TSR2-Cosford-2007
The BAC TSR-2 on display in the Test Flight hangar

This hangar is all about experimental aircraft and planes that pushed the boundaries of flight.

  • BAC TSR-2 (XR220): This was a very advanced British bomber and reconnaissance aircraft. Only two complete ones exist today!
  • Boulton Paul Defiant I (N1671): A unique British fighter plane from World War II. It had its main guns in a rotating turret behind the pilot.
  • Bristol M.1c replica (C4994): A replica of an early, fast monoplane from World War I.
  • British Aerospace EAP (ZF534): This was an experimental aircraft that helped develop technologies for modern fighter jets like the Eurofighter Typhoon.
  • Fairey Delta 2 (WG777): This plane was designed to test high-speed flight and broke the world air speed record in 1956!
  • Gloster Gladiator I (K8042): A biplane fighter, meaning it has two main wings. It was one of the last biplane fighters used by the RAF.
  • Hawker Hurricane IIc (LF738): A famous British fighter from World War II, known for its role in the Battle of Britain.
  • Messerschmitt Bf 109G-2/Trop (10639): A German fighter plane, a main opponent of the Spitfire and Hurricane during World War II. This one was used in North Africa.
  • Sopwith Pup (N5182): A small, agile biplane fighter used by the Royal Naval Air Service during World War I.
  • Supermarine Spitfire I (K9942): One of the most iconic British fighter planes of World War II, famous for its elegant design and performance.

War in the Air Hangar

HawkerHurricaneCosford
A Hawker Hurricane II on display in the War in the Air hangar. A selection of armament used by the type is also displayed.
Fa330-100503-Cosford
Focke Achgelis FA330

This hangar tells the story of air power during wartime, especially focusing on World War II.

  • Avro Lincoln B.2/4A (RF398): A large British bomber, developed from the famous Lancaster.
  • Bristol Bolingbroke IV (L8756): This aircraft has been restored to look like a Bristol Blenheim, a light bomber used by the RAF early in World War II.
  • de Havilland Mosquito TT.35 (TA639): Known as the "Wooden Wonder," the Mosquito was a fast and versatile aircraft made mostly of wood.
  • Fieseler Fi 156-C7 Storch (VP746): A German liaison aircraft, famous for its ability to take off and land in very short distances.
  • Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-8 (733685): A powerful German fighter plane from World War II.
  • Junkers Ju 88R-1 (360043): This German bomber was captured by the British when its pilot landed in Scotland by mistake. It helped the Allies understand German radar technology.
  • Messerschmitt Me 262A-2A (VK893): The world's first operational jet-powered fighter aircraft, used by Germany in World War II.
  • Vickers Wellington T.10 (MF628): A British bomber from World War II, easily recognized by its unique geodetic (lattice-like) structure.

National Cold War Exhibition

Mig15Cosford
The Mikoyan MiG-15bis on display in the National Cold War Exhibition
Cosford- Royal Air Force Museum- English Electric Lightning suspended from the ceiling (geograph 5765866)
Electric Lightning F.1 serial XG337 on display

This exhibition focuses on the Cold War era, a period of tension between the Western and Eastern blocs.

  • Avro York C.1 (TS798): A British transport aircraft, used during the Berlin Airlift to deliver supplies.
  • Canadair Sabre F.4 (XB812): A Canadian-built version of the American F-86 Sabre, a famous early jet fighter.
  • Douglas Dakota C.4 (KN645): Another name for the C-47 Skytrain, a widely used transport aircraft during and after World War II.
  • English Electric Lightning F.1/P.1B (XG337): A super-fast British interceptor jet, known for its incredible climb rate.
  • General Dynamics F-111F-CF (74-0177): A powerful American fighter-bomber with swing wings, meaning its wings could change angle during flight.
  • Handley Page Victor K.2 (XH672): One of the "V-bombers," a series of British nuclear bombers from the Cold War. This one was named "Maid Marion."
  • Hawker Siddeley Vulcan B.2 (XM598): Another famous "V-bomber." This specific aircraft was part of Operation Black Buck during the Falklands War in 1982.
  • Mikoyan MiG-15bis (1120): A famous Soviet jet fighter, widely used during the Korean War. This one belonged to the Polish Air Force.
  • Mikoyan MiG-21PF (503): Another Soviet jet fighter, known for its delta wing design and high speed. This one was from the Hungarian Air Force.
  • Short Belfast C.1 (XR371): A very large British military transport aircraft.
  • Sikorsky MH-53J Pave Low III (68-8284): A large American special operations helicopter.
  • Vickers Valiant B.1 (XD818): The first of the "V-bombers" to enter service. This plane was involved in dropping the first British hydrogen bomb in 1957.

Hangar 1

CosfordHangar1
The Armstrong Whitworth Argosy C1 on display in Hangar 1

This hangar features a mix of aircraft, including trainers, transport planes, and some unique designs.

  • Armstrong Whitworth Argosy T.1 (XP411): A British transport aircraft with a distinctive "double-boom" tail.
  • Avro Anson C.19 Series 1 (TX214): A versatile British aircraft used for training, transport, and reconnaissance.
  • Boeing CH-47 Chinook HC.6A (ZA718): A large, powerful helicopter known for its two rotors and ability to carry heavy loads. This one, named "Bravo November," is famous for its service in the Falklands War.
  • de Havilland Chipmunk T.10 (WP912): A popular British training aircraft. This particular one was used by Prince Philip for flight training!
  • de Havilland Comet 1XB (G-APAS): The world's first commercial jet airliner.
  • Hawker Siddeley Harrier GR.3 (XZ997): A famous British "jump jet" that can take off and land vertically. It also saw action in the Falklands War.
  • Hunting Percival Jet Provost T.1 (XD674): An early British jet trainer aircraft.
  • Vickers Varsity T.1 (WL679): A large British training aircraft used for teaching pilots how to fly multi-engine planes.
  • Westland Wessex HC.2 (XR525): A British military helicopter used for transport and search and rescue.

Images for kids

  • Auster AOP.6 WE600 RAF Museum Cosford.jpg

    Auster T.7 Antarctic

  • Avro 707C WZ744 RAF Museum Cosford.jpg

    Avro 707C

  • BAC Jet Provost T.5A XW418 RAF Museum Cosford.jpg

    BAC Jet Provost T.5A

  • Boulton Paul Sea Balliol T.21 WL732 RAF Museum Cosford.jpg

    Boulton Paul Sea Balliol T.21

  • Bristol Sycamore HR.14 XJ918 RAF Museum Cosford.jpg

    Bristol Sycamore HR.14

  • De Havilland Vampire FB.5 WA346 RAF Museum Cosford.jpg

    De Havilland Vampire FB.5

  • De Havilland Venom FB.4 J1704 RAF Museum Cosford.jpg

    de Havilland Venom FB.4

  • FMA IA 58 Pucará ZD485 RAF Museum Cosford.jpg

    FMA IA 58 Pucará

  • Folland Gnat F.1 XK724 RAF Museum Cosford.jpg

    Folland Gnat F.1

  • Gloster Meteor T.7 (Modified) WA634 RAF Museum Cosford.jpg

    Gloster Meteor T.7 (Modified)

  • Focke-Achgelis Fa 330 100503 RAF Museum Cosford.jpg

    Focke Achgelis FA330

  • Bristol 188 XF926 RAF Museum Cosford.jpg

    Bristol 188

  • CASA 352L (Junkers Ju 52) G-AFAP RAF Museum Cosford.jpg

    CASA 352L (Junkers Ju 52)

  • North American P-51D Mustang 44-73415 RAF Museum Cosford.jpg

    North American P-51D Mustang

  • Panavia Tornado P02 XX946 RAF Museum Cosford.jpg

    Panavia Tornado P02

  • Westland Dragonfly HR.3 G-AJOV RAF Museum Cosford.jpg

    Westland Dragonfly HR.3

  • English Electric P.1A WG760 RAF Museum Cosford.jpg

    English Electric P.1A

  • Short SB.5 WG768 RAF Museum Cosford.jpg

    Short SB.5

  • Kawasaki Ki-100-1b 16336 RAF Museum Cosford.jpg

    Kawasaki Ki-100-1b

  • Mitsubishi Ki-46 'Dinah' 5439 RAF Museum Cosford.jpg

    Mitsubishi Ki-46 'Dinah'

  • Messerschmitt Me 163B-1a Komet 191614 RAF Museum Cosford.jpg

    Messerschmitt Me 163B-1a Komet

  • Yokosuka MXY-7 Ohka n/a RAF Museum Cosford.jpg

    Yokosuka MXY-7 Ohka

See also

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List of aircraft at the Royal Air Force Museum Midlands Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.