Milestones of Flight Discovery Sheet This hall celebrates important developments in the history of flight. It was opened on 17 th December 2003 to mark a very important anniversary. What historic event took place on this date 100 years earlier? Head upstairs to take a closer look at the Blériot XI and the Eurofighter Typhoon. Compare these two planes to see just how far aircraft have developed in the last 100 years. Get a bird s eye view of our aircraft from the balcony. The computer kiosks let you find out more information, view film clips, and test your knowledge of each plane. Downstairs you will find a timeline which marks important events in aviation from 1903-2003. The yellow line marks the actual length of the Wright Brothers first flight! Can you find out what year the first ever British jet-propelled aircraft flew? 1941 What was the name of the first woman to gain RAF pilot s wings in 1952? Jean Lennox Bird Take a closer look at the silver plane on the platform. The P-51 Mustang was one of the greatest fighters of World War Two. Planes were often marked in the pilot s colours out of remembrance and respect. This plane, with its Donald Duck emblem, is painted in the colours of Captain Donald Emerson a 21 year old American pilot who was killed on Christmas Day 1944. As you move around the museum see what other designs you can spot on the aircraft.
Bomber Command Hall Can you find the magnificent Lancaster Bomber? It played an important role in the bombing campaigns of the Second World War. How many crew members flew in this aircraft? 7 What was the average age of the crew in a Bomber like this? 18 20 22 24 What words would you use to describe the Lancaster?.. Lancaster Bombers were used in a very famous raid! Head to the Dam Busters area and watch the film to find out more. (Film lasts 10 minutes). Nearby is the wreckage of another 4 engine bomber. Take a closer look at the Halifax. This plane is in a very different condition to the Lancaster. Describe what this plane looks like. Battered and broken, rusty, old etc This Halifax was shot down in April 1942 while taking part in an important raid. What was the target? The German Battleship Tirpitz Most aeroplanes in the museum have been restored to the condition they would have been in when new, but this one isn t. What do you think of this? Does the wreck of an aeroplane teach us anything about the Second World War?... The danger,horror and casualties of war etc...
Historic Hangars Head to the area called Wings over Water. See if you can spot the Lockheed Hudson. This plane was used for search and rescue missions during the Second World War. Beside it is the lifeboat it would have carried. If you were in this lifeboat what emergency supplies would you need. Choose four things from the list of supplies below that you think are the most important. Discuss it with your class mates/friends to see if they have different ideas. Circle your answers and remember these are emergency supplies! Compass Radio Sweets Water Mobile phone Food Torch Flare Umbrella First Aid Kit Many people from countries other than Britain fought bravely in the RAF. Find the Diversity in the Royal Air Force display. List the different countries whose citizens joined the RAF during the Second World War Poland, France, Lithuania, Canada, South Africa, India, Nigeria, Czechoslovakia, Norway, The West Indies Read the heroic story of Assistant Section Officer Noor Inayat-Khan. What medal was she awarded for her bravery? The George Cross You might have noticed that lots of our aircraft have designs painted on them. Can you find a plane with a shark s mouth on the nose? The Kittyhawk is an American Aircraft from the Second World War, but where did this design originally come from? German and allied aircraft painted their planes this way during the First World War. Why do you think this plane was painted in this way?
Battle of Britain Hall Head to our Battle of Britain displays to find out about life at home during the War. Can you see the Anderson Shelter? What were these shelters made from? Corrugated Metal What do you think it would it have been like to spend the night in an Anderson Shelter? For children living in the cities life was about to change dramatically Look at the children in the waiting room. These children aren t off on holiday. Why are they being sent away? Air raids were focused on large towns and cities so to protect children from air raids, they were evacuated to the relative safety of the countryside. List 3 things the children are carrying with them. 1) Gas mask boxes 2) Suitcase 3) Evacuee label Evacuees were allowed to bring with them only a small suitcase with just a few belongings. What would you miss most if you were being evacuated today? Many children returned to their families when the feared bombing raids did not come, but in the Autumn of 1940 their worst fears were to be realised, the Blitz began Take a look at the street scene. Lots of civilians volunteered to help with the war effort. There are 6 helpers in this scene. Which job do you think was the most dangerous and why?.. Can you find the grey fire engine? How has the fire engine been adapted for use in the blackout? Head Lamp Covers have been fitted to the head lamps. Britain protected itself from air attack in lots of different ways. Can you spot a searchlight an anti-aircraft gun a Radar receiver
In this hall you will find two very famous Battle of Britain aircraft, a Spitfire and a Hurricane. Both played very important roles in the Battle of Britain; See what you can find out Spitfires and Hurricanes were both powered by Rolls - Royce Merlin engines. At the time of the Battle Britain they each had 8. machine guns. More Hurricanes than Spitfires took part in the battle, but the Spitfire is more famous. The maximum speed of the Spitfire is 570 km/h. The Battle of Britain took place in 1940 Look closely at the different symbols painted on the aircraft. Choose one symbol from an Axis forces aircraft and one from an Allied forces aircraft and try drawing them below.