This combat report of Lt Frederick Dudley Travers details his encounter with an enemy aircraft whilst returning from an escort mission. He engages with the 'E.A.' and manages to force the aircraft to crash land, whereupon the enemy pilot manages to ...
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Diagram of a British Constantinescu (CC) Gear
Perhaps the single most important technological development of the air war was the interrupter gear (also known as synchronisation gear). This enabled a machine gun to fire through the rotating propeller of an aircraft without hitting the bladesAfter ...
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Diary of Captain Mapplebeck (first RFC reconnaissance sortie)
The diary of Captain Gilbert William Mapplebeck, DSO, which dates from 1914-1915, describes the first reconnaissance sortie by the Royal Flying Corps on 19 August 1914. Mapplebeck was killed flying a Morane aircraft in August 1915.
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Dowding's lucky control column
The bullet which made the hole in this aircraft control column came close to ending the life of Hugh Dowding, who would later lead Fighter Command to victory during the Battle of Britain. The control column was used to control the movement of the aircraft in flight.
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Excerpt from the wartime film 'Tails Up France'
A section of the film 'Tails Up France' entitled 'The life of an RAF officer in France' shows how airmen were trained and how they, and the aircraft, worked.
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Experimental gun mounting
This is a photograph of a Lewis Gun mounted on a Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.2d aircraft. This rather precarious mounting allowed for forward firing over the top of the aircraft's propeller arc.
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Fabric from a Gotha bomber
From one of a force of 18 Gotha and one Giant bombers which reached England on the night of 19 May 1918. Six Gothas were shot down by guns and aircraft during the raid.
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First World War medals of Flight Sergeant Tealby
These medals were awarded to Frank R.V. Tealby who was a technical illustrator for the Royal Flying Corps and whose drawings appear in many sets of rigging notes. The British War Medal 1914-1918 was awarded to servicemen, in any role, who had to leave their homeland within the British Empire during the war. ...
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Flechette anti-personnel dart
Meaning 'little arrow', the French term Flechette was the name given to a range of projectiles dropped from aircraft. Some were designed for engagement with enemy airships, while others were designed for anti-personnel purposes over enemy lines, particularly in the early years of the war. ...
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Flying helmet (German Comb & Turban type)
The Comb & Turban type flying helmet developed by the German Army Air Service features a thick lining and is padded around the head for extra protection.
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Flying helmet (German private purchase)
Officer's private purchase flying helmet, German Army Air Service, used by Manfred von Richthofen (The Red Baron).
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Flying helmet (RAF Mk. I)
RAF Mk. I flying helmet with sheep skin lining. Sheepskin and fur commonly adorned flying clothing to add extra warmth.
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Flying mask (RFC Pattern 1915)
The RFC leather Pattern 1915 flying mask was an early mask designed to protect the face from wind burn.
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Fokker D VII
The Fokker D VII was a German fighter aircraft flown in the closing months of the war. Constructed with a welded-steel tube fuselage, it incorporated a number of design features suggested by Baron Manfred von Richthofen (The Red Baron). ...
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Fums up' lucky charm
The 'Fums up' lucky charm was a popular trinket given to servicemen, usually by their sweethearts. The head is made from wood so its owner would 'touch wood' for good luck.
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German aircraft rudder
This rudder from a German aircraft displays the Iron Cross (Eisernes Kreuz) insignia used by the German military. It is believed to be from Pfalz D III 1370/17 flown by Vizefeldwebel Hecht of Jasta 10.
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German incendiary bomb (type unknown)
This is an incendiary bomb of a type dropped by the German Naval Air Service on Britain during the war.
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German-issue prisoner of war boot
This is a German Army issue boot, worn by prisoner of war in German captivity. It a is a basic lace-up boot made from heavy duty canvas and leather with a wooden sole.
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Glengarry cap
Many of the officers serving in the Royal Flying Corps were attached from other army regiments such as the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, who wore this cap and badge.
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Gosport tube
The Gosport Tube revolutionised pilot training. It was invented in 1917 by Robert Raymond Smith-Barry at his School of Special Flying in Gosport. It was a speaking tube designed to enable flight instructors to give instructions to their students while flying.
