Built in 1944 as a Tempest Mk.V, this aircraft was test flown by test pilot Neville Duke after conversion for target tug duties in 1950. It served at 233 OCU, Pembrey, till 1955 when Meteors took over in the target towing role. NV778 was ferried for storage at Aston Down in July that year, when the RAF retired its last Tempests. In 1958 it was reconstructed to display standard from the remains of several aircraft lying at Shoeburyness ranges, 15% of the parts coming from other aircraft. Secured by the RAFM in 1998, it was placed on show at Hendon in 2003 and until recently hung from the roof.

Exhibited in the Milestones of Flight Collection at the Royal Air Force Museum, Hendon.

This is a genuine 1918 built machine and possibly ex OO-UPP. It is one of only six survivors of the type worldwide

Exhibited in the Milestones of Flight Collection at the Royal Air Force Museum, Hendon. Previously G-ABMR

The Belvedere was the Royal Air Force's first twin engined, twin rotor helicopter to enter service. This particular Belvederes was one of six crated for transfer by cargo ship to Singapore where they joined 66 Sqdn at RAF Seletar in June 1962. She gave loyal service both in Singapore and Aden before being retired upon 66 Sqdn's disbandment in March 69. XG 474 was then shipped to the UK for preservation arriving at the RAF Museum in March 71.

This Emil was built in Leipzig in Sept. 1940. On 27th Nov. it took off from Peuplingues flown by 21-year-old Leutnant Wolfgang Teumer of 2/JG51 on a sweep over Kent. At 1550 h he was engaged by Flt Lt George P Christie DFC, flying a 66 Sqdn Spitfire from Biggin Hill, who was able to damage the radiator forcing Lt. Teumer to belly land at Manston. Repaired using parts from other 109s and given the RAF serial DG200 she underwent extensive performance trials. Eventually donated to the RAF Museum in 1978.

Ex RAF maintenance serial 7930M.

This Avro Rota was one of twelve built by Avro in 1934 and 1935. The type was a licence built Cierva C-30A and it was intended for Army co-operation but they were later used for calibration of coastal radar for which their low flying speed made them eminently suitable

Exhibited in the Milestones of Flight Collection at the Royal Air Force Museum, Hendon.

Of the 1146 German aircraft found on Danish airfields after the German surrender 37 were Bf-110 variants. This aircraft was recovered from Grove (now Karup) airfield after serving with 1/NJG 3 tasked with the night defence of Denmark and Northern Germany and has been fitted with a FuG220b Liechtenstein SN-2 radar. Due to the wonderful foresight of someone in the Air Ministry this aircraft was selected as early as May 46 for long term preservation and ended up at the RAF Museum in 1978.

This Defiant was operated by No 307 (Polish) Squadron RAF from September 1940 and is the only complete example extant, being fortunately earmarked for preservation as early as September 1944. Photographed here after having returned to RAF Museum Hendon following a complete restoration by the Medway Aircraft Preservation Society at Rochester Airport It was reassembled for display in early 2013.

The Sunderlands design was so good that it is one of the very few pre-WWII types to remain in service with the RAF long after the end of that conflict. The type also participated in the Berlin Airlift and the Korean War with the last examples being scrapped at Seletar in 1959. After her RAF service this particular aircraft served for four years with the Aeronavale (51-56) before being donated to the Short Sunderland Trust for preservation.

Previously XF426 with the RAF, this well travelled Hunter now spends her retirement on poles outside the super RAF Museum at Hendon.