Online Exhibitions
The following exhibitions explore Battle of Britain inspired themes such as freedom, liberty, diversity, technological development and the sacrifices that are sometimes required to defend our beliefs and ideals.
For Your Freedom and Ours: The Polish Air Force in the Second World War
During the Second World War, the Royal Air Force welcomed into its ranks thousands of exiles from German-occupied Poland. Polish personnel served in all RAF commands and in all theatres, and earned a reputation for exceptional courage and devotion to duty. Tragically, though the Poles fought so hard to liberate Europe from tyranny, it would be many years before their own country would again be free.
A History of the Battle of Britain
In this online exhibition we examine the economic factors and political forces that lead to the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939 and the Battle of Britain in 1940; before examining the phases of the Battle and its importance in preventing the invasion of the United Kingdom by German Forces in the autumn of that year.
We also examine the social and emotional impact of this period on the general populace of Europe and the combatants of both sides whilst investigating the development of new aviation tactics, aircraft and technologies - such as, Britain's new hope against aerial bombardment, RADAR.
Douglas Bader: Fighter, Pilot
Douglas Robert Steuart Bader was born on 21st February 1910. At the age of thirteen, Douglas became interested in becoming a pilot in the Royal Air Force and was awarded one of six King's Cadetships to the Royal Air Force College at Cranwell in 1928.
On graduating from Cranwell he joined No 23 Squadron as a member of the Squadron Aerobatic Team before losing both his legs in a crash on 14th December 1931 - the left below the knee, the right just above. In typical Bader style his diary notes "Crashed slow-rolling near the ground. Bad show."
Invalided out of the RAF because of his injuries the outbreak of World War II and the subsequent shortage of experienced pilots gave Bader the opportunity to do what he loved the most - flying in the RAF. Swiftly promoted to command 242 Squadron Bader fought in the Battle of Britain throughout 1940 before bailing out over enemy territory in 1941 and being imprisoned in Colditz after several escape attempts from various Prisoner of War Camps.
In this online exhibition we examine the man, his achievements and his legacy as a campaigner for disabled rights, through the on-going work of the Douglas Bader Foundation and a podcast about Bader's life, narrated by Sir Richard Branson.
Lest We Forget
In Lest We Forget, we examine the sacrifices made during human conflict and explore the invaluable work of those agencies and support networks that bring aid and comfort to those RAF families during their time of bereavement.
We also explore the importance of Remembrance through podcasts and celebrate the life of Henry Allingham - much beloved, and missed, by his many friends within the Museum.
As part of this exhibition, family members of departed RAF Service Personnel are invited, should they wish to, to commemorate their loved ones by placing a short message and a favourite photograph in Lest We Forget's electronic Book of Remembrance.
Americans in the Royal Air Force
In this exhibition we honour those American pilots who joined the Royal Air Force to defend the United Kingdom during the First and Second World Wars - men such as Olympian and Playboy Billy Fiske "an American Citizen, who died that England might live" and women such as Jackie Cochrane who were instrumental in sourcing American female pilots for the Air Transport Auxiliary.
As part of this exhibition we also invite any Americans who have served in or participated in exercises with the RAF to record for posterity their own stories of through this exhibition's interactive forum; and ask all our online visitors, if they have stories about American RAF personnel that they would like to recount, to share them with our audience.
Freedom & Liberty
This exhibition focuses on the ways in which the RAF, during the Second World War, defended the freedom and liberties of British citizens and helped to liberate people in occupied countries. It has also highlighted how the men and women, who served in the RAF and WAAF surrendered some personal freedom but gained certain liberties as a result of their service.
Battle of Britain Class Locomotive Plates
The RAF Museum holds a collection of nameplates for steam locomotives, named after famous airfields, aircraft and squadrons as a tribute to the part they played in The Battle of Britain.
Battle of Britain Heritage Walk
The Battle of Britain Heritage Walk is a permanent reminder of the debt that we owe to the pilots, ground-crew and operations staff who defended freedom and liberty in the dark days of 1940.
