Welcome to Navigator Online Collections
Navigator contains information and in some cases images relating to items in the RAF Museum collection. While it is not a complete catalogue, it does offer you an opportunity to search and discover more about the variety of objects we hold. To help you there are listings of current subject areas and updates in What's New. To introduce our collections we have compiled a small selection of highlights below...
Charles Brown Photographs
Charles Edward Brown (1896-1982) was an active aviation photographer from the 1920's to the 1960's. His collection of aviation photographs is one of the largest compiled by a single photographer and he is reknowned as one of the finest air-to-air photographers.
Having begun his career as a society photographer he gradually produced more and more work for the Admiralty, War Office, Air Ministry and aircraft manufacturers until this became his main body of work. He retired in 1965 and the RAF Museum acquired his collection in 1979.
So far the Museum has catalogued over 16,000 Charles Brown photographs, mainly 4x5in glass plate negatives, from the collection and all these records and images can now be found on Navigator. Here can be found a sample from the period 1955-1965.
A proportion of the photographs, including colour images, have also been made available to purchase at http://www.rafmuseumphotos.com/
USAAF Equipment
During the Second World War the American aircraft industry became the largest single industry in the world. Recognising the importance of air power and the need to invest in aircraft and aircraft component research, development and production, they contributed to major technology advances in areas such as electronics, including Radar and Sonar communication.
This, together with advances in design for navigation and reconnaissance devices, played a vital role in improving the performance and efficiency of Allied aircraft.
Here is a selection of just some of the pieces of equipment in our collection that were used by the United States Army Air Force (1941-1947).
Medals
The Museum's medal collection comprises a large variety of orders, decorations, campaign medals, long service medals, commemorative medals and international awards.
These range from the Air Crew Europe Star, the rarest of the British Second World War campaign medals, awarded for a two month period of operational flying from United Kingdom bases over Europe between 3 September 1939 and 4 June 1944, to the Order of Lenin, the highest decoration awarded by the former Soviet Union.
Reconnaissance Photographs
The RAF Museum holds a substantial collection of photographic reconnaissance material.
Photo reconnaissance has played and continues to play a vital role in obtaining military intelligence. Within hours of a reconnaissance sortie, films could be developed, printed and interpreted. Targets could be more accurately mapped and, after bombing operations, assessment of damage could be made.
Shown here is a selection of photographs, taken in peace and war, before, during and after air operations.
Vehicles
Various types of vehicle have been used by the RAF during its history.
Here is a selection of just some of the many and varied vehicles in our collection, which includes armoured cars, tractors, refuelling tankers, motorcycles, a rescue launch, a barrage balloon winch lorry and a locomotive.
Aircraft
The RAF Museum holds one of the largest and most significant collections of aircraft in the world. Over 250 aircraft are preserved by the Museum.
The selection shown here gives you an idea of our diverse collection, which includes fighters, bombers, transport aircraft, monoplanes, biplanes, triplanes, seaplanes, flying boats, gyroplanes and helicopters.
