Archive

Supermarine Spitfire

Designed as a short-range, high-performance interceptor, the Spitfire became a symbol of Britain’s resistance against Germany during the Battle of Britain. Its positive impact on morale and superlative performance in combat have led some to call it “The Airplane that Saved the World.” Known by her wartime serial number, MJ730, the Museum’s Spitfire flew more than 100 combat missions during WWII. Manufactured at Vickers-Armstrong’s Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory, MJ730 was test-flown by the legendary Alex Henshaw on December 10, 1943. She was soon shipped to Casablanca, Morocco aboard the S.S. Leeds City. MJ730 saw her first combat missions with No.417 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force defending the Anzio Beachhead via a base in Marcianise, Italy. Reassigned to No.154 Squadron, Royal Air Force...

P-51 Mustang

Arguably the most iconic American fighter of WWII, the Mustang is a testament to America’s ingenuity and industrial capabilities. North American Aviation designed the Mustang in 1940 to satisfy a British order, the prototype’s first flight taking place just 149 days after contract signing. The P-51 emerged from a set of British specifications, which also nicknamed the new aircraft as the Mustang. The original variant, the Mustang Mk.I, was powered by an Allison V-1710 engine. However, the Allison struggled at higher altitudes, which prompted the British to experiment with the design, swapping out the V-1710 for their more capable Rolls-Royce Merlin. This engine-airframe combination proved to be a game changer, providing the Mustang with a top speed of over 400 mph...

Navy F-18 Super Hornet

U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor

Italian Air Force Frecce Tricolori

U.S. Navy Landing Craft Air Cushion