This thread has gotten me round to having a look at the complete lists of aircraft held by the RAFM at both Hendon and Cosford. Clearly there is a “hard core” of aircraft which have a totally Royal Air Force pedigree i.e. the three V bombers.
However there are many aircraft that find their way into the collection by other routes. For example most of the “research and development” aircraft at Cosford while wearing military serials did not serve with the RAF but rather with manufacturers or development agencies. Several very important aircraft are included on that basis, TSR2 to name but one.
Two other groups spring to mind, aircraft of our adversaries and aircraft of our allies. Both these groups contain significant, important and very viewable aircraft but few with a direct RAF connection. Personal favourites of mine are the Stranraer and the Catalina. The Stranraer of course has connections to the Spitfire via R.E.Mitchell. It should also be remembered that it is unlikely we would have had Stranraer had it not been operated for many years by a civilian company.
The RAFM collection policy has changed a bit over the years – I recall at one point it was calling itself ‘The RAF Museum of Aviation History’ – I think Cosford was a separate museum until the two were combined into one entity, so it’s collection developed in a different way (The R&D stuff for example).
The Stranraer, although not an RAF example, is representative of the type in RAF service, as is the Catalina. A later Director stated that he would only obtain aircraft with a proven RAF heritage (I think at the time the ultimate destination of the Finnish Buffalo was being discussed).
These days it seems to be ‘aircraft related to the RAF and it’s people and other historic aircraft’
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