The visit of the B-29 to the UK has been covered in detail (it did make its landfall at St Mawgan) in a recent thread here, and it’s possible psychological/propaganda effects on German air command.
Haven’t heard of the raid though.

Blimey it seems that Malta is a popular destination for forumites, the Malta Aviation Museum at Ta’Qali is a fantastic place to visit and the staff there really do go out of their way to make visitors welcome and to talk to enthusiasts.
The Spitfire restoration by the MHAPG is incredible.

The last Major Service carried out on an RAF aircraft at St Athan was VC-10 K.3 ZA147 F, seen here departing last November.

VC-10 K.3 ZA147 on a frosty morning 25 Nov 10 by jamtey71, on Flickr

VC-10 K.3 ZA147 F rotating for test-flight 25 Nov 10 (51)ed by jamtey71, on Flickr

VC-10 K.3 ZA147 F last major service departure 25 Nov 10 by jamtey71, on Flickr

‘fraid Tony’s wrong, which is why these things should always be credited.
It looks like a scan from the thoroughly researched compendious tome Spitfire – The History by E.Morgan & E.Shacklady.
I would think all the answers to the OPs questions lies in that book.

…and from the IWM, too was this at Hanworth?

General Aircraft Limited were based at Hanworth/Feltham, but unsure if that is where the picture is taken.
It is one of the GAL.56s which were flying-wing research aircraft, three were built, TS507, ‘510, & ‘513. I think the ‘V Wing’ caption in the photo might refer to the ‘V Maximum’ stage swept wing which was flown on TS513.
Sadly the renowned glider pilot Robert Kronfeld was killed while testing TS507 out of Lasham airfield.
If anyone is wondering how the heck GAL’s giant Universal Freighter prototype was flown at Hanworth, it wasn’t, instead being roaded from Hanworth to Brough, servining as the prototype to the Blackburn B-101 Beverley.

Diversity seems a frequently used word in this thread. What exactly are we refering to?

My understanding from earlier posts is that it’s the memories of the creators/pilots of these aircraft that the RAFM in marking by having these aircraft, ie Compers’ work for the RAF. I suppose that because these aircraft are so small and relatively restoration light that they are not a drain on the RAF Museum resources away from the ‘core’ aircraft.

I kind of agree with Nuumaan in that the balance of the exhibits seems about right to me, both in terms of all the airframes they have and the spread across the two main sites.
However there are oddities which are a bit of a quandry for me, the MH-53 and F-111 are great exhibits to look at, and I’m so glad that they are maintained indoors in a national museum, but surely an RAF Sea King, Chinook or service Jaguar would be more relevant.

I also agree with what Black Knight says aswel in that Hendon seems to have declined, for me this seems to have set in from around the time the Beverley was cut up and a move towards making the museum more tourist friendly.
I can see that these catchily titled displays and spaces used for conferences are there rto make more money from the public and businesses, but when areas are regularly cordoned off, and exhibits appear unkempt and dusty, is it a good thing?
It just lacks direction for me, having said that it houses one of the most superb collection of aircraft anywhere, which is the sole reason that it will always be on the revisit list.
As for Cosford, that to me has improved leaps and bounds, and remains my favourite UK air museum, very close to FAAM Yeovilton anyway.
I think both sites should be congratulated for being able to re-arrange themselves and accomodate the many types that have been retired lately, and at the end of the day we are very lucky to have them both, I just hope that common sense prevails and that the millions of pounds being quoted for the ubsurd beacon idea for the London site gets diverted into the exhibits or a major overhaul of the Hendon buildings.

There are two ‘Lightnings’ at Cosford, P.1 WG760, P.1B XG337 going vertical in the CWM

BTW, which obtainable RAF aircraft types (apart from Sea King, Chinook, Jaguar GR) do we think should be displayed in the RAF museums that aren’t?

I thought he was put away for violating the rules for the “Wot Plane” thread.

:D:D

As Tangmere says, the chap was not a forum member, perhaps the rather sensationalist thread title can be adjusted?