An older generation of Airfix model builders might remember this aircraft was the decal set provided with the original 1960 Defiant kit. The actual aircraft was earmarked for conversion to a target tug by Reid and Sigrist but the work may not have been done before it was written off. Photo from: Imperial War Museums

A founder member of the RAF Museum when it opened in September 1972 and seen here just over a year later with Wellington t.10 MF628 behind. Allocated 8370M. Later had 307 Sqn codes "EW-D" applied. To RAF Museum Cosford November 2016. Current in 2022. The Wellington also transferred to Cosford, in July 2010, where it has undergone a complete restoration forming the centrepiece of a new Bomber Command exhibition in May 2023.

On display at RAF Museum Hendon. The first unit to receive the Defiant was No. 264 (Madras Presidency) Sqn, which put up its turret fighters over The Hague and Dunkirk in May 1940. Unsuitable against the Bf-109, the Defiant was switched to the nightfighter role during the Blitz. This aircraft is the 179th production example and sole survivor of 1,064 built. It was flown by the third Defiant unit, No. 307 (Lvov) Sqn. Defiants saw further use as ECM aircraft to jam Freya radars, as ASR aircraft and target tugs.

Shortly before the Battle of Britain, American photographer William Vandivert photographed Defiants of No 264 Sqn in 'Anglia'. L7025 had arrived with the squadron on 30 May. It was shot down on 26 August. Photo by: William Vandivert / Life

Part-way through reassembly after relocation from Hendon.

This Defiant was operated by No 307 (Polish) Squadron RAF from September 1940 and is the only complete example extant, being fortunately earmarked for preservation as early as September 1944. Photographed here after having returned to RAF Museum Hendon following a complete restoration by the Medway Aircraft Preservation Society at Rochester Airport It was reassembled for display in early 2013.

Defiant 1 two-seat night fighter with rear gun turret displayed at the RAF's 50th Anniversary show at RAF Abingdon in 1968. Now exhibited at the RAF Museum at Hendon.

The Defiant, carrying all its four guns in its dorsal turret, initially fought as a day fighter in the Battle of Britain but was soon shifted to the night fighter role.

The only surviving example of 1064 Defiants built, flying with 307 (Polish) Sqn in WWII coded 'EW-D' (now appears on the aircraft at Hendon) and later with 153 and 285 Sqn. The Merlin-powered Defiant was initially successful but once German pilots became aware of the rear and upward firepower, it was severely hampered by the extra weight of the turret. Put aside for preservation as long ago as 1944, first displayed at St Athan in 1960 and moved to the RAF Museum in 1971, back in night-fighter black finish