| Aircraft | |
|---|---|
| Registration / Serial: | L5343 |
| Aircraft Original Type: | Fairey Battle |
| Aircraft Generic Type: | Fairey Battle |
| Aircraft Version: | Fairey Battle Mk.I |
| C/n (msn): | [ L5343 ] |
| Operator Titles: | UK - Air Force |
| Location | |
|---|---|
| City / Airport: | Hendon (closed)Map |
| Region / Country: | England, United Kingdom |
| Airport Codes: | None |
| Collection: | RAF Museum Hendon / London |
| Photo Date: | 23 June 2013 |
| Photo by: | Arjun Sarup |
| Photo ID: | 274344 |
| Photo Comment |
|---|
|
On display at RAFM Hendon. This aircraft has been painstakingly reconstructed from remains of L5343 that had crashed in Iceland, and from L5340 disposed of by the RCAF. The Battle entered RAF service in May 1937 with No. 63 Sqn. These obsolete aircraft were decimated over France by the Luftwaffe. The type is notable for scoring RAF's first aerial victory in Sept. 1939 and for the award of its first VCs to F/O D.E. Garland and Sgt T. Gray posthumously for the attack on Veldwezelt bridge on 12 May 40. This photo is copyright © Arjun Sarup, and may not be used or published in any way without permission. It was added on 28 August 2020, and has since been viewed 307 times. |