Defiant is highlight of open cockpits evening in Cosford

The Wolverhampton-built British Battle of Britain fighter aircraft, Boulton Paul Defiant Mk1, will be on show at the event, which will run over two evenings on September 15 and 16.

The Boulton Paul Defiant Mk 1 joined the aircraft display at Cosford only a few months ago.

With just 300 tickets available per evening, organisers are expecting the event will be hugely popular with aviation fans eager to get the first close look inside.

The aircraft is the last surviving example of its kind, built by Boulton Paul at its Pendeford, Wolverhampton factory in 1938.

The two-seat turret fighter operated with mixed fortunes during the Battle of Britain period but found its niche as a night fighter between 1940 and 1942.

The RAF Museum’s example, serial number N1671, was operated by the newly formed No 307 (Polish) Squadron RAF, who became operational in December 1940.

It was painted in its all black night fighter colour scheme the following January and carried out 15 patrols before moving to No 285 (Anti-aircraft Co-Operation) Squadron in June 1942, its last operational user.

Museum curator Al McLean said: “After four decades on display at the RAF Museum London, the sole surviving intact Defiant example of its type was transferred to Cosford for aviation fans in the Midlands to enjoy.

"The new arrival has been added to the list of aircraft open at the September open cockpits evening, making this the first time enthusiasts will be able to view inside the cockpit of this iconic British fighter.”

Also new to the open cockpits evening line-up is a former frontline fighter the Gloster Gladiator 1 – the first enclosed cockpit and last biplane fighter introduced into RAF service.

Although Gladiators saw operational service at home, it was most successfully employed overseas particularly in the defence of Malta.

At the outbreak of the Second World War, four home-based RAF fighter squadrons equipped with Gladiators were sent to France and after just 10 days of hard fighting, all the aircraft had been lost.

In a desperate attempt to provide fighter cover for the "little ships" involved in the Dunkirk evacuation, a detachment of home based aircraft known as 'G' Flight was formed at RAF Manston, Kent.

They were quickly deployed to assist with the rescue of more than 338,000 British and French soldiers trapped on the beaches.

During the early war years, Gladiators were used by the RAF in several other overseas operations including in Norway, Greece, North Africa and the Middle East.

The museum’s example, serial number K8042,was also used for gun trials and experiments, whereby an additional pair was fitted under the top wing, giving a total of six guns instead of the usual four.

Other highlights for visitors on the night will include the Fairey Delta 2 (FD2) – one of only two FD2S ever built, devised in response to Britain trailing behind in supersonic aircraft design during the late 1940s.

Visitors will also be able to view inside the rear fuselage of the Avro Lincoln B2 – never before opened to the public.

Ticket holders will have exclusive after-hours access to the museum from 6pm to 9pm.

There will be 15 aircraft available at the events.

Tickets cost £12.50 and are available at www.rafmuseum.org/cosford