Research & Development Collection
Each advance in aircraft technology comes from a great deal of trial and error. Here you see the aircraft that were built to test a new theory or line of research. Most of these exhibits were produced in secrecy, often utilising components borrowed from other types. These were the machines that helped Britain open new frontiers of flight.
Before the advent of computers and sophisticated simulators, highly skilled pilots had to test fly these aircraft. Each in its own way reached into hitherto unknown realms of risk, often with tragic results but, eventually led to well known successes like the Hunter, Victor, Vulcan, Lightning and Concorde.
Test Pilot: Alex Henshaw
During the Second World War, Castle Bromwich Aeroplane Factory produced more then 11,500 Spitfires. Alex Henshaw and his team of pilots test flew each aircraft. The work of test pilots at Cosford was crucial in meeting the operational demands of the RAF during the War.