In November 2012 we asked the public to vote on a selection of First World War objects that they would like to see displayed in our 'First World War in the Air' exhibition which we will be unveiling to the public later this year. This vote ran until June 2013 and people were able to make their selections by voting on our Pinterest and Flickr Channels. By the time the voting had finished we received over 52,000 votes from the public. For which we would like to thank everyone who took the time to champion an object.
Below you can now view the Top 10 objects that people said that they would like us to put on display. Our First World War in the Air exhibition, is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and BAE Systems.
Dogs regularly appear in photographs of air and ground crews. This dog jacket was worn by a Yorkshire Terrier belonging to an officer of the Royal Flying Corps who had an RFC tailor make it especially. It is adorned with RFC Pilot's wings, Captain and Observer badges.
In addition to anti-airship operations conducted by the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Naval Air Service (flights, balloon aprons and artillery) this anti-airship incendiary device was developed by the Royal Laboratory, Woolwich. The spikes were intended to pierce and lodge in the airship's fabric covering and gas bags.
The 'Fums up' lucky charm was a popular trinket given to servicemen, usually by their sweethearts. The head is made from wood so its owner would "touch wood" for good luck.
This map outlines the integrated reporting and command system used in the event of a Zeppelin air raid over London. It was a forerunner of the Dowding system used in 1940 during the Battle of Britain.
This rudder from a German aircraft displays the Iron Cross (Eisernes Kreuz) insignia used by the German military. It is believed to be from Pfalz D III 1370/17 flown by Vizefeldwebel Hecht of Jasta 10.
This is a German grave marker for 2nd Lieutenant Arthur James Fisher, RFC who was shot down in his B.E.12 aircraft by Manfred von Richthofen (The Red Baron) whilst flying with 21 Squadron. This marker would have been replaced with a gravestone at the end of the war by the Imperial War Graves Commission, now the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Lieutenant Frank H. McNamara of 67 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps. McNamara was awarded the Victoria Cross for rescuing a pilot from the ground, despite being on return from a bombing raid where he had just been wounded. The whole British Empire was called to arms when Britain declared war. Large number of Australian, New Zealand, Canadian and Indian troops were sent to fight in Europe.
The Gosport Tube revolutionised pilot training. It was invented in 1917 by Robert Raymond Smith-Barry at his School of Special Flying in Gosport. It was a speaking tube designed to enable flight instructors to give instructions to their students while flying.
The Boddy lifejacket was originally invented by George Mallory Boddy in 1914. It was designed to keep the wearer afloat and face upwards if they were brought down at sea. The Royal Flying Corps formally adopted the Boddy No. 5 jacket in 1916, although it was restricted to air crew below 5 feet 9 inches in height.
Before the formation of the Women's Royal Air Force in April 1918 women serving in the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps and Women's Royal Naval Service were attached to the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Naval Air Service. By August 1918 some 15,433 women were serving in the WRAF, serving in such diverse trades as fitter, clerk, cook, storekeeper and driver.
