Flight

Model of Santos-Dumont Aeroplane, 14 bis. (1906), scale 1:10 Designed and piloted by the Brazilian Alberto Santos-Dumont. The first accredited sustained flight in Europe (other than a 'hop') to be achieved by a manned, powered aeroplane was made by S

• Santos-Dumont's '14 bis' aeroplane, 1906.

Model of Cierva Autogiro C.6D, scale 1:10 In an attempt to make flying safer at take-off and landing, the Spaniard Juan de la Cierva developed the 'gyroplane', in which the lift is achieved by a free spinning rotor. The autogiro, predecessor to the t

• The Cierva Autogiro C6D, c 1926.

Sectioned Armstrong Siddeley 840 H.P. 'Tiger' Aero engine. Two of these engines were used to power Armstrong-Whitworth Whitley bombers, twin-engined medium bombers operated by the RAF in the 1930s.

• The Armstrong Siddeley 840 hp 'Tiger' aero engine, 1931.

1:24 scale model of the Rolls-Royce 'Vertical take-off thrust measuring rig' (colloquially known as the 'Flying Bedstead')

• The Rolls-Royce vertical take-off-thrust measuring rig, 1954.

Hawker Hurricane Mk.I. L.1592. This particular machine fought over Dunkirk and in the Battle of Britain. Although similar in appearance to the Supermarine Spitfire and also powered by a Rolls-Royce Merlin engine, the Hurricane is fundamentally differ

• Hawker Hurricane Mk I, c 1940.

Aertex fabric flying helmet, with fittings for electric headphones and oxygen mask. Air Ministry type 22C/747, WWII.

• Flying helmet with oxygen mask and headphones, Air Ministry, WWII.

Model of balloon, in glass and metal, 10', containing 4 scent bottles.French. With wooden travelling case.The objects, from the Penn-Gaskell collection, are: a model of a balloon which opens up to reveal four scent bottles, two teapots, two snuff box

• A selection of 'ballooniana' objects, late 18th century.

Hawker P.1127 VSTOL Experimental Aircraft, 1960, serial number XP831. This is the first prototype which achieved vertical take-off on 21st October, 1960.

• Hawker P 1127 VSTOL Experimental Aircraft, 1960.

Model of steam driven derigible by Henri Giffard 1852, scale 1:50 This dirigible was used in the first successful application of mechanical power to flight. The power unit was a single cylinder steam engine constructed by the French designer Henri Gi

• The Giffard Airship, 1852.

Portion of Fuselage containing control mechanism; of Bleriot Monoplane. French aviator Louis Bleriot (1872-1936) made the first cross-Channel heavier-than-air flight in his No XI monoplane on 25 July 1909.

• Control mechanism of Bleriot monoplane, c 1909.