Hubbry Logo
Royal Air Force MuseumRoyal Air Force MuseumMain
Open search
Royal Air Force Museum
Community hub
Royal Air Force Museum
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Royal Air Force Museum
Royal Air Force Museum
Royal Air Force Museum
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

The museum's London site, with replica Supermarine Spitfire and Hawker Hurricane aircraft outside, 2009
The entrance to the museum's site at RAF Cosford in Shropshire, 2020

The Royal Air Force Museum is a museum dedicated to the Royal Air Force in the United Kingdom. The museum is a non-departmental public body[1] and is a registered charity.[2] It has two public sites, Royal Air Force Museum London and Royal Air Force Museum Midlands at RAF Cosford in Shropshire.

History

[edit]

The idea of an RAF Museum was approved by the Air Council in 1931. However the Council only established the museum in 1964 after the idea was proposed by a historical committee chaired by Sir Dermot Boyle. The museum began collecting artefacts, which were initially stored at RAF Henlow. Land at the former Hendon Aerodrome in Colindale, London, was leased from the Ministry of Defence and the museum was opened there by Queen Elizabeth II in 1972 with 36 aircraft on display.[3][4]

The museum was part of the Ministry of Defence until it was split off and became a non-departmental public body in 1984. The Cosford Aerospace Museum formerly merged with the RAF Museum and became its second public site in 1998.[5]

The current governing document of the museum is a Royal charter granted in 2021.[6] In the financial year ending 2023, the museum had an income of £19.8 million. It had 202 employees, assisted by 384 volunteers, and is governed by a group of 11 trustees.[6] Currently, the museum's collection includes around 130 aircraft.[4]

A former site of the museum was at Cardington, Bedfordshire; this housed both the conservation centre and the museum's reserve collection. In 2002 a new conservation centre was opened at Cosford. This facility cost £2.4 million; it was opened by Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Michael Beetham and is named after him.[7][8] The museum's reserve collection was moved to a warehouse at MOD Stafford, a current military base; this is not open to the public.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Royal Air Force Museum

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Royal Air Force Museum is a national dedicated to preserving, displaying, and interpreting the of the Royal Air Force (RAF) from its formation in to the present day, through a vast collection of , artefacts, and personal stories that highlight the service's role in British defence and global conflicts. With free admission at its two primary sites— at and Midlands at in —it serves as an educational and inspirational resource for visitors, featuring interactive exhibits, historic hangars, and family-oriented activities that bring RAF heritage to life. The museum's origins trace back to a 1962 recommendation by an Air Force Board committee, chaired by Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Dermot Boyle, which advocated for a dedicated institution to safeguard RAF artefacts and history. It was officially established and opened to the public on 15 November 1972 at the former RAF airfield in by Queen Elizabeth II, beginning with 36 aircraft on display in purpose-built hangars that evoke the era of early . Over the decades, the collection has grown significantly, now encompassing approximately 1.3 million objects, including more than 130 historic aircraft ranging from biplanes to modern jets, alongside uniforms, documents, and multimedia installations that narrate the RAF's evolution and diverse contributions. In 1998, the museum expanded with the opening of its Midlands site at , a former training base in , which houses additional hangars dedicated to themes like aviation, , and research & development, drawing on the site's own RAF legacy to provide a complementary perspective to the London exhibits. As a government and registered charity (number 1197541), the museum operates under a granted on 17 December 2021 by Queen Elizabeth II, with King Charles III serving as Royal Patron since May 2024, governed by a Board of Trustees that oversees its mission to engage audiences through , conservation, and programs. These efforts extend beyond physical sites to include online exhibitions, educational resources for schools, and community events, ensuring the RAF's legacy remains accessible and relevant in an era of advancing technology.

Overview

Establishment and Mission

The Royal Air Force Museum's establishment was recommended by a 1962 committee of the Board, chaired by Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Dermot Boyle, which advised on the creation of a dedicated institution to preserve and present the RAF's historical artifacts and legacy. This recommendation led to the formal establishment of the museum in 1965 under a Deed of Trust, following Air Council approval in 1964, with Sir Dermot Boyle serving as the first Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Dr. John Tanner as the inaugural Director. The initiative addressed the need for a centralized repository for RAF aviation history, drawing on earlier ideas dating back to 1931 but revitalized post-World War II to honor the service's contributions. The museum was officially opened on 15 November 1972 by Queen Elizabeth II at the former RAF site in , marking the public debut of its initial collection housed in historic World War I-era hangars. This event signified the culmination of nearly a decade of planning and fundraising, including a public appeal supported by the , to transform the site into a national institution focused on aviation heritage. As a national museum and registered charity operating as a of the government, the Royal Air Force Museum is dedicated to British history with a particular emphasis on the experiences of RAF personnel, veterans, cadets, and reserves across wartime and peacetime eras. Its core mission is to share the RAF's story—past, present, and future—through people's personal narratives, extensive collections, interactive engagement, inspirational exhibits, entertaining programs, and educational initiatives that foster learning about the service's societal and technological impacts. This purpose underscores the museum's role in connecting visitors with the human elements of RAF history while highlighting its broader influence on world events.

Governance and Status

The Royal Air Force Museum operates as an executive sponsored by the , which provides it with operational independence while ensuring alignment with national defence heritage objectives. This status enables the museum to function as a national institution dedicated to preserving and interpreting RAF , with accountability to through the Ministry. Governance is overseen by a Board of Trustees, initially chaired by Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Dermot Boyle from 1965, who played a pivotal role in establishing the museum's foundational structure under a Deed of Trust. The Board continues to provide strategic leadership, comprising appointed members with expertise in , heritage, and , responsible for policy direction and financial oversight. The museum also holds registered charity status (number 1197541), which supports its public benefit activities and tax-exempt operations. In 2022, the museum received a from Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, effective from 1 April 2022, conferring formal royal recognition and defining its legal personality, objectives, and powers as the national repository of RAF heritage. Leadership is headed by the , with Dr. John Tanner serving as the inaugural Director from 1965 to 1987, establishing key protocols for and public engagement; the current CEO, Maggie Appleton MBE, appointed in 2015, oversees these responsibilities, including strategic development and audience outreach. Funding is derived primarily from government provided by the , supplemented by charitable donations, corporate partnerships, and grants from organizations such as the Wolfson Foundation and . These diverse sources enable sustained operations, conservation efforts, and public programs while maintaining financial transparency as a public body.

Sites

London Site

The Royal Air Force Museum London is situated on the site of the former Hendon Aerodrome in the London Borough of Barnet, , at Grahame Park Way, London NW9 5LL. This location preserves the aviation heritage of , which dates back to the early and served as a key RAF base until its closure in 1987. The site comprises six buildings and hangars that house immersive exhibits and displays chronicling RAF history. Hangar 1 serves as a central space for interactive and immersive experiences, including simulations such as the Dambusters exhibit, allowing visitors to engage with pivotal RAF operations. Upon its opening in , the hangars initially housed 36 aircraft, which formed the core of the displays and have since expanded into a broader collection integrated across the site's structures. A key highlight is the "RAF Stories: The First 100 Years" exhibit in Hangar 1, which explores the RAF's formation in through personal narratives, artifacts like log books and survival rations, and aircraft from its early decades, emphasizing the service's human and innovative aspects. Accessibility to the site is facilitated by its proximity to , including a 7- to 10-minute walk or short bus ride from Underground Station on the , and a 20-minute journey from via trains to Broadway Station followed by a brief bus connection on route 303. The museum provides step-free access throughout, disabled parking, and free wheelchairs or mobility scooters for visitors.

Cosford Site

The Royal Air Force Museum's site is located at in , , and has been managed by the museum since 1979. It was officially opened as the Cosford Aerospace Museum in 1979, renamed RAF Museum Cosford in 1998 marking its integration as a key branch focused on post-World War II themes, and renamed RAF Museum Midlands in March 2022 to highlight its links with the local community and the wider region. The site occupies historic hangars originally built for RAF training purposes, providing an authentic setting for exploring the evolution of in the region. The Midlands site emphasizes aviation, the history of test flying, and RAF training developments, offering visitors insights into technological advancements and operational strategies from the mid-20th century onward. Its collections highlight the RAF's role in innovation, including and training simulators that recreate historical flight conditions. This focus distinguishes it within the museum network by prioritizing technical and post-war narratives over earlier conflicts. The site features multiple hangars and outdoor displays housing over 70 aircraft, many drawn from the museum's reserve collections to showcase a diverse range of heritage. Notable among these is the National Cold War Exhibition, an immersive gallery depicting the era's geopolitical tensions through aircraft like the and , alongside artifacts and multimedia presentations. Simulator experiences allow interactive engagement, enabling visitors to pilot virtual replicas of historic planes and understand training protocols. In 2025, the museum launched "The Crate Escape" initiative to relocate over 50,000 historical artifacts to a new purpose-built collections hub at the site, aiming to enhance public access and display for items previously in storage. This project, part of a broader expansion completing by 2027, involves extensive cataloging and conservation efforts to reveal untold stories of RAF innovation and service. Funded in part by public donations and the , it will culminate in new exhibitions on modern RAF operations, including space and cyber defense themes.

Collections

Aircraft Collection

The Royal Air Force Museum houses over 130 historic aircraft, forming the most extensive dedicated collection of RAF aviation heritage in the . Spanning from early biplanes to contemporary jets, these vehicles illustrate key developments in , with many preserved in flyable or static condition to highlight their operational roles and technological advancements. The collection encompasses biplanes like the de Havilland DH.82 Tiger Moth, a tandem two-seat trainer introduced in 1931 that served as the RAF's primary elementary flight trainer during ; over 8,800 were produced, featuring a 130-horsepower engine and a maximum speed of 109 mph. fighters such as the Mk I, an early production example of this iconic single-engine that played a decisive role in the with its 1,000-horsepower engine and elliptical wings, are prominent fixtures. Heavy bombers include the Avro Lancaster Mk I (R5868), a four-engine that entered service in 1942 as Bomber Command's workhorse, boasting a 102-foot , a capable of carrying 14,000 pounds of ordnance, and a cruising speed of 210 mph; 7,377 were built. Modern jets are represented by prototypes like the DA2 (ZH588), a twin-engine, delta-wing multirole fighter developed through a European consortium starting in 1988; it achieves supersonic speeds exceeding Mach 2, with advanced for air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, underscoring the RAF's transition to fourth-generation combat aircraft. These examples, among others, are selected for their historical impact, from training and defense to and current operations. Acquired beginning with 36 aircraft at the museum's 1972 opening in , the collection has grown through donations, purchases, and transfers from RAF service, reaching over 130 by the early . Expansion accelerated after the RAF Centenary in 2018, with initiatives enabling better integration of new acquisitions into preservation programs. Not all aircraft are on public display; excess items are stored and maintained at reserve facilities, including a vast warehouse in housing parts and complete airframes, as well as active RAF sites like Cosford for climate-controlled preservation and periodic access. This distributed approach ensures the collection's security while allowing for loans and special exhibitions. Restoration occurs primarily at the Michael Beetham Conservation Centre in Cosford, where processes begin with comprehensive inspections to assess structural integrity, corrosion, and material degradation. Skilled technicians then perform repairs using period-appropriate methods, such as riveting aluminum frames, reupholstering cockpits, and applying dope to fabric surfaces on vintage like the Spitfire to replicate original finishes and prevent deterioration. Ongoing projects, including those for rare types, emphasize authenticity and employ non-invasive techniques to retain historical while enabling long-term display.

Artifacts and Memorabilia

The Artifacts and Memorabilia collection at the Royal Air Force Museum encompasses a diverse array of non-aircraft items that illuminate the personal experiences and operational realities of RAF personnel across its history. Comprising part of the museum's overall holdings of over 1.3 million objects, this category includes approximately 55,000 items in the reserve collection alone, featuring uniforms, medals, weapons, and personal effects donated by veterans, cadets, and reserves from global operations spanning both World Wars to modern conflicts. These objects, governed by the museum's Collections Development Policy, prioritize items that represent the human dimension of RAF service, such as insignia from orders of chivalry and campaign decorations awarded for valor in diverse theaters. Key highlights draw from pivotal events like the , including the uniform jacket of Baron Dowding of , who led Fighter Command during the 1940 campaign, and a rare Rhino suit worn by Boulton Paul Defiant pilots to protect against fuel fires during intense dogfights. Pilot logbooks stand out as tangible records of individual service, with the museum holding an extensive series covering aircrew trades from all periods but predominantly the World Wars, detailing sorties, training flights, and personal notations that reveal the pressures faced by aviators like those in No. 56 Squadron. Ground crew tools and equipment further underscore support roles, exemplified by inventories of spares and servicing items for operations like the detachments, which equipped mechanics for maintaining aircraft in remote postings. These artifacts vividly convey stories of RAF personnel, emphasizing resilience and sacrifice through items tied to specific veterans, such as the medal bar of Wing Commander Alan Geoffrey Page, who received the and Distinguished Flying Cross with Bar for downing multiple enemy aircraft during the while flying Hurricanes. Similarly, medals and personal effects from ground crew and reserves highlight lesser-known contributions, like those of volunteers who arrived in Britain from 1944 onward to handle essential maintenance amid manpower shortages. The collection's emphasis on diverse narratives extends to post-war eras, with objects illustrating the transitions faced by demobilized airmen and women in rebuilding efforts. Cataloging and conservation efforts ensure the longevity of these fragile items, conducted at facilities like the Michael Beetham Conservation Centre, where specialists apply hand-cleaning, detailed documentation, and protective treatments to prevent deterioration from age or environmental factors. Recent initiatives, such as the 2025 "Crate Escape" project, involve over 31,000 hours of meticulous work to catalog, conserve, and relocate more than 50,000 reserve objects, making them accessible while adhering to professional standards for handling textiles, metals, and leather. In the wake of the 2018 RAF Centenary celebrations, the museum accessioned over 1,000 new objects in subsequent years, including items integrated into transformed displays that brought previously unseen memorabilia to public view, such as enhanced veteran narratives in the "RAF Stories: The First 100 Years" exhibition at Cosford. These additions, often donated post-centenary, reinforce the collection's focus on evolving RAF identities and global engagements.

Archives and Media

The Royal Air Force Museum maintains extensive archives and media collections that document the of the RAF and British aviation, encompassing films, sound recordings, photographs, documents, and oral histories spanning from the early to the present. These resources provide invaluable primary sources for researchers, capturing personal stories, operational details, and technological developments across all eras of RAF service. The museum's film and sound collection originated in the 1970s and includes approximately 13,000 items, comprising seven million feet of film footage from 1910 onward that depicts various aspects of RAF life, including training, combat operations, recruitment, and aviation industry achievements. Notable holdings feature trials of the "Upkeep" and "Highball" bouncing bombs, testing sequences, and Vanguard aircraft footage, RAF Air Pageants, and the "Look at Life" series. Oral history recordings within this collection document veterans' experiences from the First World War through early 21st-century conflicts, offering first-hand accounts of service in diverse roles. Complementing the audiovisual materials, the archives hold around 250,000 photographs covering British history from 19th-century ballooning to modern operations, primarily in black-and-white prints across various formats, including key collections like the Charles Brown and Kingston sets. Documentary records include aircrew logbooks, First World War casualty cards, aircraft and vehicle record cards, personal papers, and operational documents donated by individuals and organizations, providing comprehensive coverage of RAF personnel and activities throughout its history. These intangible records emphasize narrative and evidential value, distinct from physical artifacts. To enhance accessibility and preservation, the museum offers online exhibitions drawn from these archives, such as "Alex Henshaw – Flying Legend – A Life in Art," which traces test pilot Alex Henshaw's career from 1932 through aviation art and racing, and "De Havilland – The Man and the Company," highlighting Geoffrey de Havilland's innovations and the global influence of his aircraft designs. Researchers can access materials via the museum's online catalogue at collections.rafmuseum.org.uk, with partial digitization enabling remote viewing of selected items, including over 290,000 First World War personnel records. For in-depth study, protocols require contacting the curator at [email protected] or visiting the Archive and Library at RAF Museum London, where supervised handling ensures conservation. Ongoing digitization efforts prioritize fragile media to safeguard these resources for future scholarship and public engagement, including limited use in educational programs.

Exhibitions and Displays

Permanent Exhibitions

The permanent exhibitions at the Royal Air Force Museum narrate the RAF's history through immersive displays integrating aircraft, artifacts, and multimedia, organized thematically across its London and Cosford sites to cover early aviation, World War II conflicts, and post-war developments. At the London site, Hangar 1 houses RAF Stories: The First 100 Years (1918–2018), a centenary-era exhibit tracing RAF evolution from World War I origins through interwar innovations, World War II operations, and Cold War to modern missions, featuring personal narratives, films, and interactive games like exploring a Sunderland flying boat interior. Adjacent in the same hangar, RAF – First to the Future highlights contemporary RAF capabilities in air and space power, including equipment innovations and future debates, with hands-on activities such as designing virtual aircraft. Hangar 2 features The First World War in the Air 1914–1918, covering the development of military aviation from early flights to the formation of the RAF, with displays of aircraft and artifacts like good luck charms from pilots. Hangars 3–5 present War in the Air (1918–1980), encompassing early post-World War I aviation advancements, pivotal World War II battles like the Battle of Britain, and Cold War transitions, with iconic aircraft displays including the Avro Lancaster. Post-2018 RAF Centenary updates enhanced these displays with added personal stories and technology demonstrations; for instance, the 2023 reopening of Higher, Faster, Further – The RAF 1919–1939 in 5 explores interwar technological leaps and aerial policing, while Strike Hard, Strike Sure: Bomber Command, 1939–1945—also refreshed that year—immerses visitors in campaigns through crew stories, raid simulations, and interactives detailing technologies. 6's The RAF in an addresses post-Cold War adaptations to global changes, incorporating visitor timelines for ongoing engagement. At Cosford, the National Cold War Exhibition provides an immersive narrative of 1946–1991 tensions, featuring V-bombers like the and Vulcan, a segment, and environmental simulations evoking nuclear threats to underscore RAF deterrence roles. Complementing this, the Test Flight hangar organizes exhibits chronologically from biplanes through interwar experiments and fighters like the Spitfire, to post-war test programs including the TSR-2, with interactive elements such as a flight simulator and virtual reality parachute drops. Hangar 1 displays a collection of transport and training aircraft, including examples from the and the iconic Chinook helicopter. The War in the Air hangar focuses on aerial warfare, displaying British and German aircraft alongside a restored bomber—updated post-2018—and V-1/V-2 replicas to illustrate bombing strategies. These exhibitions incorporate interactive touchscreens for aircraft histories and personal accounts, alongside flight simulators at both sites, fostering visitor engagement with RAF heritage without relying solely on static displays.

Temporary and Special Exhibitions

The Royal Air Force Museum features a series of temporary and special exhibitions that rotate to highlight timely themes, anniversaries, and underrepresented aspects of RAF history, often complementing its permanent displays through online formats, physical installations, and interactive elements. These exhibitions typically last from several months to a year, engaging visitors with multimedia storytelling, personal narratives, and collaborative partnerships to foster deeper connections to aviation heritage. One notable example is the "Freedom & Liberty" exhibition, an online archive display launched to examine the RAF's contributions to defending freedoms during the Second World War, including operations that liberated and supported Allied forces, with sections on personal impacts, captivity, and diverse personnel stories. It emphasized themes of and international cooperation, drawing from museum artifacts to illustrate the service's global reach. Similarly, "Wonderful Amy!" was a special online exhibition created for the centenary of Johnson's 1930 solo flight from to , the first by a woman, chronicling her early life, daring journeys, romantic partnerships in , and wartime role in the . This biographical showcase highlighted gender barriers in early and engaged audiences through archival photos and flight logs, running digitally without a fixed end date to commemorate pioneering figures. In , to mark the RAF Centenary, the museum hosted event-driven displays and activities across its sites, including commemorative installations on the service's first 100 years, such as enhanced storytelling on air power evolution and public events like air shows and talks that drew thousands to reflect on milestones from 1918 onward. These tied into broader anniversary programming, boosting visitor numbers through themed weekends and interactive sessions. Collaborations with external partners have enriched themed shows, such as the 2018 "War Brides" physical exhibition at the London site, a partnership with artist Bev Tosh featuring 30 portraits and silk-printed stories of women who married RAF personnel during and after the Second World War, exploring migration, love, and postwar adaptation; it ran for several months in the museum's , encouraging visitor submissions of histories for engagement. Other partnerships, like with Highly Sprung Performance for the 2024 "Trailblazers" show on innovators, incorporated live theater to immerse audiences in historical narratives. For 2025, the "Crate Escape" initiative serves as a special and fundraising campaign centered on the relocation of over 50,000 artifacts from MOD Stafford storage to a new Collections Hub at the site, enabling the public display of previously unseen items like ejector seats, uniforms, and escape tools for the first time. Launched in June 2025 with ongoing updates through videos and interactive maps, it showcases the logistical "mission" of moving historic pieces, including the September transfer of aircraft like the Westland Whirlwind and Armstrong Whitworth Argosy, while building anticipation for a new permanent gallery on post-1980 RAF operations opening in 2027; visitor engagement includes sponsorship opportunities and behind-the-scenes tours to highlight preservation efforts.

History

Founding and Early Development

In 1962, the Air Force Board established a chaired by Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Dermot Boyle to advise on the preservation of RAF historical relics and the potential creation of a national museum. This , initially focused on historical advisory matters, produced an interim report that explored various options for a museum but initially dismissed a London-based site. Ultimately, the 's recommendations led to the formal decision to establish a dedicated Royal Air Force Museum as a lasting commemoration of the RAF's heritage. In 1964, a Board of Trustees was formed under Sir Dermot Boyle's chairmanship to oversee the museum's establishment, with Dr. John Tanner, previously the librarian at the RAF College Cranwell, appointed as the inaugural Director. Tanner's role involved intensive planning, including the design of exhibition spaces in repurposed World War I-era hangars and the acquisition of initial artifacts. The selection of as the museum's location was announced on 6 November 1967, chosen for its rich history as one of the earliest civil aerodromes in Britain, later requisitioned for use during and serving as RAF from 1925. Alternative sites such as Henlow, Upavon, and even a location near the Mall in were considered, but 's proximity to , accessibility via public transport and major roads like the M1, and its symbolic ties to pioneering — including the famous Hendon Air Pageants—made it the preferred choice. The approved the site in 1967, contingent on a public funding appeal that raised approximately £1 million (equivalent to about £23 million as of 2025) for development. From 1965 to 1972, pre-opening efforts focused on building the collection, with staff commencing work in late 1967 and architectural designs finalized by 1969; by opening, the museum had assembled 36 aircraft for display alongside other relics. The museum opened to the public on 15 November 1972, officially inaugurated by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, marking a significant milestone in RAF commemoration. The event drew widespread attention, reflecting strong initial public interest in the institution's mission to preserve and showcase aviation history, though specific early attendance figures from the first year are not publicly detailed in official records. The opening was hailed as a success, establishing the museum as a key cultural asset from its inception.

Expansion and Modernization

Following its establishment at in 1972, the Royal Air Force Museum expanded its operations in 1979 by assuming management of the Cosford Aerospace Museum from the . This site, which had been displaying historic ground instructional airframes since 1972, officially opened to the public as part of the RAF Museum on 1 May 1979, marking the beginning of a second major location focused on preserving and exhibiting aviation heritage. The acquisition allowed for the distribution of the growing collection across sites, alleviating space constraints at and enabling broader thematic displays, such as those on aviation at Cosford. In 1998, the Cosford site was formally integrated into the RAF Museum portfolio and renamed the RAF Museum Cosford, solidifying its status as a core branch rather than a separate MOD-managed facility. In March 2022, it was renamed the to better reflect its regional connections. This renaming coincided with ongoing efforts to expand storage capabilities, as the museum's holdings grew from 36 at Hendon's opening to over 130 by the early , necessitating reserve facilities at various RAF stations and dedicated expansions for non-display items. These developments enhanced conservation efforts and supported the museum's role in maintaining the world's largest collection of RAF-related . The museum underwent significant modernization during the RAF's centenary celebrations in , with transformations at the London site introducing interactive technologies like kiosks and digital interactives to bring historic aircraft to life for visitors. This £26 million project also added approximately 500 previously stored objects to public displays, increasing accessibility to artifacts such as uniforms, documents, and equipment that illustrated the RAF's . These enhancements not only refreshed exhibitions but also boosted visitor engagement, with attendance rising by 39% in the following year. The museum received a granted by Queen Elizabeth II on 17 December 2021, effective from 1 April 2022, to commemorate its 50th anniversary, establishing it as an independent royal corporation with enhanced legal and prestige in preserving RAF heritage. This status upgrade formalized its governance structure and underscored its national importance, allowing greater flexibility in acquisitions, partnerships, and programming. Building on this momentum, in 2025 the museum initiated "The Crate Escape" campaign to relocate over 50,000 stored items from secure MOD facilities in to a new Collections Hub at the site in . This move aims to centralize reserves, improve conservation conditions, and enable broader access to rarely seen artifacts through future rotating displays and initiatives.

Education and Outreach

Educational Programs

The Royal Air Force Museum provides a range of structured educational programs tailored for schools, aligning closely with the to foster learning in , (STEM). These programs include immersive workshops such as exploring materials for flying machines, investigating , constructing fuselages, and launching rockets, which emphasize aviation engineering principles. Onsite sessions at both the and sites accommodate classes of up to 30 pupils, with options for pre-visit resources like site maps and risk assessments to support curriculum topics including RAF , UK democracy, diversity, and social stereotypes. Online workshops, delivered via Microsoft Teams for Key Stages 1–3 at £45 per session, cover similar themes and are adaptable for special educational needs. Family-oriented activities at the museum encourage hands-on engagement and , designed for visitors of all ages to explore themes playfully. Highlights include free outdoor playgrounds featuring climbable models like Spitfires and mock control towers, alongside indoor interactive exhibits such as mini play areas and sensory backpacks for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Families can participate in downloadable worksheets for creative activities like building models or baking -inspired treats, as well as museum trails—available in print or digitally via mobile apps—that incorporate storytelling elements about RAF and pilots. These sessions promote conceptual understanding of flight and without requiring prior booking, enhancing during regular visits. Youth and cadet engagement programs connect participants with RAF traditions, leadership development, and potential reserves pathways through targeted initiatives. The museum collaborates with the RAF via a formal partnership to deliver skill-building activities inspired by RAF stories, including hands-on displays and exhibitions that support cadet training in teamwork and knowledge. Events like the free Glider Challenge invite students and cadets to build and test gliders, fostering engineering skills and awarding top teams, while Scouts Takeover Days help youth groups earn Air Activities Badges through -themed challenges. The Youth Advisory Panel, open to ages 16–24, involves quarterly meetings where members influence program design, tying into broader RAF youth engagement efforts that emphasize leadership and STEM careers. Talks, tours, and special events often feature veteran speakers to provide authentic insights into RAF history, enriching educational experiences for schools, families, and youth groups. Guided tours, such as the 1-hour Bomber Command or walks at £9 per person for groups of eight or more. Themed days like Evacuee Days blend history workshops on evacuation and RAF roles, available for £175 per group of 30 students. Free Digital Skills sessions and virtual lectures further extend these opportunities, with live-streamed talks on RAF innovations delivered by experts, including veterans, to promote historical and technical understanding. Outreach initiatives extend the museum's educational reach beyond its London and Midlands sites through mobile exhibits, online resources, and community partnerships. Free STEM outreach days, sponsored by the RAF Youth Engagement Team, deliver hands-on activities to schools across regions like , focusing on curriculum-linked engineering without on-site visits. Online exhibitions and virtual tours, such as "Taking Flight" exploring RAF pilot training history, provide accessible with personal accounts and interactive elements. Downloadable resources, including STEM activity packs and historical worksheets, support remote learning and mobile exhibit loans for local events, ensuring broad public engagement with RAF heritage.

Research and Library Services

The Royal Air Force Museum maintains an extensive library collection focused on aviation history, encompassing books, journals, and reference materials that span from the earliest volume dated 1783 to contemporary additions received almost daily. This includes memoirs, historical studies, technical publications on and engines, and periodicals such as Flight and The Aeroplane from 1909 onward, alongside unit-specific magazines offering insights into RAF service life. publications form a core part, featuring technical manuals for RAF and engines, policy documents like the RAF War Manual, and training materials. The library also holds aeronautical maps, including navigational charts and specialized items such as escape maps from the Second World War. Access to the museum's archives and library is provided for researchers through the Reading Room at the London site, available by appointment on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 4pm. Researchers must submit an online enquiry form at least five working days in advance, with appointments limited to the London location and requiring confirmation from staff. The archives include logbooks, First World War casualty cards, aircraft record cards, and personal papers, viewable under supervised conditions to preserve the materials. Digitization efforts enable access to select documents and media via the Collections Online platform, which features over 300,000 digitized First World War casualty records through the RAFM Storyvault and approximately 25,000 casualty forms. These projects facilitate remote research on artifacts, photographs, and records, with ongoing work to expand digital availability of the museum's holdings. The museum collaborates with universities on scholarly projects, including fully funded PhD programs with institutions such as the , , , , and , focusing on RAF history and aviation heritage. These partnerships support joint publications and research initiatives, such as the RAF Stories program and student-led designs for collections facilities. Specific services include genealogy support through research guides, such as those for tracing First World War personnel using casualty records and logbooks, often directing users to complementary resources like The National Archives. Expert consultations are available via the Remote Enquiry Service, where staff assist with queries on collections, responding within 20 working days for straightforward requests limited to museum holdings.

Visitor Information

Facilities and Accessibility

The Royal Air Force Museum offers free admission to both its and (Cosford) sites, with opening hours of 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily at and 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily from to October or 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM daily from November to February at Cosford (last entry 30 minutes before closing). This policy ensures broad public access to its heritage collections and interactive experiences without financial barriers. On-site amenities include cafés such as the Café and Kitchen at , and the Airfield Kitchen at Cosford, providing a range of hot and cold food options alongside indoor and outdoor seating. Gift shops at both locations stock -themed souvenirs, with online purchasing available, while spacious areas in the grounds encourage visits with provided rugs and bean bags. Event spaces cater to corporate conferences, meetings, and gatherings, utilizing historic hangars and dedicated venues like the Lecture Theatre in London for up to 220 delegates. Accessibility features are comprehensive across both sites, promoting inclusive visits for visitors with disabilities or additional needs. Step-free access is available throughout, with wide aisles, lifts to upper levels, and free in all ; designated disabled parking is provided near entrances. Manual wheelchairs, mobility scooters, and rollators are loaned free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis, and assistance dogs are welcome with water bowls on site. Audio handsets equipped with hearing loops offer subtitled films and guided tours, complemented by tactile models, large-print guides, and sensory-friendly resources like SEND Family Backpacks and neurodivergent visitor guides. Quiet rooms are accessible in multiple , and both sites hold Friendly Venue status, with working towards an Award. facilities, featuring ceiling hoists, adjustable benches, and ample space for carers, are located in 's Hangar 2 and Cosford's Visitor Centre, the latter opened in November 2021 as part of a refurbishment to support those with profound disabilities. Site-specific infrastructure enhances user experience: London's indoor hangars house most facilities, including accessible toilets with baby-changing in every and simulators like the and 4D theatre. In contrast, Cosford features expansive outdoor grounds for picnics amid its aircraft displays, with all hangars connected by level paths and additional accessible toilets in the Visitor Centre, Test Flight, National Exhibition, and Hangar 1. Sustainability initiatives, implemented following 2018 site transformations, include measures such as increased LED lighting and a commitment to carbon net zero by 2030 through investments in efficient technologies and reduced emissions.

Visiting Guidelines

Admission to the Royal Air Force Museum sites in and Cosford is free, but visitors are encouraged to book tickets online in advance via the museum's Digitickets system to guarantee entry, particularly during peak periods such as weekends, school holidays, and summer months when crowds are higher. Booking is especially recommended for groups to secure coach parking and access to special experiences. Visitors should adhere to the museum's conduct policies, which include no touching of exhibits, eating or drinking only in designated areas, and keeping personal belongings attended at all times. with hand-held cameras is permitted for private, non-commercial purposes, but tripods, additional , or drones are prohibited without prior approval from the museum's events team; additionally, obtaining is required before photographing individuals. Bag searches may occur upon entry, and oversized bags must be stored in provided lockers, while prohibited items such as weapons, knives, illegal drugs, fireworks, external alcohol, and noisemakers are not allowed—though cultural or religious items like a are exempt with notification. For group visits of eight or more, guided tours lasting one hour are available: £9 per person at and £10 per person at , focusing on highlights like the Hall in or behind-the-scenes hangar access in Cosford; these must be booked in advance via the museum's group visit forms. School groups require pre-booking through dedicated online forms for either self-guided or facilitated visits, with supervision ratios of one adult per 10 students under 16, and resources like hangar trails available to enhance the educational experience. Children under 11 must be accompanied by an adult aged 16 or older at all times. Health and safety protocols emphasize following staff instructions, emergency procedures, and signage, with CCTV monitoring in operation and daily building checks to mitigate risks, including enhanced cleaning. To maximize the visit, start with the interactive online maps for each site to plan a route through the hangars—beginning with historic in Hangar 1 at or the exhibits at Cosford—allowing time for interactive displays and allocating at least three to four hours for a comprehensive . Assistance dogs are welcome, but other pets are not, and is confined to designated outdoor areas.

References

  1. https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/royal-air-force-museum/about
  2. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/
  3. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/about-us/our-history/
  4. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/whats-going-on/news/an-announcement-about-our-royal-patronage/
  5. https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C187
  6. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/about-us/
  7. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/service-museums-public-body-review-summary-2023/combined-service-museums-public-body-review-summary-and-findings-2023
  8. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/about-us/policy-performance/freedom-of-information/who-we-are-and-what-we-do/
  9. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/about-us/our-royal-charter/
  10. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/news/royal-charter-unveiled-as-part-of-50th-birthday-celebrations/
  11. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/default/ceo/
  12. https://www.nationalmuseums.org.uk/members/rafm/
  13. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/about-us/policy-performance/freedom-of-information/what-we-spend-and-how-we-spend-it/
  14. https://assets.rafmuseum.org.uk/app/uploads/2023/09/RAFM-Annual-Report-and-Financial-Statements-2022-23.pdf
  15. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/about-us/our-supporters/
  16. https://assets.rafmuseum.org.uk/app/uploads/2024/03/Annual-Review-2022-2023-Approved-Version.pdf
  17. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/about-us/our-history/hendon-cradle-of-aviation/
  18. https://www.historyhit.com/locations/the-london-royal-air-force-museum/
  19. https://raai.com/project/the-first-world-war-in-the-air-royal-air-force-museum/
  20. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/things-to-see-and-do/exhibitions-2/
  21. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/about-us/media-vault/videos/introducing-londons-immersive-histories-dambuster/
  22. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/things-to-see-and-do/exhibitions-2/first-100-years/
  23. https://www.metstudiodesign.com/work/the-royal-air-force-the-first-100-years/
  24. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/plan-your-day/getting-here/
  25. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/plan-your-day/access-and-accessibility/
  26. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/midlands/
  27. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/about-us/our-history/history-of-aviation-cosford/
  28. https://www.flyingmag.com/raf-museum-putting-thousands-of-historical-pieces-on-display-for-first-time/
  29. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/collections/de-havilland-tiger-moth-ii/
  30. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/collections/supermarine-spitfire-i/
  31. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/collections/avro-lancaster-1/
  32. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/collections/eurofighter-typhoon/
  33. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/centenary-programme/raf-centenary-programme-news/a-new-dawn/
  34. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cr799demvmeo
  35. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/whats-going-on/news/second-world-war-aircraft-restored-using-original-doping-techniques/
  36. https://collections.rafmuseum.org.uk/
  37. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/support-us/mdp/new-collections-hub/
  38. https://assets.rafmuseum.org.uk/app/uploads/2022/03/Collections-Development-Policy-v14-LIVE.pdf
  39. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/default/medals-uniforms/
  40. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/news/commemorate-battle-of-britain-80-at-the-raf-museum/
  41. https://collections.rafmuseum.org.uk/collection/search/?q2=all&q3=7&events%255B%255D=Battle%2Bof%2BBritain%252C%2B1940
  42. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/default/archive-collection/aircrew-logbooks/
  43. https://collections.rafmuseum.org.uk/collection/inventory/?q2=%2526inventory_location%255B%255D%253DCosford%252C%2BHangar%2BThree&q3=324&inventory_location%255B%255D=In%2BStorage&inventory_type%255B%255D=Archives
  44. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/default/other-aircraft-exhibits/
  45. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/online-exhibitions/pilots-of-the-caribbean/across-the-commands/the-second-world-war-1939-to-1945-across-the-commands-part-4/
  46. https://uk.corgi.co.uk/community/blog-and-news/aerodrome/michael-beetham-conservation-centre-hampden-and-goodwin-sands-dornier-revisited
  47. https://vintageaviationnews.com/aviation-museum-news/raf-museum-launches-major-campaign-to-relocate-50000-historic-artifacts.html
  48. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/midlands/things-to-see-and-do/hangars/raf-stories-the-first-100-years/
  49. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/default/archive-collection/
  50. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/default/film-sound/
  51. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/documents/policies/Collections_Development_Policy_v12_LIVE.pdf
  52. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/default/photographs/
  53. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/archive-exhibitions/
  54. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7c04f1e5274a7202e19096/0599.pdf
  55. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/midlands/things-to-see-and-do/hangars/
  56. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/things-to-see-and-do/exhibitions-2/first-to-the-future/
  57. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/things-to-see-and-do/exhibitions-2/grahame-white-factory/
  58. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/things-to-see-and-do/exhibitions-2/historic-hangars/
  59. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/whats-going-on/news/higher-faster-further-the-raf-1919-1939/
  60. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/things-to-see-and-do/exhibitions-2/bomber-command/
  61. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/things-to-see-and-do/exhibitions-2/age-of-uncertainty/
  62. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/midlands/things-to-see-and-do/hangars/cold-war/
  63. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/midlands/whats-going-on/typhoon-flight-simulator-midlands/
  64. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/midlands/things-to-see-and-do/hangars/hangar-1
  65. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/midlands/things-to-see-and-do/hangars/war-in-the-air/
  66. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/midlands/things-to-see-and-do/hangars/bomber-command-exhibition/
  67. https://whichmuseum.com/museum/royal-air-force-museum-london-edgware-3369/exhibitions
  68. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/archive-exhibitions/freedom-liberty/
  69. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/archive-exhibitions/wonderful-amy/
  70. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/about-us/media-vault/galleries/raf-centenary-programme-our-london-site-in-2018/
  71. https://vintageaviationnews.com/aviation-museum-news/raf-museum-cosford-2018-events-diary.html
  72. https://www.raf-ff.org.uk/war-brides-new-portrait-exhibition/
  73. https://www.ianvisits.co.uk/calendar/war-brides-415075/
  74. https://londonplanner.com/the-raf-museum-london-summer-2024/
  75. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/news/join-the-crate-escape-and-support-our-fundraising-mission/
  76. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3en0gxp499o
  77. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/documents/podcasts/transcripts/if_not_hendon_where.pdf
  78. https://rafmuseum.org/documents/Strategy_Documents/Strategy_2030_Downloadable_Version.pdf
  79. https://www.museumnext.com/article/augmented-reality-in-action-how-the-raf-museum-brings-historic-aircraft-to-life/
  80. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/news/raf-museum-s-numbers-grow-to-almost-a-million/
  81. https://data.parliament.uk/DepositedPapers/Files/DEP2025-0212/RAF_Museum_Framework_Document-2022-2025-updated.pdf
  82. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/schools/
  83. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/midlands/schools-and-colleges/
  84. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/midlands/schools-and-colleges/online-workshops/
  85. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/things-to-see-and-do/family-activities/
  86. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/midlands/things-to-see-and-do/family-activities/
  87. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/midlands/schools-and-colleges/family-worksheets/
  88. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/news/inspiring-everyone-raf-museum-and-raf-air-cadets-join-forces/
  89. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/midlands/schools-and-colleges/learning-events/
  90. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/group-visits/guided-tours/
  91. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/virtual-events/virtual-lectures/
  92. https://www.facebook.com/RAFMLearning/
  93. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/online-exhibitions/taking-flight/
  94. https://www.raf.mod.uk/what-we-do/inspiring-stem-careers/
  95. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/default/library-collection/books-periodicals/
  96. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/default/library-collection/official-publications/
  97. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/default/library-collection/maps/
  98. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/visit-our-reading-room/
  99. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/research-enquiries/
  100. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/midlands/whats-going-on/news/raf-museum-announces-fully-funded-phd/
  101. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/news/museum-announces-fully-funded-phd/
  102. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/whats-going-on/news/fully-funded-phd/
  103. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/news/museum-announces-fully-funded-multi-disciplinary-phd-2/
  104. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/midlands/whats-going-on/news/university-students-bring-fresh-ideas-to-raf-museum-redevelopment/
  105. https://assets.rafmuseum.org.uk/app/uploads/2025/02/10131053/Research-Guide-No.1_Tracing-People-First-World-War-v6-larger-font.docx
  106. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/research-enquiries/faqs/
  107. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/plan-your-day/our-facilities/
  108. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/midlands/plan-your-day/our-facilities/
  109. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/venue-hire/
  110. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/midlands/venue-hire/
  111. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/plan-your-day/accessibility/
  112. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/midlands/plan-your-day/accessibility/
  113. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/midlands/whats-going-on/news/raf-museum-opens-fully-accessible-changing-places-facility/
  114. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/documents/annual_reports/Royal_Air_Force_Museum_2019-20.pdf
  115. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/about-us/sustainability/
  116. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/plan-your-day/
  117. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/midlands/plan-your-day/
  118. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/group-visits/
  119. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/midlands/group-visits/
  120. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/default/admissions-policy/
  121. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/midlands/group-visits/guided-tours/
  122. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/schools/school-visit-booking/
  123. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/midlands/schools-and-colleges/school-visit-booking/
  124. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/things-to-see-and-do/explore/
  125. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/midlands/things-to-see-and-do/explore/
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.