Tour the Amazing Royal Air Force Museum

The Royal Air Force Museum is the only national museum in Britain which is completely dedicated to aviation. The museum is consists of two separate sites: Hendon in North London, and Cosford in Shropshire in the West Midlands. The exhibits at these two sites complement one another, offering a unique experience to those who choose to visit both.

The Royal Air Force Museum is the only national museum in Britain which is completely dedicated to aviation. The museum is consists of two separate sites: Hendon in North London, and Cosford in Shropshire in the West Midlands. The exhibits at these two sites complement one another, offering a unique experience to those who choose to visit both.

The museum gives visitors comprehensive insight into aviation technology and the history of aviation, while highlighting the people behind the advances in aviation. Many of the early pioneering aviators and fearless wartime heroes, as well as the thousands of men and women in military service are acknowledged for their history-making contributions to aviation.

The Royal Air Force Museum has an outstanding collection of aircraft in addition to exhibitions, interactive displays, films, artwork, photographs, engines, missiles, uniforms and medals. Research and education facilities make full use of modern technology, yet not neglecting the history and traditions behind the marvels of aviation.

The London Royal Air Force Museum was opened by Her Majesty the Queen in 1972. Located on the historic site of the London Aerodrome, the museum houses more than a hundred aircraft from all over the world. Early airplanes on display include the single seat fighter Sopwith tri-plane and a full size flying reproduction of the biplane bomber, Vickers Vimy. In January 2008, the Royal Air Force Museum will be the first museum in the world to receive the Eurofighter Typhoon, which will replace the current replica that has been on display since 2003.

The museum at Cosford aims to preserve and display an essential part of Britain’s aviation heritage. The War Plane Collection focuses on airplanes that have played an important role in the development of military aviation, featuring British aircraft as well as German, Japanese, American and Argentinean aircraft. Unique early German experimental missiles form part of Cosford’s Missile Collection, which documents the history of missile development from the early concrete and wooden missiles to the technologically advanced weapons of today. Other collections include the Transport & Training Aircraft Collection and the fascinating Research & Development Aircraft Collection.

Special events are organized at the Royal Air Force Museum on an ongoing basis. The museum in London has an event planned for 17-21 December 2007 with the theme “Wartime Christmas”. This shows how people celebrated Christmas during the difficult times of World War II from 1939 to 1945. Visitors can join in making wartime cards, paper chains and gift tags. Cosford’s next event is planned for 28 January to 1 February 2008, where visitors will be given the opportunity to view the area where the restoration of airplanes is carried out.

To make it possible for everyone to visit the Royal Air Force Museum, both the London and the Cosford sites charge no entrance fees and offer free parking. Visitors are guaranteed to leave the museum knowing more about, and having a deeper respect for, the wonders of aviation.