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RAF Museum

RAF Museum

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The RAF Museum, based across two sites at Hendon and Cosford, houses one of the biggest and most exciting collections of aviation artefacts in the world. Both locations are well worth a visit for anyone interested in the RAF, aircraft or aviation in general.

You get a real taste for the history of flying when you can stand next to the first aeroplanes ever invented and compare them side by side with the very latest. Apart from the planes, there are thousands of other exhibits, from missiles and rockets to interactive flight simulators. You can even climb inside a 'touch and try' cockpit and feel what it’s like to be one of the Red Arrows when you take a flight in their Hawk simulator.

Hendon highlights

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The RAF Museum at Hendon is based on the site of one of Britain’s first airfields. It was the original London Aerodrome, and played a vital part during the Battle of Britain. With over 200 aircraft housed in its collection, you can get close to legends like the Spitfire or Hurricane, and modern jets like the Harrier and B2 Bomber.

The museum’s Our Finest Hour exhibition is stunning and lets you get a taste of what it was like to live through the Blitz and the Battle of Britain. Don’t miss the 100 Years of Flight exhibition either. It shows just how far aviation has come since the early years and you’ll be amazed at the aircraft some of our pilots managed to get into the air.

A full-size replica of the world’s newest and most technologically advanced fast jet, the Eurofighter Typhoon, is also on display at Hendon and has become one of the hottest attractions at the museum.

With all this, plus much more, including interactive displays, special events and new exhibitions, make sure you plan your visit soon.

Cosford highlights

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As well as hosting part of the RAF Museum collection, Cosford also plays an important role in RAF life as the home of the Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering (DCAE). Most flying fans will also have heard of RAF Cosford already, thanks to the famous air show held there every year.

Cosford’s collection of historic aeroplanes, memorabilia and vehicles has recently had an exciting new addition. The National Cold War exhibition opened its doors in February 2007. A huge display reveals the tensions that almost led to World War III, allowing you to see jets like the RAF Vulcan V2 Bombers and other hardware from the Soviet Union and Western powers.

The museum at Cosford also has a large collection of guided missiles dating from 1940 to the present day. Many of these are historic landmarks and the exhibits range from the experimental prototypes of the inter-war years (some made of wood and concrete) to current state-of-the-art technology.

One of the museum’s most popular attractions is the Research and Development collection, featuring some of the most amazing and exotic aircraft ever conceived. Other exhibitions include engines, aviation-related vehicles and RAF art.

Plan your visit

The RAF Museum has its own great website which allows you to check out its collection online. It’s a great way to look at the displays and plan your visit to either Cosford or Hendon so that you take in everything you want to see. Visit the site at www.rafmuseum.org.uk