What's On at RAF Museum Cosford

Women Of The Air Force Exhibition

10 February 2010 - 27 June 2010
A new temporary exhibition: “Women of the Air Force” dedicated to Women’s service in the Royal Air Force will be on display from Wednesday 10th February. The exhibition is located in the Museum’s temporary exhibition gallery, Hangar 1 until Sunday 27th June. Don't forget that if you are a woman currently serving in the RAF or who has served in the RAF, WRAF, or the WAAF we would love to share your stories with our online visitors through our Women of the Air Force Interactive Forum. To post your story please go to Online Histories

Conservation Centre Open Week

15 March 2010 - 20 March 2010
The Michael Beetham Conservation Centre (MBCC) is one of the finest aircraft conservation centres in the world. To enable greater public access and understanding of the centre's work, it will be opening its doors to visitors for one special week. Visitors will gain exclusive behind-the-scenes access to aircraft conservation work and have a rare opportunity to view current projects. Viewing is from 10.15am to 1.00pm and entry is FREE.

Rafa Easter Motorcycle Ride

28 March 2010
The Wings Easter Egg Run in Aid of the Royal Air Forces Association Wings Appeal will be taking place on Sunday 28th March 2010 at midday, where over 2,000 bikers are expected to take part. The run will be leaving from various venues including Newtown, Birmingham and Leicester and meet at Meole Brace Park and Ride, Shrewsbury. Bikers will then depart and arrive under escort at 11.30 at DCAE Cosford at 12.30, then visiting the Museum. All bikers are required to register on the day. The £5.00 per person registration fee will be donated to the Royal Air Forces Wings Appeal. Bikers must also bring with them an Easter egg to be donated to RAF personnel and their families and nearby hospitals. For more information please email dougie.bancroft@rafa.org.uk or peter.brocklehurst@rafa.org.uk, or call 0116 268 8757.

Step Back In Time

6 April 2010 - 9 April 2010
Make your own gas mask case and go back to school 1939-style; write with dip pen and inkwell, do £.s.d. arithmetic, fill in your Evacuee label and Identity card and take cover during the air raid. Suitable for children of school age and adults, children aged 8 and under need to be accompanied by an adult. All taking part will need to buy a ticket; it is not possible for adults to "just watch". Activity taking place in our very own Wartime Classroom. All children to be accompanied by an adult. Timed sessions at 11:00 and 15:00. Each session lasts approximately 1 hour. Tickets available from the Admissions Desk priced £2.00 per person. For further information, please telephone 01902 376200.

Shropshire Modellers Show

11 April 2010
Hundreds of models on display including examples of aircraft, ships, cars and commercial vehicles. Other attractions include club displays and trade stands. A tombola will run all day offering a range of excellent prizes and the show will also be hosting an open competition where modellers of all ages and abilities can enter their creations to win a much coveted award. If you are interested in having a stall at the show, please contact Gary Stevens on 01939 270481.

Step Back In Time

12 April 2010 - 16 April 2010
Make your own gas mask case and go back to school 1939-style; write with dip pen and inkwell, do £.s.d. arithmetic, fill in your Evacuee label and Identity card and take cover during the air raid. Suitable for children of school age and adults, children aged 8 and under need to be accompanied by an adult. All taking part will need to buy a ticket; it is not possible for adults to "just watch". Activity taking place in our very own Wartime Classroom. All children to be accompanied by an adult. Timed sessions at 11:00 and 15:00. Each session lasts approximately 1 hour. Tickets available from the Admissions Desk priced £2.00 per person. For further information, please telephone 01902 376200.

Spy Week

31 May 2010 - 4 June 2010
Take part in the free Secret Spy Trail around the National Cold War Exhibition. Your mission is to complete the trail answering as many questions as possible. Crack the code to discover the name of the secret spy. Pick up your trail from the Admission Desk on arrival.

Raf Cosford Air Show

13 June 2010
The RAF Cosford Air Show is the Midlands premier air event which offers non-stop entertainment both in the air with displays from a wide variety of aircraft and on the ground with hundreds of exhibits, colourful stalls and trade stands, military demonstrations and children's entertainment. This is a great day out for all ages and interests and not to be missed. For further information, please visit www.cosfordairshow.co.uk Please note admission charges apply. Tel 01902 377922 for details.

Armed Forces Day (formerly Veterans' Day)

26 June 2010
The Royal Air Force Museum is inviting Veterans from all three services to join as one to celebrate National Armed Forces Day on Saturday 26th June. During this special reunion, hosted by the Museum staff, all Veterans will be treated to a full day of events and activities including talks, special film screenings and tours around our award-winning Museum. The day will start with a drinks reception at 10.30am, where Veterans will have the opportunity to network and share their experiences. All guests must pre-register in advance of the event.

National Service Raf Parade

4 July 2010
The Museum is once again hosting the National Service (Royal Air Force) Parade and Re-union on Sunday 4th July. Gates open at 0900hrs and the parade will fall in at 1100hrs and march onto the airfield.

Large Model Aircraft Rally

17 July 2010 - 18 July 2010
An air show in miniature with large-scale models flown by enthusiasts from all over the UK. Gates open at 8.30am and the flying starts at 9.30am both days. Admission charges apply: Prices to be notified.

Glider Weekend

24 July 2010 - 25 July 2010
The British Gliding Association will be on site with a display including a one seater glider in the Visitor Centre and short DVD. Wrekin and Staffordshire Gliding Clubs are offering visitors the chance to buy trial flights at a discounted price lasting up to 20mins. This will be available from 10.00am to 3.00pm both days. Please note this activity is weather permitting. Choose from our designs or make your own paper glider.

August Activities

1 August 2010 - 31 August 2010
These family activities run from 1st - 31st August. All materials will be supplied by the Museum. Participation in the activities is £1.00 per person. Saturday/Sunday (Bank Holiday Monday) - Moon Machines drawing competition. Sessions run from 10.30am - 12.30pm and 1.30pm - 3.30pm.

Guild Of Aviation Artists Exhibition

9 August 2010 - 31 October 2010
The Guild will be joining the Museum in celebrating the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain with the creation of a special long term exhibition for display in the Museum's Art Gallery. Taking the Battle of Britain as its theme, this exhibition will showcase over 40 paintings, some of which, have never been on public display before. A range of subjects will be displayed, all of which will illustrate various aspects of the Battle of Britain, one of the most important events in the history of the Royal Air Force. Some of the paintings will be available for purchase later in the year. The Art Gallery is located in hangar 1 and is open from 10.00am to 5.00pm, admission is free.

Battle Of Britain Weekend

11 September 2010 - 12 September 2010
Join us for a special weekend to mark the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain, considered the most important event in Royal Air Force history. Activities including: WWII Historical Society Ops Room Re-enactors Lectures Film Showings Children's Activity Pack Plus much much more! For more information please telephone 01902 376200.

1940's Hangar Dance

18 September 2010 - 18 September 2010
The Aerospace Museum Society is hosting a 1940's style hangar dance, where guests are encouraged to don their wartime clothing and dance late into the evening, surrounded by a backdrop of wartime aircraft and artefacts. For more information and tickets contact Dave Leek on 07847 501935. Ticket prices to be confirmed. Please note as this is going to be our biggest and best dance yet, we will be closing our Warplanes Hangar in the days leading up to and after the dance for setting up and setting down. We apologise for any disappointment that this may cause.

Search And Rescue

25 October 2010 - 29 October 2010
This Half Term, the Royal Air Force Museum invites children over 5 to participate in a free and exciting activity in which both they and their friends will become active participants in a sea rescue and discover how the Royal Air Force mounts such operations in hazardous conditions. Sessions are at 11:00, 12:00, 14:00 and 15:00 each day and last approximately 30 minutes. All that we ask is that you report to the event co-ordinator 10 minutes before each session to avoid disappointment. Please note, younger children will need to be accompanied by an adult, but are welcome to participate in this experience. The day will run from 10am until 4pm. Entry to the event and to the rest of the Museum site is FREE.

Remembrance Service

14 November 2010
There will be a service of remembrance taking place in the Museum's Hangar 1 in front of the Comet with visitors, ATC and RAF personnel present. All visitors are welcome to join the service for this act of remembrance for those who lost their lives in conflict. Visitors are asked to assemble in Hangar 1 by 10.45am.

Conservation Centre Open Week

15 November 2010 - 20 November 2010
The Michael Beetham Conservation Centre (MBCC) is one of the finest aircraft conservation centres in the world. To enable greater public access and understanding of the centre's work, it will be opening its doors to visitors for one special week. Visitors will gain exclusive behind-the-scenes access to aircraft conservation work and have a rare opportunity to view current projects. Viewing is from 10.15am to 1.00pm and entry is FREE.

Wartime Christmas

11 December 2010 - 12 December 2010
Discover what it was like to celebrate Christmas during the Second World War. Children can come and visit our 1940s Santa in his wartime Grotto and have their photos taken as a memento of the day. You can even write a letter to Santa and post it in our special post box. The Museum restaurant will be cooking up some delicious wartime treats as part of the wartime menu, available in the Refuel Restaurant between 12pm - 2.30pm. More details to follow shortly. (Charges apply for some of the activities)