What's On at RAF Museum Cosford

Model Making Half Term

13 February 2012 - 17 February 2012
There’s the chance to have a go at building an Airfix 1:72 Spitfire safe in the knowledge that help and advice is on hand and that the kits and all materials will be provided. Sessions run from 11.00am to 4.00pm each day. Participation is just £3.00 per person and all modellers' get to take their model home as a memento of the day. (Activity not suitable for children aged 3 or under) Activity is subject to availability.

Thin Air Theatre Production

25 February 2012 - 25 February 2012
The RAF Museum Cosford is pleased to be hosting Thin Air - a new play by Berlie Doherty. A young man's dream of flight has ghostly consequences. Set in the shadow of two world wars, this haunting family saga is a tale of ambition and secrets and passions unspent. The theatre performance is suitable for audiences aged 14 years and above and will take place in the National Cold War Exhibition. Performances are at 2.00pm and 7.30pm with tickets costing £15.00 each £12.50 concessions. Tickets on sale now at www.wegotickets.com

Charity Abseil

17 March 2012
Fancy climbing down a sheer drop to raise funds for charity? Midlands Air Ambulance charity has teamed up with the RAF Museum Cosford to give brave supporters the chance to abseil from the viewing tower within the National Cold War Exhibition. Those who take part on Saturday 17th March will have the chance to climb down a sheer drop of over 50ft and descend surrounded by Missiles, Aircraft and Rockets. This will be an experience that has never been done before and is part of a collection of 21st anniversary challenges organised by the charity which relies solely on public donations to raise the £6million needed every year to remain operational. Registration is just £20 per person with a minimum sponsorship target of £100. The charity receives no government or national lottery funding so sign up and do something amazing in 2012 – help save lives. For more details and to register visit www.midlandsairambulance.com

Cold War Trail

1 April 2012 - 15 April 2012
The ‘Cold War Investigation’ trail guides children around the Museum’s award winning National Cold War Exhibition with a series of cryptic clues and quizzes. Each detective will need to correctly answer each of the questions in order to discover the name of the secret spy. So if you have any young detectives in your family and are up for the challenge, pick up your trail from the admissions desk on arrival.

Bike 4 Life Easter Egg Run

1 April 2012
Thousands of bikers from across the country are expected to join together for a massive ‘Ride Out’ in support of the RAF Museum and Midlands Air Ambulance. The fourth annual charity motorcycle run will take place on Sunday 1st April 2012. Motorheads from all over the UK will ride out from Shrewsbury Meole Brace park & ride to the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford in Shropshire on mass at 11.30am. To register for this event now, or for more information, please email: bike4life@rafmuseum.org

Shropshire Modellers' Show

1 April 2012
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 show organiser Gary Stevens on 01939 270481.

60th Anniversary of the Comet's 1st Passenger Flight

2 May 2012
Details to follow shortly.

Open Cockpits Evening

19 May 2012
Join us for a special evening where a selection of aircraft and cockpits will be available for close viewing. This is an evening event from 6.00pm to 8.30pm. Admission price £10.00 per person - Tickets are limited and only available to buy in advance from the museum. Please note: Minimum height requirement of 1.07 metres applies for accessing aircraft cockpits.

National Service RAF Association Parade

20 May 2012
The Museum is once again hosting the National Service (Royal Air Force) Parade and Re-union on Sunday 20th May. Gates open at 0900hrs and the parade will fall in at 1100hrs and march onto the airfield.

Half Term Diamond Activities

2 June 2012 - 10 June 2012
This June Half Term the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford will be celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee with a week of activities to keep the children entertained. Become a royal for the day by making and decorating your very own Crown. All the glitter and sparkle you need to make your very own diamond encrusted Crowns will be provided by the Museum, plus you get to take it all home as a memento of the day. The event will run from Saturday 2nd to Sunday 10th June 2012 and participation in the activity costs just £1 per person. Sessions will run from 11.00am-12.30pm and 2.00pm-3.30pm each day.

Queen's Diamond Jubilee Celebrations

2 June 2012
Details to follow shortly.

RAF Cosford Air Show

17 June 2012
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, 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 377 558 for details. (Free admission to the Museum is not available on these dates)

Armed Forces Day

30 June 2012
The Royal Air Force Museum Cosford is inviting Veterans, young and old, from all three services to join as one to celebrate Armed Forces Day on Saturday 30th June. During this special reunion, hosted by Museum staff, all Veterans will be treated to a full day’s programme of activities. In addition to this the Museum will be holding a raffle on the day with a range of great prizes available. All guests must pre-register in advance of the event. Register online here

Bike 4 Life Summer Run

1 July 2012
This is the event of the year and one not to be missed! Our second ride out of the year will start at the M6Toll headquarters (on the junction of the A38 and the A5 at Weeford) and ride out again to the RAF Museum at Cosford. With a rock band, fun fair and BBQ at the end of the ride, this will be a summer biker party to remember. Free to enter, you'll just be asked for a donation of choice on the day. To register for this event now, or for more information, please email: bike4life@rafmuseum.org

Large Model Aircraft Rally

28 July 2012 - 29 July 2012
Hundreds of scale models of iconic aircraft will be taking to the skies at the annual Large Model Aircraft Rally. This famous air show in miniature is an absolute must see for any aviation enthusiast, attracting in excess of 10,000 visitors during the two-day event. A family fun fair will keep the youngsters entertained throughout the day or why not try one of the aircraft simulators? In addition to all this, trade stands selling both modelling and non-modelling related items will line the airfield. Admission charges apply. (Free admission to the Museum is not available on these dates)

August Activities

1 August 2012 - 31 August 2012
Details to follow shortly.

Exclusive Gala Ball

8 September 2012 - 8 September 2012
An exclusive charity Gala Ball will be held on Saturday 8th September 2012. Organised in partnership by the RAF Benevolent Fund and the RAF Museum with support from RAF Cosford, the evening will start with a champagne reception followed by a formal sunset ceremony and four course dinner. There will be entertainment throughout the evening with an auction and a grand raffle, plus live music. A disco will also ensure that guests are having a good time and dancing late into the evening as the party goes on until 1.00am. This is a unique corporate entertaining and networking opportunity with tables of 10 or individual seats available. To find out more information or to purchase tickets please call the event organiser on 01902 377757 or 07539 521359. Alternatively email party@rafbf.org.uk

Battle of Britain Weekend

15 September 2012 - 16 September 2012
Join us for a special weekend to mark this important event in Royal Air Force history. Activities including: - Real life working Merlin & Griffon engine demonstrations (lasting 30 mins) - WWII RAF Group/Ops Room - Film Showings B of B Outtakes - Children's Activities - Wartime Classroom Session - Wartime Menu in Refuel Restaurant - Farm setting with animals from Hoo Farm - Military Vehicles - Full Size Replica Spitfire (charges apply for cockpit access) - Battle of Britain Veteran Guests Q & A Session

Open Cockpits Evening

22 September 2012
A selection of historic aircraft and cockpits will be available for close viewing for a limited number of visitors, allowing rare inside access to some of the World’s most historic aircraft. This is an evening event open from 6.00pm to 8.30pm. Admission price £10.00 per person - numbers will be limited and admission is by advance ticket only. Please note: Minimum height requirement of 1.07 metres applies for accessing aircraft cockpits.

50th Anniversary of the Cuban Missile Crisis

15 October 2012
Details to follow shortly.

Search and Rescue Half Term

22 October 2012 - 26 October 2012
This Half Term, children over 5 can join in a free and exciting activity in which both they and their friends will become active participants in an air sea rescue and discover how the Royal Air Force mounts such operations in hazardous conditions. In each session children will be able to experience what it is really like to be marooned in a life raft and will learn various survival techniques, with their fellow crew members. Participants will also watch a DVD of an actual RAF rescue and learn of some of the dangers of the sea.

Remembrance Service

11 November 2012
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 10.30am.

Conservation Centre Open Week

12 November 2012 - 17 November 2012
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 including the Wellington Bomber. Viewing is from 10.15am to 1.00pm and entry is FREE.