RAF Museum London News

Set Course For A Trailblazing Exhibition

Saturday 31st May until Wednesday 31st December

Many people identify the Golden Age of aviation as the period between the two World Wars, a time when young men and women sought thrills, danger and, ultimately, international recognition through trailblazing aviation exploits that set the world alight.

This small group of pioneers were the first to conquer oceans and seas or just the physical and mental demands of long distance flying, without the comfort of the modern technologies that we take for granted today, making their achievements, for many, even more wondrous.

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Take a Virtual Tour of Milestones of Flight

Battle of Britain Weekend, 13th and 14th September

Battle Of Britain Weekend, 13th And 14th September

You are cordially invited to celebrate the achievements of the Battle of Britain pilots by attending an interactive weekend which tells the story of the “Few” who defended London in 1940 from enemy attack.

To take you back to 1940s the Museum will be providing a host of free entertainment ranging from concerts of music from the period as well as digitally re-mastered films in its 200 seat lecture theatre. Free tours around the Museum’s Battle of Britain Hall, will give added insight into the heroes who defended London from the air, the people who protected her on the streets, and the communities who banded together looking out for one another and sharing what they had in the face of adversity.

To view our Programme of Events please select "Read More".

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September's Navigator Highlights - Captured Aircraft and Seascapes

September's Navigator Highlights - Captured Aircraft And Seascapes

This month Navigator, the Museum's online collection, offers two new sets of highlights - "Captured Aircraft" and "Seascapes".

Captured Aircraft
Pilot error, forced landings and crashes meant that aircraft sometimes fell into enemy hands. These photographs show both German and British captured aircraft from the Second World War.

Seascapes
Flying boats were designed to take off and land on water and used their fuselage as a floating hull. This selection of Fine Art shows flying boats and other aircraft in flight over the sea.

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Visit Navigator Online Collection

Discover Us On Facebook and Become a Fan

Discover Us On Facebook And Become A Fan

We would love you to share with us your pictures and memories of our London Museum by joining our Fan page on Facebook; particularly if you have attended any recent events on site.

In return we promise to keep our page updated on a regular basis so that you are made aware of future events once they have been confirmed and to place regularly on the page exclusive images and videos of the people and events that bring the Museum to life. To reward your loyalty we will hold regular competitions and run special offers which only members of our Facebook Fan Club will be able to take advantage of.

All that you need to do is to login to your Facebook account, search for us under Royal Air Force Museum and start interacting.
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Go to our Facebook Page

Lest We Forget - Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 Activities for Schools

Lest We Forget - Key Stage 1 And Key Stage 2 Activities For Schools

From the 3rd to the 11th November (excluding 8th and 9th), The Royal Air Force Museum will be running Remembrance activities for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 school groups.

At the end of each session children will be able to try on original Royal Air Force uniforms so, Teachers, don't forget to bring your camera!

As we expect these workshops to be particularly popular, we would recommend that you contact our Access and Learning Department at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment. Outreach sessions for schools are also available - Please contact David Keen on 020 8358 4851 for details.

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Book Your Lest We Forget Workshop

DAMBUSTERS ANNIVERSARY PUBLICATION UNCOVERS HIDDEN HISTORY

Dambusters Anniversary Publication Uncovers Hidden History

A new book produced to coincide with the 65th Anniversary of the legendary Dams Raid uncovers elements of hidden history crucial to the success of 617 Squadron’s attack on the German Dams in May 1943.

The book produced for the Royal Air Force Museum by Newsdesk Media Group is titled ‘BREACHING THE GERMAN DAMS – FLYING INTO HISTORY’ and has been written by Robert Owen, the Official Historian of the No. 617 Squadron Aircrew Association, and Richard Morris, author of acclaimed biographies of Wing Commanders Guy Gibson VC and Leonard Cheshire VC. The foreword is by New Zealander, Les Munro, the sole remaining pilot to have taken part in the epic operation.

On the 65th anniversary of the presentation of the Victoria Cross to Guy Gibson we invite members of the public to view our inciteful online exhibition about 617 Squadron and the Dambusters.

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Visit Dambusters Exhibition / Purchase Book online

Museum Honours The R A F's Diverse Heritage

The 22nd of June commemorates the 60th anniversary of the arrival of the Empire Windrush at Tilbury Docks in the East End, bringing with it the first of many groups of Afro-Caribbean immigrants who have so enriched the economic, social and cultural life of the United Kingdom since their arrival.

Amongst the passengers were ex-service personnel who served in the Royal Air Force during World War II, many of whom decided to make the trip to rejoin the service in the U.K. On this anniversary, members of the Afro-Caribbean, Indian and other ethnic communities may wish to visit the Royal Air Force Museum, London where the Museum is currently honouring the contributions that their peers have made to the RAF with a permanent exhibition “Diversity in the Royal Air Force”.

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Take A Virtual Tour of Historic Hangars

Introducing Our Operation Aviation: Birthday Bonanza

Do you have a young aviation enthusiast in your household? Are you searching for that unique birthday experience that will have them smiling warmly, when they recollect it in years to come? Then the Royal Air Force Museum may have the gift that you are looking for.

Operation Aviation: Birthday Bonanza is a unique 1 hour birthday activity suitable for children aged 11+ that will have them planning and executing a rescue mission to the trapped survivors of a flooded London, using aviation training simulators.

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Learn More About our Operation Aviation Birthday Bonanza

Operation Aviation - New Teachers Pack

A tidal surge, caused by a low pressure system, threatens to flood London. Thanks to a recent rise in sea-levels attributed to Global Warming London's flood defence systems will be tested to their limits. Accordingly, the government of the day has asked the Royal Air Force to develop a relief plan to bring aid to those trapped in the capital.

In this fun and informative pack teachers will be able to plan lessons before or after a visit to the Royal Air Force Museum's "Operation Aviation" activity.
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Searching For That Unusual Present?

If you are looking for an unusual present look no further than the The Royal Air Force Museum's online archive print store www.rafmuseumphotos.com.

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Find that Perfect Propellor Head Gift

Record Breaking Legend Lands at The Museum

Record Breaking Legend Lands At The Museum

The Royal Air Force Museum is proud to announce the arrival of the Percival Mew Gull Replica, generously donated by the Alex Henshaw Estate.

Alex Henshaw (1912 – 2007), was a British Air Racer during the 1930’s and a test pilot for Vickers Armstrong in the Second World War. As a result it is estimated that he flew 10% of Spitfires made during that time.

Image: Mr Alex Henshaw Jnr reviewing the replica's interior.

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Learn more about the Mew Gull replica.

Royal Air Force Museum Hosts 90th Anniversary Celebrations

On the evening of Tuesday 1st April the Trustees of the Royal Air Force Museum held a VVIP banquet for the Royal Air Force at the London site.

At 1900hrs a BBMF Spitfire piloted by Squadron Leader Al Pinner did a flypast across the Museum site. This was closely followed by a formation of nine Eurofighter Typhoons.

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News

Latest News: 7 September 2008