What's On This Month, February 2010
The following events take place this month at RAF Museum London.
RAF Photographer of the Year
16 January - 16 April
Back by popular request, we will be displaying once again the "Royal Air Force Photographer of the Year" exhibition in Milestones of Flight.
Taken by serving Personnel, this exhibition offers the public behind-the-scenes access to the lives of our Boys and Girls at work, rest and play - both at home and in the field.
For the first time this exhibition will be displayed electronically in the RAF Today section of Milestones of Flight on glass panels in this area.
For further information, please telephone 020 8205 2266
Britain Loves Wikipedia
31 January - 28 February
Britain Loves Wikipedia is a scavenger hunt and free content photography contest running in museums and cultural institutions across the UK through out February. The aim is to increase the number of pictures available to illustrate Wikipedia articles, and to inspire new articles.
The themes for this year will be Communication and Love, Conflict and Transport, Daily Life and Freedom.
Which of our objects on display at our London site best illustrates these themes? Why not take a picture and submit it to Britain Loves Wikipedia? Which ever image from our London site is judged to be best by Britain Loves Wikipedia will win £100 worth of prizes from the Museum’s shop.
Also to give you a little extra nudge on the weekend of 27th & 28th February we will be offering all photographers at the Museum a free tea or coffee with each hot main meal purchased.
For competition rules and to download your voucher please go to www.britainloveswikipedia.org and get snap happy!
Douglas Bader Centenary
6 February - 31 March
Douglas Robert Steuart Bader was born on 21st February 1910. At the age of thirteen, Douglas became interested in becoming a pilot in the Royal Air Force and was awarded one of six King's Cadetships to the Royal Air Force College at Cranwell in 1928.
On graduating from Cranwell he joined No 23 Squadron as a member of the Squadron Aerobatic Team before losing both his legs in a crash on 14th December 1931 - the left below the knee, the right just above. In typical Bader style his diary notes "Crashed slow-rolling near the ground. Bad show."
Invalided out of the RAF because of his injuries the outbreak of World War II and the subsequent shortage of experienced pilots gave Bader the opportunity to do what he loved the most - flying in the RAF. Swiftly promoted to command 242 Squadron Bader fought in the Battle of Britain throughout 1940 before bailing out over enemy territory in 1941 and being imprisoned in Colditz after several escape attempts from various Prisoner of War Camps.
In this temporary display, located in Historic Hangars, commemorating the centenary of Bader's birth we examine the man, his achievements and will be placing on public view rarely seen artefacts including Bader's log book.
Love in the Forces
13 February - 14 February
Small display in Aeronauts of Trinkets and love tokens.
Children can make their own sweetheart token to take home.
Session times are 11.00 – 13.00 and 14.00 – 16.00.
For further information, please telephone 020 8358 4896.
Search and Rescue Week
15 February - 19 February
A week of activities exploring RAF Search and Rescue Operations enabling children to try on a life jacket and handle survival kit before climbing on board a real life raft.
Each Search and Rescue activity runs from 11:00 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 16:00 in the Whirling Rotors section of Historic Hangars.
For further information, please telephone 020 8358 4896.
Society of Friends Evening Seminar
17 February
In this seminar renowned aviation historian Douglas Downer-Smith narrates the history of the Heinkel 176 regarded by many as the world's first true rocket ship.
This seminar will also show rare footage of the Heinkel's development.
As we anticipate that there will be substantial demand in attendance for this seminar we are advising anyone wishing to attend to be at the Museum for 18:30.
The seminar will commence in the Museum's Short Brother's Lecture theatre at 19:00 precisely. Members of the public are welcome to attend and admission is free.
For further information, please telephone 020 8358 4876.
Bonhams - Pamplona Collection Auction
26 February - 27 February
On Saturday 27th February Bonhams will be holding an auction of the Pamplona Collection in the museum's Dermot Boyle Wing.
A private Spanish collection of motorcycles which spans almost 100 years of motorcycle development and comprises of over 100 machines, the collection will be on view to the public from Friday 26th February and during the course of the auction.
For further details or to register your interest please contact Bonhams' London office on 0870 0273 616 or 0870 0273 643.
Who Do You Think You Are? Live
26 February - 28 February
The Royal Air Force Museum will be exhibiting at the 'Who Do You Think You Are? Live' taking place at the Olympia, Earls Court.
For further information please telephone 020 8205 2266.
St David's Day
27 February - 28 February
Celebrate St David’s Day. Children can make their own dragon to take home and learn more about Welsh RAF personnel on our trail.
Dragon making session times are 11.00 – 13.00 and 14.00 – 16.00 in Aeronauts Interactive Gallery. All dragon making materials are free of charge. For further information, please telephone 020 8358 4896.
We make every effort to adhere to our published schedule. However, dates may vary without notice. Please confirm dates and times prior to the event to avoid disappointment.
