What's On at RAF Museum London - This Year's Events

Set Course For A Trailblazing Exhibition

31 May - 31 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.

In this the Centenary Year of British Powered Flight, the Royal Air Force Museum has decided to honour this band of intrepid aviators with a free six month exhibition. ‘Trailblazers’ focuses on four individuals whose courage, grit and determination captured the world’s imagination during the 1920s and 30s.

•Alex Henshaw, Spitfire Test Pilot and British Air Racer who flew in 1939 from London to Cape Town covering all 6,377 miles in just over 39 hours, a few short months before the outbreak of World War II.

•Amy Johnson who, in 1930, became the first woman successfully to complete a long distance solo flight to Australia – in a second-hand De Havilland Gipsy Moth.

•Francis Chichester, a superb navigator who, in 1931, was the first to make a solo east-west crossing of the Tasman Sea in his Gipsy Moth.

•Charles Lindbergh, the first pilot to cross the Atlantic single-handed in 1927, with just a compass and the stars to navigate his way.

On 31st May ‘Trailblazers’ will re-introduce these pioneers, their achievements and aircraft associated with them to a new generation of young explorers in the appropriately named Milestones of Flight Hall at the Museum’s London site.

For further information, please call 0208 205 2266

Battle of Britain Weekend

13 September - 14 September

Our Battle of Britain weekend will consist of an open air living history festival demonstrating the story of the “Few” who defended London in 1940 from enemy attack. Members of the public are invited to meet Veterans of this campaign and to watch costumed interpreters bring to life this momentous period in London’s history.

To immerse people fully back into 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 versions of 1969 Epic the "Battle of Britain" (Sun.) and perennial favourite "Reach for the Skies" (Sat.) in its 200 seat lecture theatre from 2:30pm on each day after a brief presentation.

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.

On the hour, every hour the Museum will show it’s powerful and emotive sound and light show “Our Finest Hour” which will explain the contribution that the Royal Air Force made to the defence of the capital and the South East during the Blitz; and the Museum has a special treat in store for all propellor-heads by having a working Merlin, the powerhouse that drove the Spitfire and Hurricane on public view.

In addition to this there will be a range of activities in the Museum’s Aeronauts Interactive Gallery where children will be able to make, free of charge, their own cut out and keep Spitfire as well as a fun quiz trail that will take them around the Museum.

Our Full Programme of Events will be posted on our London Homepage.

Happy Birthday Roald Dahl !

20 September - 21 September

Roald Dahl's name immediately conjures up images of late night childhood reading underneath the bed covers with a torch as he wowed us with his tales of The BFG, James and the Giant Peach, Danny the Champion of the World, Maltilda and the unforgettable Charlie and Grampa Joe in his wonderous Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Before he was a famous writer Roald Dahl was a member of the Royal Air Force during the Second World War seeing active service in Libya and Iraq amongst other territories. This September, to celebrate his birthday we will be holding a short trail about the Battle of Britain detailing the type of aircraft that he would have flown; and to encourage children to discover for themselves through reading the many treasures that Roald and other children's authors offer we are giving them the opportunity to design and create, in our Aeronauts Interactive Gallery, their own bookmark to take home and keep.

The Cultural Olympiad - Revealing Our Hidden Treasures

26 September - 28 September

The London 2012 Games are not just about sport. They will also celebrate cultures, people and languages – in London, the UK and around the world.

The four-year Cultural Olympiad kicks off on September 26-28 with a huge range of inspirational programs. Here at the Royal Air Force Museum, London we will be providing members of the public with the chance to see an exclusive exhibition which highlights some of the hidden gems from the Museum’s archive which are not normally accessible to members of the public.

Archive Awareness Activity - 'Community'

1 October - 31 December

Please note, this event is no longer taking place.

Halloween Activity - How do broomsticks fly?

25 October - 26 October

If you have ever wondered how broomsticks fly why not visit our display Aeronauts Interactive this weekend and find out? As an extra bonus we are giving all children age 3 and above the opportunity prepare for Halloween by trying their hand at making their own mini broomstick complete with witch and cat to take home and keep.

Broomstick making sessions will run from 11am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm on both days with all materials supplied free of charge.

What's On This Year, 2008