What's On This Year, 2010
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
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.
Society of Friends Archive Film Evening
24 March
This evening, the Museum's Society of Friends will be showing a programme of rare archive footage, newsreels and RAF training films from 7pm onwards in our Short Lecture Theatre.
Admission is free and members of the public are very welcome to attend.
A must for any aviation buff or lover of vintage filmography these events are usually very popular. As our lecture theatre holds just over 200 people we would therefore recommend that you arrive no later than 6.50pm to avoid disappointment.
For further information, please telephone 020 8358 4876
Easter Identity Hunt
2 April - 5 April
Children can take on the identity of a member of the Royal Air Force with our Identity Trail. Each child who completes their trail and hands it into our Aeronauts Interactive Gallery will receive a special certificate, so why not pop in a find out more about your given hero or heroine?
For further information, please telephone 020 8205 2266.
Society of Friends Evening Seminar
7 April
The Fleet Air Arm - Training as a Fighter Pilot.
In this seminar John Croning will explore the arduous selection process and training program undertaken by the pilots of the Fleet Air Arm, using film footage.
This seminar will be held in the Museum's Short Brothers Lecture Theatre and is free for members of the public to attend. The seminar will commence at 19:00 hrs. As we anticipate that this seminar will be particularly popular we would therefore request that individuals wishing to attend arrive at the Museum no later than 18:30 in order to be guaranteed a seat.
For further information, please telephone 020 8358 4876.
Air Cadet Organisation National Marching Band
8 April
The Royal Air Force Museum is proud announce that the Air Cadet Organisation (ACO) National Marching Band will be performing two free concerts at the Museum on Thursday 8th April at 12:30 pm and 14:30 dedicated to the pilots, ground-crews and support staff who protected our nation during the dark days of the Battle of Britain.
Each concert will feature marches including 'Aces High' and the 'Battle of Britain March' and will include other timeless classics from the period.
Both concerts will be held on the parade ground outside the Museum's Grahame White Factory, unless it is raining. If the weather on the day is inclement both concerts will be held in the Museum's Bomber Hall next to the Hall's Lancaster aircraft 'S' for Sugar. Announcements will be made on the day by tannoy inviting people to congregate in the appropriate area.
The Air Cadet Organisation Marching Band is formed from cadets within the Air Training Corps and The Combined Cadet Force (RAF Section), the band was formed last year and performed at HMS Victory for its inaugural performance, receiving excellent reviews from visitors and press on the day.
Cadets in the band, whose ages range from 13 to 20, either participate in their Squadron Band or take lessons at School on their chosen instrument.
Many of the cadets will perform in a number of different ensembles outside the organisation and would have performed across the country. Being selected for the ACO National Marching Band or ACO National Concert Band is recognised as reaching the pinnacle of musical excellence within the organisation.
We invite you to come and support these dedicated young musicians.
For further details on this event call 020 8205 2266
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.
