Online Exhibitions
The following exhibitions are available online only and are not on display at the Royal Air Force Museum.
For Your Freedom and Ours: The Polish Air Force in the Second World War
During the Second World War, the Royal Air Force welcomed into its ranks thousands of exiles from German-occupied Poland. Polish personnel served in all RAF commands and in all theatres, and earned a reputation for exceptional courage and devotion to duty. Tragically, though the Poles fought so hard to liberate Europe from tyranny, it would be many years before their own country would again be free.
Visit the Polish Air Force in the Second World War Exhibition
Taking Flight - Flying Training in the Royal Air Force
Using material from the Museum's Archive collection this exhibition highlights how Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force personnel have learnt to fly since the pioneering years of flight to the present day.
History of the Battle of Britain
In this online exhibition we examine the economic factors and political forces that lead to the outbreak of World War 2 in 1939 and the Battle of Britain in 1940, before examining the phases of the Battle and its importance in preventing the invasion of the United Kingdom by German Forces in the autumn of that year. To assist with the narration of this complex topic we have arranged this online exhibition into the following convenient chapters.
RAF PR Photograph of the Year 2009 Exhibition
The Royal Air Force currently has approximately 180 trained photographers all of whom have undertaken a 28 week training course at the Defence School of Photography at Cosford, which provides them with the skill and expertise to gain an NVQ Level 3 standard in Photography.
In this exhibition we show some of the work undertaken by these individuals as part of the Royal Air Force's annual PR Photograph of the Year Competition, whilst providing members of the public with the opportunity to participate in a new national photography competition organised by the Museum.
Douglas Bader: Fighter, Pilot
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 online exhibition we examine the man, his achievements and his legacy as a campaigner for disabled rights, through the on-going work of the Douglas Bader Foundation and a podcast about Bader's life, narrated by Sir Richard Branson.
Women of the Air Force
Over the last hundred years, the role of women within society has changed radically. This is particularly true in relation to Britain's Armed Forces.
In this exhibition we examine the various roles that women have undertaken during the Royal Air Force's history and how the role of women in the Air Force has changed to reflect the Service's requirements, at any given period of its history, and the erosion of gender stereotypes throughout the 20th and early 21st Centuries.
As part of this exhibition all women who have served in the WAAF, WRAF or the RAF are invited to record for posterity their own stories through this exhibition's interactive forum.
Lest We Forget
In Lest We Forget, we examine the sacrifices made during human conflict and explore the invaluable work of those agencies and support networks that bring aid and comfort to those RAF families during their time of bereavement.
We also explore the importance of Remembrance through podcasts and celebrate the life of Henry Allingham - much beloved, and missed, by his many friends within the Museum.
As part of this exhibition, family members of departed RAF Service Personnel are invited, should they wish to, to commemorate their loved ones by placing a short message and a favourite photograph in Lest We Forget's electronic Book of Remembrance.
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