Online Exhibitions
The following exhibitions are available online only and are not on display at the Royal Air Force Museum.
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.
Americans in the Royal Air Force
In this exhibition we honour those American pilots who joined the Royal Air Force to defend the United Kingdom during the First and Second World Wars - men such as Olympian and Playboy Billy Fiske "an American Citizen, who died that England might live" and women such as Jackie Cochrane who were instrumental in sourcing American female pilots for the Air Transport Auxiliary.
As part of this exhibition we also invite any Americans who have served in or participated in exercises with the RAF to record for posterity their own stories of through this exhibition's interactive forum; and ask all our online visitors, if they have stories about American RAF personnel that they would like to recount, to share them with our audience.
Alex Henshaw - Flying Legend - A Life in Art
This exhibition tells the story of intrepid Spitfire test-pilot Alex Henshaw from his early racing days to his pioneering work with Vickers- Supermarine through the paintings of professional artist and Henshaw's close personal friend Michael Turner.
Here, we show a selection of the works which Turner previously displayed in the Museum's Milestones of Flight Gallery until May 2009.
617 Squadron and the Dams Raid
To mark the recent anniversary of the "Dam Busters" Raid, the RAF Museum presents a fascinating look into its archive - from Barnes Wallis' designs for the "Bouncing Bomb" to personal accounts from the people involved.
Freedom & Liberty
This exhibition focuses on the ways in which the RAF, during the Second World War, defended the freedom and liberties of British citizens and helped to liberate people in occupied countries. It has also highlighted how the men and women, who served in the RAF and WAAF surrendered some personal freedom but gained certain liberties as a result of their service.
Aviation History Timeline
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of powered flight, we published an interactive timeline of milestones in British Military, British Civil and World Aviation over the last century, to complement the Milestones of Flight Exhibition at RAF Museum London.
Wonderful Amy!
Amy Johnson became world famous overnight, when she became the first woman to fly solo to Australia. This exhibition explores the material in our archives that tells her story.
De Havilland - The Man and the Company
Geoffrey de Havilland was one of the great pioneers of aviation. This exhibition highlights some of the work undertaken by de Havilland during his long career in aviation, from the early days in Hampshire to the take-over of his company by Hawker Siddeley.
Kings, Queens & Flying Machines
A photographic exhibition showing the connection between flying and the Royal Family. To find about more about Royalty and flying visit the Westland Wessex, which was formerly of the Queen's Flight.
Worth a Thousand Words - Air Diagrams
An exhibition of Air Diagrams - posters produced for use in the training of air and ground crews.
Not Quite Extinct!
Our collection includes some surprising relics of otherwise lost aircraft. Here are a few examples, featuring various members of the RAF's former interwar 'cloth bomber' fleet.
Battle of Britain Class Locomotive Plates
The RAF Museum holds a collection of nameplates for steam locomotives, named after famous airfields, aircraft and squadrons as a tribute to the part they played in The Battle of Britain.
Comet - The World's First Jet Airliner
The story of the World's first jet airliner, retold fifty years after it first entered service. If you enjoy the exhibition, you can visit our de Havilland Comet at RAF Museum Cosford
The Art of Sergeant Elva Blacker
A selection of works by Elva Blacker, a Sergeant in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force during the Second World War, from the Museum's Fine Art Collection.
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