About Us
Inspiring everyone with the RAF Story - the people who shape it and its place in our lives.
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Our Purpose
To share the story of the Royal Air Force, past, present and future – using the stories of its people and our collections to engage, inspire, entertain and encourage learning.
Our Story
The Royal Air Force has shaped our nation and our society. It has influenced how we live our lives today through its impact on world events, society and technology.
The Royal Air Force Museum was established as a legacy of the RAF’s fiftieth anniversary, opening our London (Hendon) site in 1972. From 1979, the Museum also managed the Cosford Aerospace Museum for the MOD, which had also been in operation since 1972. This was renamed the RAF Museum Cosford in 1998 when it formally became part of the Museum portfolio. The Museum also has two external stores, one in Stafford and another within RAF Cosford.
The Royal Air Force Museum is a National Museum, a Government non-departmental public body (NDPB) and a registered charity. Our collection is central to everything we are and do and comprises around 1.3m objects which we hold in trust for the people of the UK. Our RAF Centenary transformation in 2018 enabled the Museum to bring an additional 500 objects from our stores to share with our visitors – most of which had never been displayed before.
We are committed to using our collections to share the story of the Royal Air Force and its people. We are an educational charity and whether visitors are engaging with our displays, taking part in discussion and debate, studying our archive, holding a corporate event in our spaces, having fun at events and in our playground, or enjoying a rest in our café, there are opportunities for learning and inspiration in every pore of our Museum.
Our People
Our Board
The Board of Trustees steers our vision and ensures we deliver our mission as a national charity.
Meet our Board
Our Senior Leadership
Our leadership team runs the Museum day-to-day, guiding staff, sites, and collections.
Meet our Senior Leadership
Our Ambassadors
Ambassadors champion the RAF story, raising awareness and support nationwide.
Meet our AmbassadorsPartners and Supporters
Our supporters and partners play a vital role in helping us share the RAF story. Their generosity and collaboration help us care for over a million RAF objects, create inspiring exhibitions, and reach audiences worldwide. Together, we celebrate the RAF’s legacy, engage communities today, and ensure its story continues for generations to come.
Stewardship
Our Royal Charter
The Royal Air Force Museum has been granted the Royal Charter in our 50th birthday year, by Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who also officially opened the Museum in 1972.