The National Cold War Exhibition

With the first use of the atomic bomb on Japan to end the Second World War mankind demonstrated that it now had the ability to obliterate itself completely. Winston Churchill noted after the end of the War that an ‘Iron Curtain’ had descended upon the continent of Europe.

After experiencing over 5 years of ‘hot war’ conflict in Europe the Middle and Far East, there followed over 40 years during which the East and West stood either side of an ideological divide separated by the awesome prospect of nuclear holocaust; this was “The Cold War”.

In the initial years of the Cold War the Royal Air Force held Britain’s nuclear deterrent through its ‘V Force’ and ‘Thor’ missiles; that deterrent was later passed to the submarines of the Royal Navy. The National Cold War Exhibition highlights the ideologies of both sides, the social history of the era, the technological achievements which evolved from the competition between East and West and the eventual dissolution of the Warsaw Pact resulting in the world we live in today.

The story of the Cold War is therefore much larger than one of aviation alone; this national exhibition aims to inform and educate present and future generations about the immense threat posed to world peace and security during this significant period of the 20th century. 

See aircraft from the Cold War.

Cold War Medal

Did you serve in the Armed Forces during the Cold War? Have you applied for your Cold War Medal? Thousands of service men and women have applied for their Cold War Service Medal, produced by Award Productions. A contribution to the National Cold War Exhibition will be made for each medal sold.

Visit www.awardmedals.com for details.

Please note: The Museum regularly undertakes a programme of maintenance and conservation, so some exhibits or Hangars may be temporarily inaccessible. If you are visiting us to see something specific, please contact us in advance to ensure it that it is on display and available for public viewing.

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