RAF Stories: The First 100 Years 1918-2018

Situated in Hangar 1, this introductory exhibition is an ideal place to start your visit. Explore the first 100 years of the Royal Air Force through the stories of its people and partners from its formation in 1918 as the world’s first independent air force.

100s of new objects are revealed including log books, hidden maps, survival rations and mascots alongside aircraft, vehicles and boats from the RAF’s first century.

Opportunities to get hands-on include:

  • Could you have been a Women’s Royal Air Force Plotter? Set plots on an interactive Second World War operations room table
  • Explore Sir Frank Whittle’s innovative Power Jets engine on an interactive screen
  • Test yourself: test your reaction timing; test your multi-tasking skills; work together on an engineering challenge
  • Learn how to fly a Gnat in a simulator
  • Take the pilot’s seat in our Simulator Zone (£)
  • Fix a Sea King (under 5s experience): refuel, fix bolts and turn propellers
  • Sit in a miniature plane (under 5s experience): DH9A, Spitfire, Gnat and Sea King.

Large print guides are available. Below are the links to the electronic version:

This exhibition is supported by:

The BAE Systems, Heritage Lottery Fund, and Garfield Weston Foundation logos

With further support from:

The Rolls Royce Logo, Bomber Command Association Logo, The Mac Robert Trust logo, The Wolfson Foundation Logo