Private Event: RAF Day
09 May 2024
Every year in May we close part of the Museum’s London site for one day to welcome RAF veterans and current serving personnel and to celebrate and commemorate with them their precious legacy. In 2024 this very special reunion happens on 9 May.
This day is a brilliant and unique opportunity for staff at the Museum to say BIG THANK YOU to RAF personnel from the past and present. As a Museum dedicated to the RAF, we can’t be grateful enough for all the help, support, invaluable objects and incredible real-life stories which the RAF provides for us so that we can share them with our visitors.
This annual event is also a chance to provide a space for you to meet old and new friends with a common bond. Perhaps you will use the day as a place to hold your reunion, perhaps a development day for those still serving, or maybe just a great day out. Whatever your reason for joining us on RAF day, you can expect a very warm welcome.
This year’s event will be held in Hangar 6, RAF in the Age of Uncertainty: 1980 – Today. There will be an opportunity to join tours of the Museum and plenty of spaces for groups to meet and chat or individuals to join in with others. There is a large car park and parking on the day will be free. If coming on public transport, we are a short walk from Colindale tube station. A programme of the day can be found below, and we very much look forward to seeing you.
Event Timings
10:00am – Doors open
10:00am – Registration and tea/coffee available in Hangars 3,4,5
10:15am: Welcome to our honoured guests from Maggie Appleton, CEO of the Museum
Talks and Tours:
There will be an opportunity to join some, or all, of our tours on the day (1 hr)
Provisional programme –
10.30am Cold War Tour
11.00am Royal Auxiliary Air Force Tour – Interwar Exhibition
12.00pm Spies in the Sky
1.00pm Cold War Tour
2.00pm Royal Auxiliary Air Force Tour – Interwar Exhibition
3.00pm Spies in the Sky
Over the rope (aircraft access)
Step over the barrier and up close to some of the stars in our collection –
Details to be confirmed
Food & Refreshments:
• Complimentary tea, coffee and biscuits until midday
• One free beer / glass of wine per person
• Cash bar (beer and wine) available from 12.00am to 3.00pm
• Hendon Kitchen restaurant (next to Hangar 6) – Open from 10.00am – 5.00pm
Exhibition Stands – Hangar 6
Various Service and aircraft charities will have displays and offer advice to Veterans.
• RAF Benevolent Fund
• RAF Central Fund
• RAF Families Federation
• RAF Museum
• Short Stirling Association
Plus the Veterans will also have the opportunity to handle some very familiar and not so familiar objects courtesy of the Museum’s Handling Collection Team.
Don’t forget…
• All guests are entitled to a 10% discount when purchasing refreshments from any of our catering outlets & from the Museum Shop. Please show your wristband at the locations to receive the discount.
• Free WIFI at the Museum
• Dress however you feel comfortable although if you are still serving, it’s always great to see the uniform around the Museum.
Please be aware that this event is only open to serving / veteran personnel and that you will be asked for your service number as part of the registration.
