Prepare, Attack, Defend and Support
Discover 100 years of RAF history through personal stories, objects and changing roles.
StoriesFind out moreDiscover a century of service in RAF Stories: The First 100 Years 1918–2018 at RAF Museum Midlands. Personal stories and rarely seen objects reveal the diverse experiences of the people who shaped the Royal Air Force, from courage and triumph to friendship, loss and everyday service. The exhibition explores four essential RAF roles: Prepare, Attack, Defend and Support. Highlights include a Red Arrows pilot’s flying suit and helmet, an early aerial reconnaissance camera, rare Battle of Britain artefacts and objects connected to humanitarian and rescue operations. Together, they bring 100 years of RAF history to life.
Highlights
Red Arrows Flying Suit and Helmet
See the flying suit and helmet representing the skill and precision of the Red Arrows.
Flying SuitFind out more
Defending Britain
Discover rare objects connected to the people who defended Britain during its darkest days.
BlogFind out moreExplore the skies and uncover the immense history of the RAF
Book your free entryFeature people
Nicky Smith: Search and Rescue Pioneer
Meet Nicky Smith, Britain’s first female military helicopter pilot and a search-and-rescue pioneer.
Helicopter PilotFind out more
Sheldon Skeete: RAF 100 Years
Hear how Sheldon Skeete celebrated the RAF centenary through the sound of calypso.
Aircraft TechnicianFind out more
Balbir Flora: Representation in the RAF
Hear Balbir Flora discuss identity, representation and his changing experience of RAF life.
Warrant OfficerFind out moreResources
Share Your RAF Story
RAF history is made up of millions of individual experiences—and your story could become part of it.
RAF Stories collects personal accounts connected to the Royal Air Force. These might involve service, family life, friendship, training, travel, courage, humour or remembrance.
Explore contributions from people around the world and discover how individual memories can reveal parts of RAF history that may not appear in official records.
If you served, worked alongside the RAF or have a family story to preserve, you can contribute your experience and help expand our shared understanding of RAF life.
Share your story