This exhibition aims to inform and educate present and future generations about the immense threat posed to world peace and security during the Cold War.
This significant period of the 20th century was a time of tension between capitalist western nations, including the US and Britain, and communist states in central and eastern Europe, led by the Soviet Union. It developed after the Second World War (1939-45) and was to last for more than 40 years.
The atomic bombs dropped on Japan by the US in 1945 raised the horrifying prospect that future wars could be fought with nuclear weapons. Both East and West raced to build ever more powerful nuclear weapons to protect themselves. This deterrent strategy was based on the theory that if each side could destroy the other, neither would launch an attack. Despite the rivalry, there was no outright conflict between the powers, which was what made it a ‘cold’ war.
In the early years of the Cold War, the Royal Air Force was responsible for Britain’s nuclear deterrent through its ‘V Force’ bombers. That deterrent role was later passed to the submarines of the Royal Navy.
The story of the Cold War is much larger than one of aviation alone; this exhibition also highlights the social history of the era, as well as technological achievements which evolved from the competition between East and West, through to the eventual dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.
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.
Sir Michael Beetham Conservation Centre to open daily from 29 June to 10 July
From late June to mid-July, visitors to the Royal Air Force Museum Midlands will have a rare opportunity to explore some of the Museum’s newest aircraft and newly acquired artefacts that are currently in storage at the Sir Michael Beetham Conservation Centre (MBCC).
The Conservation Centre will be open daily from 10.30am to 3.30pm, giving visitors a sneak preview of those artefacts being prepared for our latest permanent exhibition in Hangar 1 – The RAF: 1980 to Today, opening early 2028.
At the same time, visitors will also be able to step aboard our legendary VC10 and Nimrod aircraft free of charge. Details of what aircraft will be open and their opening times will be provided at on arrival.
The National Cold War Exhibition will be temporarily closed from 29 June to 10 July for routine maintenance work. This important work will help us further preserve the aircraft on display in this gallery and further ensure the long-term care of our national collection.
We look forward to welcoming you to these special behind-the-scenes experiences.
