Plan your day, see when the RAF Museum Cosford is open. Contact us on 01902 376 200 or cosford@rafmuseum.org
How to find us and travel to the RAF Museum Cosford by car, train, bus or bike.
Enjoy lunch in the Refuel Restaurant with views overlooking the airfield. The Citroen Van in the National Cold War Exhibition is ideal for morning coffee and a cake.
The Royal Air Force Museum Shop has a gift for everyone from pocket money toys to specialist aviation gifts.
A car parking charge Is payable
See what events are scheduled at Cosford
Find out the latest news and updates for our Cosford site
Plan a day, see the opening hours & closure dates for RAF Museum London. Contact us on 020 8205 2266 or london@rafmuseum.org
How to find us and travel to the RAF Museum London by car, train, bus or bike.
When you need to refuel during your visit why not visit the Wessex Café in Historic Hangars? At this eatery you will find a variety of delicious home-made offerings to suit all tastes and pockets
The Royal Air Force Museum Shop has a gift for everyone one from pocket money toys to specialist aviation gifts.
See what events are planned at our London site
Read the latest news from our London Museum
Lancaster Membership has been designed for people that wish to support the Museum from afar
Lightning Membership has been designed for people that wish to visit the Museum regularly
RADAR Magazine is a thrice yearly publication of the RAF Museum, bringing you access behind-the-scene
Two of our Trustees set out on an epic walk-a-thon in aid of the RAF Museum Centenary Programme.
Join the RAF Museum as a volunteer and create a unique experience for yourself and our visitors. Bring your enthusiasm, knowledge and skills or try something new.
Without you assistance we would not be able to care for our collections, read our varied audiences or share our objects with a world wide audience.
If you have any questions about supporting the RAF Museum, here you can find out how to contact our Fundraising Department.
The Royal Air Force Museum American Foundation ensures that the shared aviation heritage of the USA and the UK is kept alive in the memories of our two great nations.
The successful use of air power during the Jebel Akhdar Campaign provided the impetus for the formation of the Sultan of Muscat and Oman’s Air Force.
The 1950s had seen several challenges to Oman’s sovereignty, which led to the modernisation of the Sultan’s Armed Forces. This was driven by increased nationalism in the Middle East and the discovery of oil.
The Jebel Akhdar Campaign illustrated the importance of air power and an exchange of letters in 1958 between the Sultan and the British Government agreed to the formation of a national air force. The British Foreign Office agreed to fund it while the Royal Air Force would supply officers. This set a precedence that continues to this day.
The Sultan of Muscat and Oman’s Air Force was officially formed on 1 March 1959. Initial RAF aircrew, under Wing Commander Barry Atkinson, arrived at Bayt Al-Falaj airfield on 19 August 1959. While the Sultan of Muscat and Oman’s Air Forces early aircraft were not modern, their simple designs perfectly suited Oman’s rugged terrain.
Initial aircraft for the Sultan of Muscat and Oman’s Air Force consisted of two Scottish Aviation Pioneers (XL518 and CL554), provided by No 78 Squadron based at Aden, together with three Hunting Provosts T.52 (XF682, XF683 and XF688) delivered directly from the manufacturer. The Pioneers were the first aircraft to wear the Sultan’s insignia; the crossed swords and Khanjar (dagger) design.
The Sultan of Muscat and Oman’s Air Force operated four Pioneers before the type was withdrawn in 1962. Although its rugged short take-off and landing capability proved useful, the extreme environmental conditions created engine and maintenance problems. Four De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beavers (XR213-XR216), which proved well suited to conditions in Oman and undertook transport and logistical tasks, replaced the Pioneers.
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