New approach until September 2026
Through the generosity and support of our audiences the RAF Museum is fortunate to have been collecting artefacts for over 50 years and because of this has a fantastic collection.
For the coming year we will only be collecting material relevant to the RAF Story from 1980 to the present.
This is so we can strengthen the collection and support the Museum’s Midlands Development Project (Midlands Development Programme – RAF Museum) which will enable us to share more fully the RAF story during recent times with our audiences.
We understand that many objects have a deep personal meaning and significance to families and communities. While we value every RAF story, this means that we will only be able to acquire material dating from before 1980 by exception or has national significance.
If you think your kind offer fulfils this criteria please complete our Donate an Artefact form and our Collections and Research team will be able to respond.
You can find out more about the Museum’s approach to collecting in our relevant policies, our FAQs or by emailing the Collections and Research team at collections.donations@rafmuseum.org
We currently anticipate being able to consider wider donation offers once more from 1 September 2026.
If you need to progress your offer to donate material before 1 September 2026, then you may wish to approach the Imperial War Museum, other UK aviation museums or local heritage institutions.
Unsolicited material
Please note that we are unable to accept items which have been sent or brought to the Museum unless this has been agreed with a curator. If you do you will be asked to take your property away with you. If an address is included it will be returned to you. If there is no address the Museum reserves the right to dispose of unsolicited items of this kind.
Thank you for your continued support and generosity which we greatly appreciate.