RAF Museum

Two Museums, over 100 years of aviation history ✈️. We are open daily from 10.00am. Entry is FREE. Get ready for take off!

[RAF Museum @RAFMUSEUM]

MIDS:🚨Traffic Diversion in place 22 June - 12 July 2026🚨

A new footpath linking Cosford Train Station and the RAF Museum Midlands is being installed from 22 June to 12 July, improving safety and access for visitors travelling by rail.

During the works, Worcester Road will be closed to vehicles, but pedestrian access between the station and the Museum will remain open. Our Midlands site will be open daily from 10.00am.

Visitors travelling by car should allow extra time for their journey and follow the signed diversion route via Neachley Lane.

To learn more and view the diversion map in full please visit :
https://t.co/fdWDs8BaGI

[RAF Museum @RAFMUSEUM]

🧠✈️ There's still time to join us at the RAF Museum London on Thursday 16 July 2026 for our free Dementia Friendly Tour, specially designed for people living with early-stage dementia and their carers or companions.

This engaging and relaxed 45-minute tour explores the fascinating story of the Battle of Britain through historic aircraft, photographs and hands-on objects. Discover the stories of Battle of Britain pilot Ray Holmes, WAAF Sergeant Joan Mortimer and pioneering engineer Beatrice Shilling.

💙 Enjoy a welcoming environment, gentle conversation, opportunities to share memories and a chance to connect with others while exploring our collection together.

🎟️ Free, but advance booking is essential.

👉 Full details at : https://t.co/6ynV6AMK5H

[RAF Museum @RAFMUSEUM]

🍴📅 Save the Date! Just 2 months to go until the Barnet Food Festival arrives at the RAF Museum London! 🎉✈️

Get ready for a weekend packed with delicious street food, artisan producers, sweet treats, refreshing drinks and live entertainment. 🌮🍕

🍰🥤 Sample flavours from around the world, discover fantastic independent traders and enjoy a brilliant family day out with our FREE Kids Zone, family activities and Museum access included. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦🎈

Kids go FREE, and tickets are just £10 for everyone aged 16 and over, making it a great-value day out for the whole family. 🎟️

Whether you're a foodie or simply looking for a fun day out, mark 12–13 September in your diary! 🍽️

https://t.co/iyOpYnCiFY

[RAF Museum @RAFMUSEUM]

During South Asian Heritage Month, we remember Lieutenant Shri Krishna Chanda Welinkar, one of the first South Asian volunteers to join the Royal Air Force, who ultimately gave his life in service.

Shri Chanda Welinkar was born in Mumbai (Bombay) in 1894 and read History and Law at Jesus College, Cambridge. He later learned to fly privately at Hendon, receiving RAeC Certificate 3327 on 10 August 1916. While training, Welinkar stayed in Booth Road, Colindale, a two-minute walk from the RAF Museum today.

Welinkar applied to become an RFC pilot, but despite his qualifications, was rejected. The young Indian instead joined the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry in February 1917 but was finally commissioned into the RFC in March.

On 10 April 1918, Lieutenant Welinkar was posted to fly Sopwith Dolphins with No. 23 Squadron at Bertangles, in France, during Germany’s massive Spring Offensive. On the morning of 27 June, he attacked an enemy reconnaissance aircraft that had crossed the lines, but his fighter was then shot down by a Fokker Triplane of Jasta 40 and crashed at Peronne.

Three days later, Shri Krishna Welinkar died of his injuries in the field hospital at Rouvery. After the war, a headstone was placed on his grave in the Hangard Communal Cemetery inscribed ‘To the Honoured Memory of One of the Empire’s Bravest Sons.’

#SouthAsianHeritageMonth

[RAF Museum @RAFMUSEUM]

✈️ Some moments are made for the big screen. This is one of them. 🎬

🎬 On Saturday 22 August at 7.30pm, lock in for Top Gun, then punch the throttle 24 hours later for Top Gun: Maverick on Sunday 23. 🌅🎥

🍿 Every ticket comes with a FREE soft drink 🥤, a bag of popcorn 🍿 and headphones 🎧 for crystal-clear sound.

The first 150 tickets for each screening are just £10. No second chances... so book yours before they fly. 👇
https://t.co/TnWIfQ2nfi

#TopGun #TopGunMaverick #RAFMuseum

[RAF Museum @RAFMUSEUM]

🧱✈️ Looking for a fantastic FREE family adventure this summer? Join us at the RAF Museum London for Brick Journeys – Created for Little Explorers! 🌍🚀

Explore 19 incredible brick-built models inspired by history, science, engineering and adventure as you follow our FREE trail through the Museum.

Pick up your trail sheet, uncover fascinating RAF connections and complete it for the chance to win £200 worth of brick products! 🎉

Feeling inspired? Visit our FREE brick-building station and create your own masterpiece before sharing it with us using #MyBrickJourney for the chance to win a special mystery prize! 🧱✨

Find out more and plan your visit today.
👉 https://t.co/3G38tR2WBJ

[RAF Museum @RAFMUSEUM]

✈️🌙 Tickets for our next raft of Hangar Nights at our London site are now on sale for summer 2026!

Step beyond the barriers and experience the RAF Museum London after hours with this exclusive adults-only event.

Explore legendary aircraft up close, enjoy rare cockpit access, hear fascinating stories from expert RAF guides, and capture unforgettable photos in a unique, immersive setting.

Our next event takes place on Friday 17 July and explores Britain’s Second World War Allies, featuring aircraft including the Flying Fortress and Hurricane.

With limited places available, early booking is recommended.
🎟️ Tickets from £100
🔗 Book now and secure your place at: https://t.co/s4CAuH9RQ9

[RAF Museum @RAFMUSEUM]

🌟✈️ Tickets are now available for our next FREE Little Swifts session at our London site! ✈️🌟

Join us on Tuesday 14 July for a fun-filled morning designed especially for children aged 2–5. Our Little Swifts sessions bring the Museum to life through songs, stories, movement, arts and crafts, games, and messy play inspired by our amazing collection. 🎨📖🎶

Led by our friendly early-years team, it's the perfect opportunity for little ones to learn, play and explore in a welcoming environment.

📅 Tuesday 14 July
⏰ 10.30–11.30am
📍 RAF Museum London

Places are limited, so book your free tickets today! ❤️
https://t.co/h2iOj6cbBZ

[RAF Museum @RAFMUSEUM]

@BigCAviation @SoTFest @THeadwinds Thank you for travelling all the way from Texas to visit - we know that we're not the only stop on your itinerary. But thank you for taking the time to drop in. We hope you had a great visit.

[Tim Robinson @RAeSTimR]

Do not miss! This Saturday - 75 years and still in use today - RAeS Aeronautical Heritage SG event: The Hawker Hunter – A Great British Success Story, 11 July, @RAFMUSEUM Cosford #Hunter #avgeek #heritage https://t.co/hHJSpa5u8n

[RAF Museum @RAFMUSEUM]

🛩️ Now available to watch on YouTube! 🎥

Discover the fascinating truth behind one of Britain's greatest engineers in our archived lecture Sir Barnes Wallis: Engineer Extraordinaire and Father of Myths, first broadcast in July 2023. 🇬🇧

Join Dr Iain Murray as he explores the remarkable life and achievements of Sir Barnes Wallis, and separates facts from the fiction surrounding the legendary engineer behind the "bouncing bomb" and other pioneering innovations. 💣✈️

Learn how these myths have grown over time, uncover the real stories behind his ground-breaking work, and even test your own knowledge along the way.

Watch now on the RAF Museum YouTube channel and don't forget to subscribe for more fascinating aviation history. 📺

🔗https://t.co/iDGzdJCCXy

[RAF Museum @RAFMUSEUM]

☀️ The forecast is heating up, so why not stay cool in true aviation style? 😎✈️

Take advantage of our fantastic summer offers with 50% OFF our Adult I ❤️ Spitfire T-Shirt (now £9.00), Kids I ❤️ Spitfire T-Shirt (now £6.00) and I ❤️ Spitfire Baseball Cap (now £7.50). Complete the look with a pair of classic Aviator Sunglasses for just £3.50 ( children only). 🕶️

Whether you're heading to an air show, enjoying a day out or making the most of the next UK heatwave, these aviation-inspired essentials are the perfect choice.

Shop the collection today at 👉 https://t.co/RT57GASzyq

For individual products:

Adult I ❤️ Spitfire T : https://t.co/gUyz8EvH72

Kids I ❤️ Spitfire T : https://t.co/bvavyVh82w

I ❤️ Spitfire base ball cap : https://t.co/KpDVc8Df3g

Kids Aviator Glasses : https://t.co/yIqQFRzNct

[Tim Robinson @RAeSTimR]

Reach for the skies! Celebrate the 75th anniversary of the iconic Hawker Hunter at @RAFMUSEUM Cosford, Sat 11 July with a special symposium of expert speakers - more info #avgeek https://t.co/hHJSpa5u8n

[RAF Museum @RAFMUSEUM]

Huge thank you 🙏 to our colleagues at the Chinook Support Centre (CSC) based at @RAF_Odiham for the love, care and attention they have shown the iconic Chinook Bravo November recently. 🚁❤️

The team has been working hard 💪 behind the scenes this year to secure obsolete, scrap or previously decommissioned parts, and re-fit Bravo November with many of the parts she was missing when she first arrived at the Museum back in 2022.

In January this year, the RAF Odiham based team visited the Museum and began work on the engine fitment🔧, installing the engines, Engine Air Particle Separator (EAPS) modules, tail cones and Infra-red Jammers. Inside, the cockpit was also given some attention with the Caution Advisory Panel (CAP) and overhead control panel fitted, along with blanks fitted to the centre console. 🙌

The team returned in June to prepare Bravo November for static display at the RAF Cosford Air Show ✨, re-fitting the rotor blades and an external rescue hoist pod, along with extensive work to the cabin which now includes a full complement of seating and a maintenance panel to the rear. Progress in the cockpit has also advanced, with all items held by the CSC being fitted, including Multifunctional Displays (MFDs), Standby Flight Display (SFDs), control stick assemblies, Line Replacement Units (LRUs), gauges, and remaining blanks fitted to ‘look’ complete.

These before and after photos 📸 illustrate the brilliant work carried out by the team, and we think she’s looking amazing. 🤩 Thank you to the team for all your hard work, 💙 and to Gareth Ballinger at Boeing Defence UK who worked with suppliers to secure all the cockpit LRUs.

🚁 Bravo November is temporarily located in the Museum’s Conservation Centre 🏛️ while work is underway transforming Hangar 1 ready for the new exhibition ‘The RAF: 1980 to Today’, where Bravo November will become accessible to visitors.

📍Visit the RAF Museum Midlands and see Bravo November in our Conservation Centre 👀 which is open daily until 10 July from 10.30am to 3.30pm. Entry is free.

[RAF Museum @RAFMUSEUM]

✈️ Just 1 week to go!

Join us on 11 July for our Hunter! One Day Conference, celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Hawker Hunter's first flight.

For £25 you'll enjoy:
🎙️ Expert speakers
❓Q&A sessions
☕ Tea & coffee
🥪 Lunch included

Book today!
https://t.co/98Y9776RG5

[RAF Museum @RAFMUSEUM]

🇬🇧🇺🇸 This American Independence Day, we remember Billy Fiske – an extraordinary American whose courage helped defend Britain's skies.

An Olympic champion turned RAF fighter pilot, Billy volunteered to serve with the Royal Air Force before the United States entered the Second World War. Mortally wounded during the Battle of Britain, he became one of the first American volunteers to give his life in Britain's defence.

Today, we honour his remarkable bravery and the enduring friendship between the United Kingdom and the United States. Lest we forget.

To learn more, please watch : https://t.co/dnSjnvlbHd

[RAF Museum @RAFMUSEUM]

✈️ Looking for a fun family activity this weekend? 🧩

Join us tomorrow at the RAF Museum London for July's Airfix Model Club, themed to commemorate American Independence Weekend. 🇺🇸

Young aviation enthusiasts can build their very own Curtiss Warhawk – one of the most famous American fighter aircraft of the Second World War. 🛩️

Each Airfix kit costs just £5, making it a brilliant hands-on activity for budding model makers and history lovers alike. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦✨

🎟️ Sessions are always popular, so book now and get ready for a creative day out at the Museum!

👉 https://t.co/GUkqw4QR6W

[RAF Museum @RAFMUSEUM]

Step onboard the VC10 aircraft at the RAF Museum Midlands for free until 10 July.✈️😁

We are opening the VC10 daily between 10.30am and 3.30pm for visitors to get a closer look inside! 👀💙
Plus, the Nimrod and Conservation Centre will be open at the same time too! 🙌

Entry to the Museum and aircraft access is free!

[RAF Museum @RAFMUSEUM]

@Jura_sik Morning, this is just a temporary thing until 10 July. We may do so again later in the year. Therefore, we would suggest that you keep looking at our website and social media channels. ✈️

[RAF Museum @RAFMUSEUM]

Fancy a look around a spy plane? 🔍👀✈️

Visitors at the RAF Museum Midlands can now step inside the Nimrod, an aircraft that played a major intelligence gathering role with the RAF. 🤫

Open daily until 10 July from 10.30am - 3.30pm, entry onboard the Nimrod and to the Museum is free!

Plus, the VC10 and Conservation Centre will be open at the same time too! ❤️🫶

[RAF Museum @RAFMUSEUM]

MIDS: The Sir Michael Beetham Conservation Centre is now open to visitors daily from 10.30am - 3.30pm until 10 July. 🎉✈️🫶

Enjoy a sneak peek behind the scenes while you can.

Entry to the Museum and access to the Conservation Centre is free! 😁

Plus, the Nimrod and VC10 are also open for visitors at the same time! 🙌✈️

[RAF Museum @RAFMUSEUM]

🛠️ Behind every museum object is an incredible conservation story... Discover how our volunteers helped conserve a Wellington's "Wimpy" Nose Art" and are preparing it for display this August at RAF Museum Midlands. ✈️🧵👇

https://t.co/K4DFFMaqb4

#Conservation #VolunteerLife