Royal Air Force Museum Cosford

The rapid expansion of the RAF in the 1930s required additional aircrew and technicians to fly and maintain the aircraft. The Apprentice scheme was expanded and Cosford was chosen as the site for a new school of technical training.

The first trainees arrived at Cosford in August 1938 to commence their training on a building site. Furniture for the barracks had arrived from Halton and was put into rooms which were a long way from being finished. Even during the winter months, instruction took place in hangars without the large 'Eclair' doors and in classrooms without glass in the windows.

Wartime training was intense. Civilian instructors suddenly found themselves in uniform and were trained or 'refreshed' in Service duties. Cosford trained armourers, radar technicians and engine and airframe fitters throughout the war and the trainees included French, Poles, Czechs and Rumanians. Normal strength of the unit was approximately 9000 throughout the war.

No 9 Maintenance Unit was formed on the airfield in 1939. It was responsible for the receipt and despatch of a wide variety of aircraft ranging from Spitfire to Lysander, Hudson to Horsa glider. At its peak the MU was handling 400-500 aircraft movements each month.

The Aerospace Museum at Cosford was opened on 1 May 1979 and was born out of a collection of historic ground instructional airframes on inventory at Royal Air Force Cosford. Other aircraft were added to the collection from the RAF's Reserve Collections of Historic Aircraft scattered about the Country. The Trustees of the Royal Air Force Museum took over the management of the collection, under a Ministry of Defence Management Agreement, as a Museum independent of the RAF Museum at Hendon in London, and employed two staff.

The Aerospace Museum was not Government funded directly but enjoyed rent and rates free accommodation on the Station at Royal Air Force Cosford. The Station Commander was responsible for all costs relating to utilities, the maintenance of land and buildings and the conservation of the MOD owned historic aircraft.

The General Manager of the site was responsible for all other running costs and funds were raised from admission fees and profits from shop, café and events.

The Museum continued to grow until 1995 when forward plans indicated that expenditure would overtake income by 1998 if public facilities were not improved and visitor numbers increased.

Applications were made to the Heritage Lottery Fund, the European Regional Development Fund and an appeal was launched to build a Visitor Centre in which to accommodate first class public facilities and a conference centre.

In addition, an art gallery, a temporary exhibitions gallery and two other subject galleries were built making in all, a total project value of £3.6m and the new project was opened by His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester on 21 June 1998.

On 13 May 2002, Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Michael Beetham opened a new Conservation Centre named after him. This Centre is the culmination of seven years of planning to move the RAF Museum's Reserve Collection to Stafford and the Conservation Centre to Cosford, from Cardington in Bedfordshire.

February 2007 marked the grand opening of The National Cold War Exhibition, the first major and permanent exhibition to focus solely on the Cold War story.

For further information, visit the National Cold War Exhibition website at:

www.nationalcoldwarexhibition.org.uk

 

Revealing tensions that tormented the great super powers as well as the people of the world for a large part of the 20th century, this exciting new exhibition hall marks the biggest ever expansion in the history of the Royal Air Force Museum.

Covering over 8,000 square metres, the new landmark building is a highly innovative design by architects Fielden, Clegg, Bradley, with exhibition design by Neal Potter. It takes the form of two massive triangles divided by a central walkway, representing a world divided by opposing ideologies of the democratic countries and the communist bloc.

This unique exhibition tells the story of the Cold War period, from the national, international, social/political as well as cultural perspectives. The aim of the exhibition is to inform and educate present and future generations about this important period in modern history and to give a reflection of what life was really like.

A major feature of this unique exhibition is Britain’s three V-Bombers: Vulcan, Victor and Valiant, on display, together under one roof, for the first time. A number of the 17 aircraft on display are suspended in flying attitudes. Other innovative features include interactive kiosks and audio-visual Hotspots that focus on key aspects of the Cold War such as the Berlin Airlift, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the Space Race.

The exhibition also includes armoured fighting vehicles, a section of the Berlin Wall, missiles, model submarines, an iconic statue of Lenin and life size Russian (Matryoshka) Dolls. Symbols of everyday life include the VW Beetle, the Mini and the Trabant.

Education is high on the agenda and the exhibition hall features classrooms which allow real time online access through the web. A specially dedicated website also features downloadable National Curriculum Packs and on-line Audio and Video tours.

This project has been made possible thanks to funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Advantage West Midlands, the European Regional Development Fund, Bridgnorth District Council, the Rural Regeneration Zone, the Ministry of Defence, and the Museums own fundraising initiatives.

The National Cold War Exhibition is now open to the public.

Extracts above © 2006 Trustees of the Royal Air Force Museum

 

Having visited Cosford on numerous occasions, this latest visit has exceeded all expectations. The stunning new building which now houses the Cold War Exhibition is worth the visit alone, its unusual triangular shape was designed to give the effect of two opposing factions meeting head on, but as with all good stories it has a twist. Yes literally the building arcs inwards towards the centre, giving a smooth flowing effect, this creates stunning images as the sun glints of the steel coating.

The majority of the aircraft exhibits that were once outside have now been brought in, one or two have gone including the BAC 1-11 and the old Boeing 707, apart from this the Vulcan has now been housed inside the Cold War exhibit along with the Victor.

With aircraft hanging from the ceiling space, and parked all around the ground area, it truly is an aviators paradise.

Not to forget a stunning array of engines including one from Concorde, a magical display of model aircraft, old time automobiles, tanks and missiles including a massive Polaris on view. With ongoing movies and documentaries enclosed for group viewing's and enough information about the differing models on show to keep you there for days on end it all adds up to a fantastic place to visit out.

Shop, cafe and plenty of toilets/rest rooms amongst the exhibits, and if by some chance the kids get bored, there is an area where they can learn everything from what keeps an aircraft airborne to how an engine works with great hands on experiments for all to try.

Cosford has transformed over the years and if you live in the UK this is a must visit venue not just this year but every year!

And the cost? Believe me when I say you get all this for NOTHING, FREE GRATIS, not a pound or a buck!

Without doubt one of the premier days out to be had, educational and fun for all the family.

For more information please visit Cosford Museum