Royal Air Force Museum London

Why go

A second collection of exhibits, plus aircraft restoration facilities, is housed at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford at RAF Cosford in Shropshire, five miles northwest of Wolverhampton. The museum was officially opened at the Colindale London site on 15 November 1972 by Queen Elizabeth II.

What to look for

• The first Director of the Museum was Dr John Tanner who retired in 1987.
• Retired Air Vice-Marshal Peter Dye replaced Fopp as Director General on 9 June 2010.
• In October 2014, it was announced that Maggie Appleton was to be appointed as CEO of the museum.

The full story

The hangars housed 36 aircraft at opening. Over the years, the collection increased, and aircraft not on display at Hendon were stored or displayed at smaller local RAF station museums. Fopp (who had previously directed the London Transport Museum) was appointed Director General of all three sites operated by the Museum. Appleton took up the new role in January 2015, a departure from the traditional role of Director General which was held by Peter Dye until his retirement in late 2014. Description The Royal Air Force Museum London comprises five exhibition halls: Milestones of Flight The Bomber Hall Historic Hangars The Battle of Britain Hall The Grahame-White Factory As of 2010, it had over 100 aircraft, including one of only two surviving Vickers Wellingtons left in the world and the Avro Lancaster S-Sugar, which flew 137 sorties.

Useful to know

• Confirm current admission and opening times before leaving.

Your next visit

Estimated · Declared scenario and planning estimates; no live opening, weather, queue or booking service.