Imagine the roar of engines. The Royal Air Force Museum London stands before us. It is a tribute to the history of aviation and the Royal Air Force.
The RAF Museum resides on the former Hendon Aerodrome. This site has a rich history dating back to 1911. Claude Grahame-White acquired it as one of the first civilian airfields. In 1914, the aerodrome was requisitioned for Home Defence during World War I. Hendon became a Royal Naval Air Station. It trained new pilots. After the Great War, operations ceased. From 1927 to 1939, Hendon housed No. 601 Squadron. They were nicknamed the Millionaires’ Squadron. Its volunteers were wealthy and upper class. In 1939, war broke out again. Hendon became an operational RAF station again. It briefly served as a fighter station during the Battle of Britain.
The last fixed-wing aircraft flight to Hendon was on June 19, 1968. A Blackburn Beverley was delivered to the museum. The museum’s royal opening was in 1972. Soon after, the runways were removed. The Grahame Park Housing Estate was built. RAF Hendon officially closed on April 1, 1987.
Queen Elizabeth II opened the RAF Museum in 1972. It was located in Colindale. The hangars housed 36 aircraft at the opening. The collection has grown substantially. Aircraft not on display were stored or displayed at smaller RAF station museums.
Dr. John Tanner was the museum’s first director. He retired in 1987. Dr. Michael A. Fopp became director general in 1988. He oversaw all three sites. These were London, Cosford, and Stafford. Peter Dye replaced Fopp in 2010. Maggie Appleton was appointed CEO in October 2014.
The Battle of Britain Museum opened in 1978. Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother opened it. It closed for refurbishment in 2016. The London site has been regularly expanded. Landscaping illustrates the former Hendon airfield. This is now a heavily urbanised area.
As of 2012, the RAF Museum held over 100 aircraft. This included the Avro Lancaster S-Sugar. It flew 137 night sorties. The museum also has the only complete Hawker Typhoon. A Westland Sea King helicopter joined the collection in 2018. Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, once flew it. A Gnat jet trainer of the Red Arrows is also on display. A full-scale mock-up of the F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter is present too.
The Royal Air Force Museum London is displayed over six hangars.
Hangar 1 features RAF Stories and First to the Future exhibitions. These opened in 2018 to commemorate the RAF centenary. RAF Stories covers the RAF’s first 100 years. It explores the roles of RAF personnel and changes in technology.
Hangar 2, the Grahame-White Factory, shows the earliest days of flight. It traces the history from The London Aerodrome to the formation of the Royal Air Force in 1918.
Hangars 3 and 4, the Historic Hangars, focus on aircraft of the Second World War and the Cold War. They include Battle of Britain fighter aircraft. See the Hawker Hurricane, Messerschmitt Bf 109, and Supermarine Spitfire. Helicopters and Cold War jet aircraft are also present.
Hangar 5 is the Bomber Hall. It shows German Junkers Ju 87 Stuka and Heinkel He 111 bombers. These types were used during the Battle of Britain.
Hangar 6, RAF in an Age of Uncertainty, covers the RAF from 1980 to the 21st century.
The RAF Museum also contains a public restaurant. It is built within a 1930s mess store building. A children’s play area is next to it. It features mini RAF aircraft, vehicles, and buildings. The museum’s archives are on the top floor of Hangars 3/4/5.
Step inside the RAF Museum. Explore the remarkable history of flight. Experience the dedication and bravery of the Royal Air Force. From early aviation to modern air power, the museum offers a comprehensive and engaging journey through time.