Royal Air Force Museum London
Opened in 1972 by Her Majesty Her Queen and situated on the historic site of London Aerodrome at Hendon, our North London Museum is the only London attraction to house over 100 aircraft from around the world including some very early aircraft designs through to the latest modern day jets and military aircraft. With free admission plus free interactive and fun activities at weekends throughout the year - check our "What's On" section - our London museum offers entertaining and educative days out for all the family just 30 minutes from Central London.
Latest News: 20 August 2008
Set Course For A Trailblazing Exhibition
Saturday 31st May until Wednesday 31st December
Many people identify the Golden Age of aviation as the period between the two World Wars, a time when young men and women sought thrills, danger and, ultimately, international recognition through trailblazing aviation exploits that set the world alight.
This small group of pioneers were the first to conquer oceans and seas or just the physical and mental demands of long distance flying, without the comfort of the modern technologies that we take for granted today, making their achievements, for many, even more wondrous.
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Take a Virtual Tour of Milestones of Flight
Flying Horse Week Is Here! Fantasy Flying Summer, 18th - 22th August
As part of Fantasy Flying Summer we are offering all believers in flying Horse and admirers of the legendary steed Pegasus aged 3 and above the opportunity to make their own flying horse to take home and keep; and each day at 3:30pm there will be a story about Pegasus, the flying horse, who helps Bellerphon, the brave prince of Corinth, defend his life against the evil Chimera.
A small nominal charge of £1 will be levied for each child attending this activity. In return, they will receive a fun information booklet filled with activities and puzzles all about fantasy flight – including a dragon word search, “Find the Faeries” picture puzzle, plus the secret of how magic carpets fly, plus much more. In addition to this they will also receive all the materials that they need to make and decorate this week’s fantasy flyer.
For further information, please telephone 020 8358 4896.
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Learn more about our other summer activities
Aeronaut Olympics Are Here
8 August - 24 August
Given the recent successes of Team GB in Beijing over the weekend - 8 gold medals!- we felt it appropriate to mark this fantastic achievement to raise the profile of our own Aeronaut Olympics. Aeronaut Olympics consists of a trail containing 7 challenges that will test the physical dexterity, reaction times and agility of young aviators 5+ in a series of fun tasks which, in accordance with the Olympic Spirit, help promote teamwork and friendly competition.
At the end of each task team members will be awarded Bronze, Silver or Gold dependent on their success. At the end of the trail, each child’s medal scores are then totted up after which they participant will be awarded a certificate stating that they are a successful Aeronaut Olympian.
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Coming Soon - Battle Of Britain Weekend, 13th And 14th September
You are cordially invited to celebrate the achievements of the Battle of Britain pilots by attending an interactive weekend which tells the story of the “Few” who defended London in 1940 from enemy attack.
To take you back to 1940s the Museum will be providing a host of free entertainment ranging from concerts of music from the period as well as digitally re-mastered films in its 200 seat cinema. Free tours around the Museum’s Battle of Britain Hall, will give added insight into the heroes who defended London from the air, the people who protected her on the streets, and the communities who banded together looking out for one another and sharing what they had in the face of adversity.
Once we have finalised our programme of events, we will post further details on our site.
Coming Soon Magic Carpet Week - Fantasy Flying Summer
25th - 29th August.
As part of Fantasy Flying Summer we are offering, next week, all flying carpet fans aged 3 and above the opportunity to make their own flying carpet to take home and keep; and each day at 3:30pm there will be a story about how Granny flies around the world on her magic carpet, shopping for amazing treasures in all the places that she visits.
A small nominal charge of £1 will be levied for each child attending this activity. In return, they will receive a fun information booklet filled with activities and puzzles all about fantasy flight – including a dragon word search, “Find the Faeries” picture puzzle, plus the secret of how magic carpets fly, plus much more. In addition to this they will also receive all the materials that they need to make and decorate this week’s fantasy flyer.
For further information, please telephone 020 8358 4896.
Learn more about our Aeronauts Interactive Gallery
August's Podcast Now Online
The Royal Air Force has long played a key role in humanitarian and disaster relief operations, both in Britain and overseas. This podcast summarises the Royal Air Force's involvement in humanitarain operations throughout its history, in areas of conflict, natural disaster and major accidents.
Listen to August's Podcast
Navigator Online Collection - August Highlights
Navigator is the Royal Air Force Museum's online collection catalogues and gives you access to thousands of items from the collection. You can browse selected highlights, perform searches and view items in different layouts.
This month two new highlights have been added to Navigator; "Airfield Buildings" and "Hawker Siddley".
View Navigator Online Collection
Discover Us On Facebook And Become A Fan
We would love you to share with us your pictures and memories of our London Museum by joining our Fan page on Facebook; particularly if you have attended any recent events on site.
In return we promise to keep our page updated on a regular basis so that you are made aware of future events once they have been confirmed and to place regularly on the page exclusive images and videos of the people and events that bring the Museum to life. To reward your loyalty we will hold regular competitions and run special offers which only members of our Facebook Fan Club will be able to take advantage of.
All that you need to do is to login to your Facebook account, search for us under Royal Air Force Museum and start interacting.
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Go to our Facebook Page
Lest We Forget - Key Stage 1 And Key Stage 2 Activities For Schools
From the 3rd to the 11th November (excluding 8th and 9th), The Royal Air Force Museum will be running Remembrance activities for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 school groups.
At the end of each session children will be able to try on original Royal Air Force uniforms so, Teachers, don't forget to bring your camera!
As we expect these workshops to be particularly popular, we would recommend that you contact our Access and Learning Department at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment. Outreach sessions for schools are also available - Please contact David Keen on 020 8358 4851 for details.
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Book Your Lest We Forget Workshop
Dambusters Anniversary Publication Uncovers Hidden History
A new book produced to coincide with the 65th Anniversary of the legendary Dams Raid uncovers elements of hidden history crucial to the success of 617 Squadron’s attack on the German Dams in May 1943.
The book produced for the Royal Air Force Museum by Newsdesk Media Group is titled ‘BREACHING THE GERMAN DAMS – FLYING INTO HISTORY’ and has been written by Robert Owen, the Official Historian of the No. 617 Squadron Aircrew Association, and Richard Morris, author of acclaimed biographies of Wing Commanders Guy Gibson VC and Leonard Cheshire VC. The foreword is by New Zealander, Les Munro, the sole remaining pilot to have taken part in the epic operation.
On the 65th anniversary of the presentation of the Victoria Cross to Guy Gibson we invite members of the public to view our inciteful online exhibition about 617 Squadron and the Dambusters.
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Visit Dambusters Exhibition / Purchase Book online
Museum Honours The R A F's Diverse Heritage
The 22nd of June commemorates the 60th anniversary of the arrival of the Empire Windrush at Tilbury Docks in the East End, bringing with it the first of many groups of Afro-Caribbean immigrants who have so enriched the economic, social and cultural life of the United Kingdom since their arrival.
Amongst the passengers were ex-service personnel who served in the Royal Air Force during World War II, many of whom decided to make the trip to rejoin the service in the U.K. On this anniversary, members of the Afro-Caribbean, Indian and other ethnic communities may wish to visit the Royal Air Force Museum, London where the Museum is currently honouring the contributions that their peers have made to the RAF with a permanent exhibition “Diversity in the Royal Air Force”.
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Take A Virtual Tour of Historic Hangars
Introducing Our Operation Aviation: Birthday Bonanza
Do you have a young aviation enthusiast in your household? Are you searching for that unique birthday experience that will have them smiling warmly, when they recollect it in years to come? Then the Royal Air Force Museum may have the gift that you are looking for.
Operation Aviation: Birthday Bonanza is a unique 1 hour birthday activity suitable for children aged 11+ that will have them planning and executing a rescue mission to the trapped survivors of a flooded London, using aviation training simulators.
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Learn More About our Operation Aviation Birthday Bonanza
Operation Aviation - New Teachers Pack
A tidal surge, caused by a low pressure system, threatens to flood London. Thanks to a recent rise in sea-levels attributed to Global Warming London's flood defence systems will be tested to their limits. Accordingly, the government of the day has asked the Royal Air Force to develop a relief plan to bring aid to those trapped in the capital.
In this fun and informative pack teachers will be able to plan lessons before or after a visit to the Royal Air Force Museum's "Operation Aviation" activity.
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Record Breaking Legend Lands At The Museum
The Royal Air Force Museum is proud to announce the arrival of the Percival Mew Gull Replica, generously donated by the Alex Henshaw Estate.
Alex Henshaw (1912 – 2007), was a British Air Racer during the 1930’s and a test pilot for Vickers Armstrong in the Second World War. As a result it is estimated that he flew 10% of Spitfires made during that time.
Image: Mr Alex Henshaw Jnr reviewing the replica's interior.
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Learn more about the Mew Gull replica.
Royal Air Force Museum Hosts 90th Anniversary Celebrations
On the evening of Tuesday 1st April the Trustees of the Royal Air Force Museum held a VVIP banquet for the Royal Air Force at the London site.
At 1900hrs a BBMF Spitfire piloted by Squadron Leader Al Pinner did a flypast across the Museum site. This was closely followed by a formation of nine Eurofighter Typhoons.
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Our New Typhoon Cooks Up A Storm!
The Royal Air Force Museum has become the first museum in the UK to take delivery of the Eurofighter Typhoon. The aircraft, a prototype DA2, was successfully delivered to the Museum on Monday 21st January and is now on display in the Milestones of Flight Exhibition,suspended from the ceiling in a dramatic pose.The previous replica aircraft, which has been on display since 2003, will be erected on a pole out of doors at the front of the Museum. Watch out on the web for further updates.
Plan a day out at Hendon, RAF Museum London...
RAF Museum London, is one of the two museums housing aircraft and exhibitions which bring the history of the Royal Air Force to life. In the West Midlands - near Wolverhampton, the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford displays an equally large and important part of our collection.
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