The museum
I. History of
the RAF Museum
In 1962 the Air Force Board formed a committee, under the chairmanship
of Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Dermot Boyle, to advise the Board
on historical and museum matters. Arising from the committee's deliberations
came a recommendation to establish a Royal Air Force Museum.
A Board of Trustees was formed to look after the Museum's interests, with
Sir Dermot Boyle as its chairman and Dr. John Tanner, from the staff of
the RAF College, Cranwell, as Director of the Museum.
Hendon was chosen as the most suitable site for the Museum as it had a
long aviation history and on 15 November 1972, Her Majesty the Queen officially
opened the Royal Air Force Museum at Hendon in London. On its opening;
Hendon's hangars housed some 36 aircrafts.
Over the following years, however, some 130 aircraft had been acquired
for the Museum. Aircraft not on display were held in what were called reserve
collections at a number of RAF stations around the country including RAF
Cosford. Other than on Battle of Britain Open Days at various RAF stations,
these stored aircraft were seldom available for public display.
II. Exhibits
and collection
The Aircraft and Exhibits Collection holds a vast collection of equipment
and artefacts covering all aspects of aviation history but with a particular
emphasis on the RAF and its predecessors. This Department does not
hold the uniforms, clothing, medals and decorations.
1. Aircraft
With the entire collection holding over 200 aircraft and a large quantity of
components, the RAF Museum has one of the most historically rich collections
anywhere in the world.
2. Engines
This collection is larger even than the aircraft it complements. It ranges from
examples of the earliest aero engines through to the classic pistons of the 1930s
and 1940s and then the early jets and finally right up to date with examples
of contemporary power plants.
3. Vehicles
There have always been more vehicles in the Royal Air Force than aircraft. The
Museum's policy it to hold a representative example of Service vehicles and includes
classics such as the Ford Model T tender and the Daimler Ferret armoured car.
4. Weapons
The Royal Air Force is a military service and a major part of its inventory are
weapons. Our collection can be separated into bombs, guns and missiles.
You
may contact museum authorities there.
The official website
of the Hendon Air Museum stands here.
Location information
The museum is located
at Hendon in London:
Grahame Park Way
London, NW9 5LL
Nearest undergroudn station: Colindale
Admission is free.
Open on Weekends & school holidays 10.00 - 18.00
Battle of Britain Hall: 12.00 - 18.00
Personal photography and filming is permitted.
