Harrier and Nimrod added to RAF Museum Cosford collection

A Harrier and a Nimrod are just two of the planes which will be added to a Shropshire museum's aircraft collection in the months to come.

And the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford will also be welcoming an EAP aircraft - a prototype for the Eurofighter Typhoon - which is the only one of its kind throughout the world. Bosses say they will also be bringing a VC10 transport plane to put on show at the site in 2011.

Alex Medhurst, the museum's general manager, said: "The museum and the National Cold War exhibition continue to be as popular as ever.

"This August we had our busiest to date, with almost 40,000 visitors.

"Next year we are hoping to add to the museum's collections with the addition of new aircraft and we have some exciting events planned including an open cockpit evening."

This year saw the arrival of the Wellington bomber, a new director general, two new awards, a Battle of Britain weekend and the busiest August ever.

In May Air Vice-Marshal Peter Dye OBE was appointed as the new director general of the Royal Air Force Museum following Dr Michael Fopp's retirement after 22 years.

The Vickers Wellington Bomber took a road trip up the M1 in July when it was transported from the museum's London site, to the Michael Beetham Conservation Centre at the museum for an extensive restoration programme.

It was on display to visitors at the recent Conservation Centre Open Week which attracted more than 3,000 visitors.

In March the Aerospace Museum Society won the award for best friends/supporters group at the Renaiss ance West Midlands, best of the West awards.

And in July the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford was crowned winners of the 'small employer of the Year Award 2010' at The National Apprenticeship Awards 2010.

This year marked the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain and in September the museum held a special weekend which included Merlin & Griffon engine demonstrations and a flypast from a Dakota.

For further information on museum opening hours, call the Royal Air Force museum on (01902) 376200 or visit the museum's website at www.rafmuseum.org

By Lisa Rowley