Shropshire Star

Rare chance to look inside cockpits at RAF Museum Cosford

Aviation fans have a rare chance to get a closer look inside historic cockpits and vehicles at the RAF Museum in Cosford next month.

Published
Pictured from left, David Moorhouse, Alisdair Wilson and James Moorhouse, from Alsager, near Crewe, inspect the British Aircraft Corporation TSR 2 during an open cockpit event at the RAF Museum in Cosford last year

This year, the RAF Museum is offering visitors the chance to look inside 100 cockpits and vehicles from the collection across both its sites at Cosford and London.

There will be a series of eight events throughout 2018 to celebrate the RAF's centenary.

Visitors will be able to access more of the museum’s historic aircraft and vehicle collection than ever before.

The first of four dates at Cosford will be held on February 9, themed around the unique test flight collection and a collection of Second World War, British, German and Japanese aircraft.

The test flight group of aircraft were built to test a new theory or line of research and many were produced in secrecy, often utilising components borrowed from other types.

These were the machines that helped Britain open new frontiers of flight.

Aircraft on the night include the British Aircraft Corporation Tactical Strike and Reconnaissance Mach 2 (TSR 2).

Although never developed beyond the prototype stage, the TSR2 was one of the most exciting and controversial British combat aircraft designs of the 1960s.

Initial reports indicated that the TSR2 was an outstanding technical success, however political opposition to the project led to it being cancelled.

Other unique airframes open on the night include the SEPECAT Jaguar ACT Demonstrator, Fairey FD2, Saunders-Roe SR53, and the Hawker-Siddeley Kestrel FGA.

The event theme also extends to include a selection of the museum's unique collection of fighters and bombers.

The War in the Air collection at Cosford is home to the world's oldest Supermarine Spitfire 1 K9942, one of several aircraft open on the night for enthusiasts to enjoy a closer view.

In addition, the Messerschmitt BF109G, the backbone of the German Air Force's day fighter force will be open for a close view, along with the Lister Works Truck, used throughout RAF maintenance depots.

Visitors will also have an opportunity to step inside the Avro Lincoln B2, Yokosuka MXY7 Ohka, Kawasaki Ki-1001b and the Messerschmitt Me 163B-1a Komet during the February event.

RAF Museum Cosford public events manager, Abi Betteridge said: “This is the first of a programme of events this year to celebrate the Royal Air Force centenary.

"How better to celebrate 100 years of the RAF than giving visitors access to 100 aircraft and vehicles spanning the services entire career?

"Across our two public sites we have over 200 aircraft, tanks and vehicles on display and we’ve selected 100 that we believe visitors will be keen to get a closer look inside.

"To make sure visitors get the most out of the event, there will be a large team of volunteers manning each aircraft and available to answer any questions.

"We have also produced a special log book which can be purchased in advance, allowing ticket holders to keep a record of the aircraft and vehicles they have accessed during the event."

The aircraft available at all eight events will vary, totalling 100 over the course of the year across the two RAF Museum sites.

There will only be 300 tickets available for each event and they are available to buy through the museum’s website at www.rafmuseum.org/cosford

Tickets cost £13.50, which includes parking.

The event on February 9 takes place from 6pm to 9pm.