RAF Cosford Museum

 Monday 15th August 2022 at RAF Cosford Museum.

Today, we had a day off and took a taxi to the nearby RAF Cosford Muesum. The last time we visited was in 2016 and it was so brilliant that we've always planned to go back.

First order of the day was breakfast in their café. At 10am, it was fairly quiet but by early afternoon, it was heaving!

The first hangar is full of one off test aircraft made in the UK in the 1950s and 1960s, a time when UK aviation manufacturers led the world. The first aircraft in the hangar is one of two Fairey Delta 2 high speed test aircraft that were built in 1954. In 1956, Peter Twiss flew this one's sister aircraft from RAF Tangmere to capture the world speed record at 1,132mph. At that time, R was at school not far from the end of the runway and the whole school turned out to watch the Fairey Delta 2 take off on its successful record attempt. (M: how lucky was R to see that!)

The test hangar is one of R's favourites because every aircraft in it is iconic. Such a shame that all that expertise was thrown away or given away by successive governments.

The next hangar covers the Second World War and included this Bolton Paul Defiant. Not a very successful aircraft, as it was too slow and could really only shoot backwards or upwards; however, it did have a fairly successful career as a night fighter. Its special place here is because it was built in a factory next to the canal just a couple of miles north of where we are moored now.

The large Lincoln bomber, never had quite the impact of the Lancaster but served with destinction in the war. And it's HUGE!

This family wanted to be photographed in the Lincoln's bomb bay. Mum, three boys and a fourth boy on the way, due on R's birthday!

The third hangar is called the Cold War Hangar as it documents the post war Cold War period. Even from the outside it is very impressive.

As many vistors weren't born by the time of the Cold War, it has a series of tableaux that describe the differences at the time between East and West. Each tableau looks at a different aspect such as Sport, the Arts, Science, Education, Family Life, Media, Space, Government etc. This (below) was something of a summary, West and East. Sadly, currently one might also say: the US Constitution on the left and Trump on the right!

There was also indications of "Detente" such as Rudolf Nureyev dancing with Margot Fonteyn in 1962. A Russian defector teaming up with a Reigate girl!

Impressively, as you enter, there is a Valiant, Victor and Vulcan tucked in the corner with a Hunter, Sabre and Lightning above them. The Lightning, appropriately, is going straight up, as it could actually go supersonic in a vertical climb - amazing!

The Victor tanker was named "Maid Marian" and the Maid was displaying rather more than her dignity. R ribbed M about it!

The last hangar had some more modern aircraft including the most famous Chinook helicopter in the RAF. It was one of four sent to the Falklands. The other three were lost on the "Atlantic Conveyor", so this was the only one to survive and was very much used. Pilots flying this helicopter in the Falklands at various times earned three DFC medals for their bravery.

The Harrier is one of M's favourites, this one also served in the Falklands War.

Finally, there was James May's Spitfire. This was made by James and a bunch of school children for a TV programme. It was made in three days from a "plastic kit" of parts just like an Airfix model, but full size! There is even a full sized "model" of James May sitting in the foreground.

Just a wonderful day out and a fantastic museum, well worth a visit if anyone is anywhere near it. There is no entry charge (a rarity these days), although there is a charge if you want to park your car. And for any gardening enthusiasts, David Austin Roses and its fabulous gardens, is only a mile or so away!

Today MM had the day off.