RAF Museum Cosford: Open Cockpits Announced for Feb.9th, 2018

The TSR2 on display at RAF Museum Cosford. This aircraft will feature in the Open Cockpits & Cabs event at RAF Museum Cosford on February 9th. (photo via Wikipedia)
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As we mentioned in a previous article HERE, the Royal Air Force Museum will be holding a series of special Open Cockpit events during 2018 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the RAF. Eight events will take place, split evenly between their Cosford and Hendon campuses, and the first of these will take place at Cosford on February 9th. RAF Museum Cosford has just announced which of their museum aircraft will be open for a closer look for this first event, and it promises to be an extraordinary opportunity to get a glimpse inside some of the museum’s rarest and most unusual airframes.

The press release is as follows…

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

Aircraft available for close viewing on 9 February 2018 include:

·         British Aircraft Corporation TSR 2 (close view only)

·         SEPECAT Jaguar ACT Demonstrator

·         Fairey FD2

·         Saunders-Roe SR53

·         Hawker-Siddeley Kestrel FGA

·         Supermarine Spitfire I (close view only)

·         Messerschmitt BF109G (close view only)

·         Lister Works Truck

·         Avro Lincoln B2 (limited access)

·         Yokosuka MXY7 Ohka

·         Kawasaki Ki-1001b

·         Messerschmitt Me 163B-1a Komet

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 TSR 2 (close view only).  Although never developed beyond the prototype stage, the TSR2 (Tactical Strike and Reconnaissance Mach 2) 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, a subject of great debate to this day.

TSR2 XR222 on display at RAF Museum Cosford. (photo via Wikipedia)

RAF Museum Cosford’s spectacular Fairey Delta 2 WG777 high speed research aircraft during a rare outdoor excursion in 2016. The aircraft will be open to visitors at RAF Museum Cosford on February 9th. WG777’s sister ship, WG774, was the first aircraft to break 1000mph in level flight, and set the world absolute speed record of 1,132mph on March 10th, 1956 with the legendary test pilot, Peter Twiss, at the controls. The record was unbroken for more than a year. Interestingly, test flights in the FD2 led directly to the success of the Dassault Mirage III. (photo by Tony Hisgett via Wikipedia)

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, including those of Allies and our enemies.  Soon after the invention of the aeroplane as a controlled and powered machine its application by the Military became evident. From 1911, when it was first used in conflict, through the Great War and to the present day, the Royal Air Force and its predecessors have operated flying machines in defence of our country and freedom. 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.

Spitfire Mk.I K9942 will be open to the public at RAF Museum Cosford on February 9th, 2018. (photo by Tony Hisgett via Wikipedia)

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 Royal Air Force maintenance depots.  Aviation fans will also have the rare 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.

Messerschmitt Me 163B Komet wk.nr.191614 sitting beneath the wing of Avro Lincoln B.2 RF398 at RAF Museum Cosford. Both aircraft will be open for close inspection by the public during the open cockpit event at RAF Museum Cosford on February 9th. (photo via Wikipedia)

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!”

As WarbirdsNews discussed in the previous article…

The aircraft available at all eight events will vary, totaling 100 over the course of the year across the two RAF Museum sites. Just 300 tickets are available for each event and are now available to purchase through the Museum’s website www.rafmuseum.org/cosford and cost £13.50 per person which includes parking (minimum height restrictions apply).  Details on the RAF Museum London events are also available online.

Want to tick off all 100 cockpits?  Why not purchase our special centenary £100 ticket, giving you access to eight evening and 4 daytime events across the two sites, plus, additional time to enjoy all the events and a free copy of the Log Book with a saving of £62.50!

Attending the exclusive ‘Open Cockpits and Cabs’ events is an opportunity to raise vital funds for the RAF100 Appeal, which is a joint venture between the Royal Air Force and the four major RAF charities – the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund, the Royal Air Forces Association, the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust and the Royal Air Force Museum. The aim of the Appeal is to raise money for the RAF family and to create a lasting legacy as we celebrate 100 years of the Royal Air Force.

The Museum will close at 4.00pm, however the Visitor Centre and Refuel Restaurant will remain open for ticket holders and will be serving a special event menu, before doors to the aircraft and vehicles open at 6.00pm. 

100 Cockpits and Cabs events will take place at Cosford and London on the follows dates in 2018:

COSFORD

LONDON

Friday 9 February

Saturday 19 May

Saturday 15 September

Friday 7 December

6pm-9pm

1pm-4pm and 6pm-9pm

1pm-4pm and 6pm-9pm

6pm-9pm

Saturday 24 February

Friday 27 April

Friday 21 September

Saturday 8 December

1pm-4pm and 6pm-9pm

6pm-9pm

6pm-9pm

1pm-4pm and 6pm-9pm

The aircraft and vehicles open at each event will vary, totalling 100 across the two RAF Museum sites throughout 2018.

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