The Royal Air Force Museum London, commonly called the RAF Museum, is located on the former Hendon Aerodrome, with five major buildings and hangars dedicated to the history of aviation and the Royal Air Force.
A second collection of exhibits, plus aircraft restoration facilities, is housed at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford at RAF Cosford in Shropshire, five miles northwest of Wolverhampton.
RAF Museum London Map
History
RAF Museum London was officially opened at the Colindale (then part of Hendon) London site on 15 November 1972.
its location is on the former Hendon Aerodrome that was an important centre for aviation from 1908 to 1968. Hendon Aerodrome was known as a place of pioneering experiments including the first airmail, the first parachute descent from a powered aircraft, the first night flights, and the first aerial defence of a city.
Over the years, the collection increased at the Museum, and aircraft not on display at Hendon were stored or displayed at smaller local RAF station museums.
Today, the museum comprises five exhibition halls: 'Milestones of Flight', 'The Bomber Hall', 'Historic Hangars', 'The Battle of Britain Hall', and 'The Grahame-White Factory'.
As of 2010, the museum contains over 100 aircraft, including one of only two surviving Vickers Wellingtons left in the world and the Avro Lancaster S-Sugar, which flew 137 sorties. It also includes the only complete Hawker Typhoon and the only Boulton Paul Defiant in the world.
RAF Museum London Address & Travel
RAF Museum London
Grahame Park Way
London
NW9 5LL
Telephone: 020 8205 2266
Car:
RAF Museum London is only 30 minutes from Central London. Follow the brown and white tourist signs from M25, M1 (Junction 4 Southbound), A41, A5 and North Circular (A406) roads. The Satnav postcode is NW9 5QW.
There is a large car park on site. Since 1st April 2010 a small charge will be levied for cars parking at the museum.
Rail:
Mill Hill Broadway is the nearest rail station and is a 20 minute walk away. The station is on the Luton/Kings Cross/Thameslink line. Trains are operated by First Capital Connect. First Capital Connect operates trains between London, Brighton, Bedford, Peterborough, Cambridge and King's Lynn.
Underground:
The Museum is situated at Colindale Underground on the Edgware branch of the Northern Line. Please alight at Colindale, not Hendon Central. Colindale is in Zone 4. See London Underground Map
Bus:
Route 303 passes the entrance to the Museum. Look at the entire route of the 303 bus on the TFL website. The bus stop for this service is located directly outside the exit of Colindale Underground station.
How much does it cost?
Admission is free to the RAF Museum London but there is a small car parking charge.
What are the Opening Hours?
The Opening Hours can be found on the official website.
For more information then visit the • Royal Air Force Museum London official website. Accommodation:postcode - NW9 5QW
RAF Museum London Photograph:
RAF Museum London - John Bilcliffe
Museum Aircraft
Hangar 1:
• de Havilland DH.9A (F1010)
• Hawker Siddeley Gnat T.1 (XR977)
• Lockheed Martin Joint Strike Fighter mockup
• Short Sunderland MR.5 (ML824)
• Supermarine Spitfire Vb (BL614)
• Westland Sea King HAR.3 (XZ585)
