Princess Ann will next week open one of the most fascinating modern history exhibitions anywhere in the world. The Royal Air Force Museum Cosford is the host to the National Cold War Exhibition, the first major and permanent museum anywhere in the world to concentrate on the post Second World War non-action altercation, between Soviet Russia and the NATO allies.
The exhibition marks the largest ever expansion in the history of the Royal Air Force Museum and covers over 8,000 sq metres in a highly innovative building by architects Fielden, Clegg, Bradley with the exhibition designed by Neil Porter. The vast imposing structure takes the form of two massive concrete triangles divided by a central walkway representing the two opposing ideologies of the democratic west and the communist east.
A major feature of this unique exhibition is Britain”s three V-Bombers: Vulcan, Victor and Valiant, on display together under one roof for the first time, all remarkable aircraft in their own way, the Vulcan remembered for its single aircraft long range attack on Stanley during the Falklands War. The Vulcan was supported by Handley Page Victors, by that time designated for the aerial tanker role.
There are 17 aircraft on display, all in pristine condition and some hung from the building”s roof. To see the Meteor and Canberra you have to crane your neck somewhat or take the elevator to the viewing gallery. Not all the planes are ex-RAF. Symbolising our allies is a US-built F1 11 swing wing bomber, and a ubiquitous Mig 15 and models of Soviet block ”planes used by British military intelligence for radar recognition. Other facilities featured are interactive kiosks and audio-visual ”hotspots” that focus on key aspects of the Cold War including the Berlin airlift, the Cuban missile crisis and the space race. Sit down, relax and learn about Kennedy and Khrushchev.
The exhibition also includes armoured fighting vehicles, a section of the Berlin Wall, missiles, model submarines, an iconic statue of Lenin and life size Russian (Matryoshka) dolls. Symbols of everyday life include the VW Beetle, a British Mini and the East German people”s car, the Trabant.
The whole exhibition is designed as a learning centre for those born during and after the Cold War. The exhibition halls feature classrooms, which allow real time online access through the web. An especially dedicated website also features downloadable National Curriculum packs and online audio and video tours.
The Cold War exhibition is only one part of a complex that includes the story of Amy Johnson ”Wonderful Amy”, Geoffrey DeHavilland ”The man of the Country” and also his most famous aircraft the DeHavilland Comet, the world”s first jet liner, which entered service over 50 years ago. The three WWII hangars house over 60 aircraft including an Avro Lincoln bomber, successor to the Lancaster, a Foland Gnat in the original Red Arrows colour scheme and a V2 rocket that terrorised London in 1945. Also on display is the awesome TSR2 fighter bomber, one of three prototypes built of an outstanding design. When the project was scrapped by the Wilson government in the 1960s the word from the Ministry of Defence was for the aircraft themselves to be scrapped. One was destroyed on the Essex marshes but somehow the other two escaped the blow torch, a further aircraft at the Imperial War Museum Duxford.
The RAF Museum Cosford lies just off the M54 to the west of Wolverhampton with its own railway station. The exhibition is open daily from 1000-1800 including Bank Holid
ays with the last admission at 1600 (except on airfield event days); admission and parking are free.
Cosford has a sister exhibition on the site of the former RAF aerodrome at Hendon, north London, (Colindale Underground station) which also includes the Bomber Command Museum and original hangars dating to pre-1914.