Supporting Research

The Collections and Research Team offers support to researchers through the Museum's Remote Enquiry Service and providing access to collections through the Museum's Reading Room.

Please be aware however that there are limitations in place.

Key features

• The team will only be able to answer questions regarding the Museum’s collection or how it can help with your research. The team will not be able to do extensive research but enquirers will be provided with guidance on how to conduct their own.
• We will aim to respond to all questions within 20 working days.
• A maximum of 150 general research enquiries will be accepted each month. This allows the team to offer a more efficient service to our audiences while also supporting the Museum’s key development projects and promoting greater engagement through content creation for exhibitions and digital platforms.
• If the enquiry limit is reached, enquirers will be notified and invited to resubmit their enquiry the following month.

Our FAQs contain answers to the most frequently asked questions. You may also wish to review our research guides to learn more: 

Research Guide No.1_Tracing People - First World War

Research Guide No.2_Tracing People - Second World War

Research Guide No.3_Royal Air Force Operations and Unit Records

Research Guide No.4_Royal Air Force Stations

Research Guide No.5_Aircraft Service Histories

Research Guide No. 6_Aerial Photographs

If your question is not answered in our FAQs or research guides, please send an email to: askcollections@rafmuseum.org. 

To arrange an appointment to conduct your own research in the Museum’s Reading Room at our London site see the Reading Room webpage for more information.