RAF centenary celebrations begin this weekend!
Published on: 28 March 2018
The Royal Air Force Museum Midlands will be celebrating 100 years of the Royal Air Force (RAF) with a nostalgic Bank Holiday weekend event taking place on 1 and 2 April 2018, alongside a new display marking the service’s first 100 years and the launch of the centenary year Spitfire 100K Challenge.
100 YEARS OF THE RAF FESTIVAL –
Date: 1 – 2 April 2018 / Time: 10.00am-5.00pm / Cost: FREE
The ‘100 Years of the RAF Festival’ taking place on the 1 and 2 April 2018 will see re-enactors bring the Museum to life with authentic experiences for visitors to enjoy. A walk-through RAF history will include a First World War display, have a go anti-aircraft game (charges apply), engine demonstrations (Monday only), plotting table, vintage vehicle display, interactive storytelling, Second World War Camp and a Vulcan Scramble to name but a few! Activities and displays will be spread across the entire site for the FREE two day event which runs from 10am until 5pm both days. On arrival, make sure to pick up your free handy festival site plan to help guide you round the site and ensure you don’t miss out on any of the displays!
The Museum’s on-site caterers Kudos will be joining in the celebrations serving RAF100 birthday cupcakes, plus, woodfired pizzas and real dairy ice-creams will be served from vintage vehicles outside the Visitor Centre all day. The Museum will be operating a free shuttle bus service from Cosford train station for any visitors travelling by train or using the park and ride and will run continuously throughout the day.
SPITFIRE 100K CHALLENGE –
100K in 100 days / Date: Launches on 1 April / Cost: £20.00 per person
To celebrate 100 years of the Royal Air Force, the RAF Museum has set a new centenary year challenge to complete 100K in 100 days. The Spitfire 100K Challenge is virtual and launches on 1 April 2018, challengers have exactly 100 days to walk, jog or run 100K in a location of their choice. Participants will be given a distance log to record their 100K before being rewarded with a spinning propeller Spitfire 100K Challenge medal. Registration is still open via the Museum website CLICK HERE TO BOOK with over 600 people signed up from multiple RAF bases and countries across the world including; New Zealand, Canada, Japan and America. Limited edition Spitfire 100K Challenge t-shirts are also available to purchase when registering online.
Entry costs £20.00 per person and all proceeds from the Spitfire 100K Challenge will go towards the RAF100 Appeal, a joint venture between the Royal Air Force and four major RAF charities – Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund, Royal Air Forces Association, Royal Air Force Charitable Trust and the Royal Air Force Museum.
RAF STORIES: THE FIRST 100 YEARS 1918-2018 –
A new display celebrating the first 100 years of the RAF will be open to visitors in time for the festival weekend. Highlighting the principal roles of the RAF; Attack, Defence, Support and Prepare, the display also incorporates a snapshot timeline and artefacts spanning 100 years including uniforms, equipment, tools, personal possessions and commemorative items. In addition, a collection of life-size photographic metal cut outs will be positioned around the Museum site, sharing the stories of RAF personnel who have held a variety of roles within the service. The new display is supported by National Lottery Players through the Heritage Lottery Fund and founding sponsor BAE Systems. It is part of the RAF Museum’s RAF Centenary Programme across its two sites in London and Cosford.
GUILD OF AVIATION ARTISTS DISPLAY –
A brand new collection of paintings from The Guild of Aviation Artists is now on display in the Museum’s Hangar 1 Art Gallery. Representing 100 years of the Royal Air Force in its centenary year, the paintings on display in the Art Gallery have been specially selected to demonstrate the variety and scope of members’ work. Formed in 1971 The Guild of Aviation Artists is recognised throughout the world for the promotion of aviation art. The paintings on display are all for sale and the RAF Museum receives a commission from sales. For more information about the Guild of Aviation Artists please visit their website www.gava.org.uk.
