The Royal Air Force Museum Midlands has been awarded £9,286,778 by the Heritage Fund for its Inspiring Everyone: RAF Museum Midlands Development Programme.

The museum is working with visitors, Access and Youth Advisory Panels, community groups, staff and volunteers to transform its spaces and visitor experience. 

The RAF Museum is the guardian of a national collection that spans over a century of RAF history, capturing every aspect of RAF life.  Yet, today, less than 1% of this inspiring heritage is accessible to the public. A new Collections Hub at the Museum’s Midlands site will unlock the doors to stored objects for the first time, enabling public access to artefacts of regional, national and international importance.

During the Second World War, RAF Cosford played a vital role in training engineers and delivering Spitfires built in the Midlands. The National Lottery supported programme will redevelop a 1930s hangar as a new exhibition and Learning Centre, continuing this legacy of skills building, with a focus on STEM, geography, art and design.

A new exhibition will explore the critical role of the Royal Air Force since 1980. 

Visitors will discover how the RAF’s mission continues today and imagine how the service will adapt in the future as it delivers 24/7 Air, Land, Maritime, Space and Cyber defence. 

The transformation extends beyond the buildings. A new public realm will provide spaces for outdoor events, learning, rest and relaxation. A three-year multi-strand Engagement Programme will offer activities onsite, offsite and online.

It is estimated that 20 million people in the UK have direct connections with the RAF. This project will protect that heritage and enable future generations to explore and draw inspiration from the remarkable RAF story.

Sir Richard Knighton KCB ADC FREng, Chief of the Air Staff, said:

“Development of the Museum’s Midlands site is strategically important to the Royal Air Force. The opportunities to improve our STEM outreach together, improve our exposure in a very diverse community, and improve how we tell the compelling story of our recent history are vitally important. The Royal Air Force is therefore delighted to support this development.”

Maggie Appleton, CEO of the Royal Air Force Museum, said:

“Warm thanks on behalf of all our team to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and to all National Lottery players. This very generous support will enable us to engage with our communities and wider partners to care for and share our collections and their fascinating stories in new, ambitious and creative ways.

“We look forward to welcoming visitors to the RAF Museum Midlands on Saturday 31 May to celebrate the project launch and find out how to get involved in a packed day of activity with a special Battle of Britain Memorial Flight flypast.

“To find out more about the Inspiring Everyone: RAF Museum Midlands Development Programme and how you can get involved, visit rafmuseum.org/midlands.”