Museum commemorates Battle of Britain with family weekend
10-11 September 2011
Spitfire Flypast on Saturday (weather permitting)
The Royal Air Force Museum Cosford will be commemorating the Battle of Britain, considered the most important event in Royal Air Force history, with a family weekend of events and activities for the whole family to enjoy, including a flypast on Saturday from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire (weather permitting).
Activities taking place over the weekend include real life working Merlin & Griffon engine demonstrations lasting approximately 30 minutes and a chance to see how a WWII Ops Room operated. A land army re-enactment group will be digging for victory in the wartime garden with Hoo Farm bringing along sheep, ducks, chickens, goats and a sheep dog as part of the land army experience.
A main highlight of the weekend will be a Question and Answer session with Battle of Britain veterans. Come along and listen to their remarkable tales and ask those in the know, what it was really like to be in the RAF during the Battle of Britain era. The Q&A session plus screenings of outtakes from the 1969 epic film Battle of Britain will be taking place in the Conference Room located in the Visitor Centre.
Over this weekend children and adults can find out what it was like to be a 1940’s RAF pilot by sitting inside a replica Spitfire, complete with flying jacket and goggles; and will have the opportunity to have their photo taken professionally as a memento of the day (charges apply). Also on display over the weekend will be a range of 1940’s military vehicles and a Guild of Aviation Artists exhibition displaying 51 paintings themed around the Battle of Britain will be on display in Hangar 1.
And to keep the children entertained the Museum will be running its popular ‘Step Back In Time’ workshop where children and adults alike, will write with a dip pen using old fashioned inkwells and have a go at pounds, shilling and pence arithmetic and fill in a replica evacuee label and identity card. But, be prepared to evacuate the class quickly at any time in order to make it down to the Anderson Shelter to escape a day time bombing raid. Other children’s activities including colouring in Spitfires and Union Jack flags, will be taking place throughout the site over both days.
The Museum Restaurant will be offering some culinary delights with their wartime menu and visitors will be able to dine in true street party style. Visitors are also welcome to dress up for the occasion in their 1940’s clothing. For more information about the Battle of Britain Weekend event please contract the Museum on 01902 376200 or visit www.rafmuseum.org.
