PRESS RELEASE
Suspended from the ceiling, up to 100ft in the air, eight aircraft including a Vulcan bomber, were all given a light dusting last week as part of the annual clean and inspection. Other aircraft being spruced up include Canberra, Meteor, Sabre, Hunter, Lightning, Dakota, and Javelin.
Strapped into harnesses and with nerves of steel, the specialist cleaning team climbs the rafters of the building and abseils down to access the aircraft. No cleaning solutions are used on the aircraft, just good dusting using large soft fiber mops. In addition to cleaning the aircraft, the team will also be inspecting the suspension cables supporting the aircraft in their flying display positions.
Tom Hopkins, Curator at RAF Museum Midlands said: ‘The Museum’s commitment to preserving objects within our collection extends beyond mere display. It involves each aircraft and vehicle undergoing a regular inspection by our skilled Technicians and Volunteers. However, when it comes to the aircraft suspended from the ceiling of our National Cold War Exhibition, a unique challenge emerges. These iconic aircraft, reach up to 100 feet in places, and navigating such dizzying heights requires a specialist team equipped with the necessary skills and equipment.’
During the cleaning, the Museum will remain open to visitors who can see the high-flying team from Rappel, industrial rope access specialists, in action. The Museum’s National Cold War Exhibition features 19 aircraft, tanks, vehicles, models, and memorabilia, and is the only place in the world where people can view all three British V-Bombers, the Vulcan, Victor, and Valiant, together and under one roof.
The Museum is open daily from 10.00 am and admission is free. Pre-book your arrival time online at rafmuseum.org/midlands.
The Royal Air Force Museum Midlands, located in Cosford in Shropshire, is a free museum dedicated to the history of aviation and the Royal Air Force in particular. The museum is part of the Royal Air Force Museum, a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Ministry of Defence and also a registered charity.
