Commemorate Battle of Britain 80 at the RAF Museum

2020 marks the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, often referred to as ‘Britain’s finest hour’. This summer, the Royal Air Force Museum is inviting the country to remember this significant story of bravery, international alliances and ingenuity both at the Museum and on tour.

On tour:

The Museum is giving members of the public a rare chance to see a real Spitfire from our collection in various public spaces. This will include Coventry, Telford, Shrewsbury, Birmingham, Cosford, Wolverhampton and Barnet. The Spitfire on tour will enable members of the public to find out more about this iconic aircraft and the role each town and city played during the Battle of Britain.

 London:

RAF Museum London (on the site of the former RAF Hendon) is home to the most complete set of Battle of Britain aircraft in the world including the ‘fighter four’: Spitfire, Hurricane, Messerschmitt Bf 109 and Fiat CR.42, all surviving participants of the Battle. This year they will be supported by new displays telling the wider BoB story, including a fine art exhibition. There will also be a series of events for the whole family, including The Battle of Britain Vintage Festival, Spitfire 10K and Family Run, and a Battle of Britain Aircraft Access event. 

Cosford:

Home to the world’s oldest Spitfire, RAF Museum Cosford houses both British and German aircraft from the BoB era.  See the RAF’s frontline fighters, the Spitfire, Hurricane, Gladiator and Defiant face to face with their German rivals the Me 109 and Ju88, all examples of the type used in the BoB.  Previously unseen objects from the Museum’s archive collection and a Dowding System interactive area will enhance the aircraft displays. The summer events programme will include the popular Spitfire 10K and Family Run and a BoB Proms with musical acts suitable for all the family.

Earlier this year the RAF Museum launched the Hurricane 80K Challenge, a virtual race commemorating 80 years since the BoB.  Participants have exactly 80 days to complete 80K and be rewarded with a bespoke challenge medal, proceeds will go the RAF Museum, registered charity 244708.

The RAF Museum is open daily from 10am and entry is FREE.  For more details visit rafmuseum.org

RAF Museum Battle of Britain type aircraft (most, but not all participated the BoB):

Aircraft	Identity	RAF Museum
Messerschmitt Bf 109E-3	Wk.Nr.4101	London
Hawker Hurricane Mk I	P2617	London
Supermarine Spitfire Mk I	X4590	London
Fiat CR.42	MM5701	London
Junkers Ju 87G-2 Stuka	Wk.Nr.494083	London
Heinkel He 111H-20	Wk.Nr. 701152	London
Bristol Blenheim Mk IV	L8756	London
Boulton Paul Defiant Mk I	N1671	Cosford
Junkers Ju 88R-1	Wk.Nr. 360043	Cosford
Hawker Hurricane Mk IIc	LF738	Cosford
Supermarine Spitfire Mk I	K9942	Cosford
Gloster Gladiator Mk I	K8042	Cosford
Messerschmitt Bf 109G-2	10639	Cosford

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RAF Museum Battle of Britain events:

 

Date	Event	RAF Museum
Tuesday 21 April – Friday 10 July	Hurricane 80K Challenge	Virtual Event
Friday 10 July	Battle of Britain Aircraft Access	London
Saturday 29 August	Spitfire 10K and Spitfire Family Run	London
Sunday 30 August	Spitfire 10K and Spitfire Family Run	Cosford
Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September	Battle of Britain Vintage Festival	London
Saturday 12 September	Battle of Britain Proms	Cosford