A specialist team of “Dustbusters” with a head for heights is undertaking the annual suspended aircraft spring clean at the RAF Museum Midlands. Working up to 100 feet in the air, the team will carefully clean eight iconic aircraft this week, including the Vulcan bomber. Other aircraft receiving attention include the Canberra, Meteor, Sabre, Hunter, Lightning, Dakota and Javelin—each displayed in the Museum’s National Cold War Exhibition.
Strapped into harnesses and demonstrating nerves of steel, the specialist cleaning crew climbs into the rafters before abseiling down to access the aircraft. Using large, soft-fibre mops, the team gently removes dust without the use of cleaning solutions to preserve the historic surfaces. Alongside cleaning, they are also carrying out safety inspections of the suspension cables that hold the aircraft in their dramatic flying positions. As part of this year’s spring clean, additional aircraft across the Museum’s other hangars have also been carefully dusted. These include a WWII Wellington bomber, as well as more difficult-to-access aircraft such as the Lincoln, TSR2, JU88, Bristol M.1c and Hart.
Tom Hopkins, Curator at RAF Museum Midlands, said: “Each aircraft in our collection has its own story, and maintaining them properly is essential to ensuring those stories can continue to be shared with future generations. The suspended displays are among the most striking in the Museum, but they also require a highly specialised approach to care. It’s fantastic to work with a team that can safely access these aircraft and carry out such work with precision, helping us keep them in excellent condition for all who visit.” The Museum remains open throughout the cleaning process, giving visitors a unique opportunity to watch the high-flying team from Totally Wild Access—industrial rope access specialists—in action. The RAF Museum Midlands is open daily from 10:00 a.m., with free admission. Visit rafmuseum.org/midlands to plan your visit. For more information about the RAF Museum Midlands, visit www.rafmuseum.org.uk/midlands/
