Three Iconic First World War Aircraft Arrive at RAF Museum Cosford

Press Release:

On Tuesday, July 15th, the staff at Royal Air Force Museum Cosford received three iconic WWI aircraft. They will form the centre of a new First World War Exhibition. The Bristol M1c, Sopwith 1 ½ Strutter and Sopwith Pup are due to go on display within the museum’s War Planes Hangar in December 2014. The Sopwith Pup, serial N5182, is an original aircraft which was active during the First World War. The Pup, thought of by its pilots as the perfect flying machine, served extensively with the Royal Naval Air Service and the Royal Flying Corps both at home and abroad. The Bristol M1c and Sopwith 1 ½ Strutter are accurate, full-scale reproductions.

The aircraft journeyed on two low-loader lorries from RAF Museum Hendon in London, along the M1, M6 and M54 motorways. Delighted members of the public and museum staff welcomed the aircraft arrivals, before they entered the Museum’s Conservation Centre for reassembly. The Sopwith Pup will undergo some minor fabric repair work to the tail before going on public display later this year. The three aircraft will be the focal point of the museum’s First World War Exhibition opening this December to commemorate the hundredth anniversary of that conflict’s beginning. Their presence will offer museum audiences a tangible link to help them discover and explore the unique and often overlooked role of air power during the First World War through the incredible stories of the men and women who took part. The Heritage Lottery Fund provided a £898,558 grant which made possible this exhibition; ‘First World War In The Air’.

Alex Medurst, RAF Museum Cosford General Manager stated that, “These three iconic aircraft will provide a dramatic focus for our upcoming First World War exhibition. The Museum at Cosford looks forward to sharing them with its visitors and marking the historic anniversary.”

[inpost_galleria thumb_width=”200″ thumb_height=”200″ post_id=”14381″ thumb_margin_left=”3″ thumb_margin_bottom=”0″ thumb_border_radius=”2″ thumb_shadow=”0 1px 4px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2)” id=”” random=”0″ group=”0″ border=”” show_in_popup=”0″ album_cover=”” album_cover_width=”200″ album_cover_height=”200″ popup_width=”800″ popup_max_height=”600″ popup_title=”Gallery” type=”yoxview” sc_id=”sc1405917052482″]

Moreno Aguiari

Born in Milan, Italy, Moreno moved to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. His aviation passion began early, inspired by his uncle, an F-104 Starfighter Crew Chief, and his father, a military traffic controller. Childhood adventures included camping outside military bases and watching planes at Aeroporto Linate. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to obtain his commercial pilot license, a move that became permanent. With 24 years in the U.S., he now flies full-time for a Part 91 business aviation company in Atlanta. He is actively involved with the Commemorative Air Force, the D-Day Squadron, and other aviation organizations. He enjoys life with his supportive wife and three wonderful children.

• P-38 Lightning Demo/Hangar Talk at Planes of Fame Air Museum on November 2nd
• Norwegian CF-104D Starfighter Undergoes Engine Testing
• B-17E “Desert Rat” Restoration Update – Winter 2024
• Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome to Host Night Photo Event on November 2