The RAF Museum Midlands will showcase three new aircraft acquisitions at the RAF Cosford Air Show on Sunday, June 14th. The British Aerospace Hawk T1A, General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper, and Westland Puma HC1 will go on static display in the museum’s enclosure on the airfield, alongside the iconic Chinook Bravo November, completing an impressive lineup of RAF aircraft.
Visitors attending this year’s air show will be the first to see the museum’s new Hawk, Reaper, and Puma. Following their appearance at the event, all three aircraft will be placed in storage before going on permanent display in the museum’s forthcoming exhibition, “The RAF: 1980 to Today.” The new exhibition is part of a sitewide transformation made possible with support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The new acquisitions were recently transported by road to RAF Cosford by the Joint Aircraft Recovery and Transportation Squadron (JARTS), where they are currently being reassembled ahead of their first public appearance. The RAF Museum thanked its technicians, Babcock personnel at RAF Shawbury and RAF Cosford, and Ministry of Defence colleagues for their support in preparing the airframes for the air show.
(Image credit: © RAF Museum)
The Hawk entered RAF service in 1976 as an advanced jet trainer. In 1979, it was selected to replace the Folland Gnat as the aircraft flown by the RAF Aerobatic Team, better known as the Red Arrows. The Reaper entered RAF service in 2007 and became the service’s first combat-capable remotely piloted aircraft system, or “drone.” Its ability to loiter over targets undetected gave it an invaluable role in intelligence gathering and precision strike operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria. The Reaper retired from global RAF operations in 2025 after 18 years of service.
(Image credit: © RAF Museum)
The Puma, a French-designed medium-lift helicopter, served with the RAF from 1971 to 2025. Over its remarkable 54-year career, the Puma supported a wide range of operations. “We are delighted to announce the acquisition of these remarkable aircraft and look forward to sharing them with aviation enthusiasts at this year’s Cosford Air Show,” said Tom Hopkins, RAF Museum Curator of Aircraft and Exhibits. “Each represents a significant chapter in RAF history, whether that’s the Hawk, which continues to inspire audiences as part of the world-famous Red Arrows display team, or the Puma, which has more than five decades of distinguished RAF service. The recently retired Reaper will become the first aircraft of its type to enter a UK museum collection, and while it will be some time before these aircraft go on permanent display at the museum, we are excited to offer Cosford Air Show visitors this exclusive early preview.”
(Image credit: © RAF Museum)
In addition to the aircraft lineup, the museum’s enclosure will offer a range of activities for families. Exclusively for the Cosford Air Show, aviation fans will be able to board the legendary Chinook Bravo November for a small donation. Known as “The Survivor,” Bravo November earned its reputation during the 1982 liberation of the Falkland Islands. After the MV Atlantic Conveyor was struck by a missile and later sank, Bravo November was the only Chinook to survive, going on to play a crucial role in the conflict. Families can also visit a replica Spitfire cockpit, try on RAF uniforms and hats, test their coding skills with interactive robotics activities, and browse an extensive retail selection featuring many exclusive items. Elsewhere on the airfield, the museum’s Harrier GR3 and Wessex will also make appearances.
Air show ticket holders will also receive an exclusive museum offer, including free parking on a return visit to the museum and a two-for-one offer on 4D Theatre rides. Visitors can redeem the parking offer by presenting their air show ticket when registering their vehicle on arrival at the museum, and can claim the 4D Theatre offer at the point of purchase. With just over a week to go, the Cosford Air Show is close to selling out, with only a few tickets remaining. Tickets are available at cosfordairshow.co.uk.
