RAF Museum Brings Historic Women in Aviation to Life for UK School Holiday

During the upcoming school holiday in May, the Royal Air Force Museum-Cosford will be celebrating the achievements made by women in aviation. From Monday the 27th to Friday the 31st, the Museum will be running special sessions for families to enjoy, highlighting some of aviation’s most inspirational women.

Children will learn about pioneering English aviator Amy Johnson who set numerous long-distance records during the 1930s and flew in the Second World War as part of the Air Transport Auxiliary. Taking place in the Museum’s Hangar 1 at 11am and 2pm each day, visitors can listen as actors portray a news reporter interviewing Amy about her childhood, gaining her pilots license and attempting to break the world record flying to Australia.

Pioneering American aviator Amelia Earhart was the first female pilot to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean and received the U.S. Distinguished Cross for her record breaking flight and earned the adulation of people around the world. Brought to life by actors during the week, visitors will learn about the other flying records set by Amelia before her mysterious disappearance in 1937, as she attempted to fly around the World.

It’s not just female pilots who have made their mark in history, families can learn more about the first female in space, and first civilian, regardless of gender, Valentina Tereshkova. In this 50th Anniversary session for children they can hear stories about Valentina’s experiences in space, take a look at a real space suit, or try on a space costume for a souvenir photograph.

During the entire week, museum staff will be dressed as some of aviation’s most significant women and will be answering questions “in character.” The future of women in aviation will be represented by three female Museum Apprentices stationed in the Test Flight hangar all week. The Apprentices will be working on panels from the Handley Page Hampden currently being restored in the Museum’s Conservation Center and demonstrating their skills and the future roles woman will play within the aerospace industry.

The “Women in Aviation” experience is free of charge and sessions will run throughout the week. The Museum is open daily from 10AM.