Reader Alexander, who has previously reviewed the Newark Air Museum is back with another British air museum, this time the RAF Museum in Cosford.
The RAF runs its own museum, split over two sites. I've visited their Midlands museum at Cosford a couple of times now and it's a good one. There are a great number of aircraft, missiles, engines and vehicles spread across four halls. The largest is the Cold War exhibition, where you can see all three V bombers under one roof. Two are veterans of the Black Buck raids, and their Valiant is notable for dropped Britain's first H-bomb. Amongst other artifacts here is a collection of missiles, including ballistic missiles, early ATGMs, land and naval SAMs and a range of air launched weapons. There are a couple of open cockpits with staff on hand, keen to explain the extent to which ejecting will reduce your height.
A German BV246 guided bomb
Hangar 1 has a couple of Falklands war aircraft (a Harrier and the famous Bravo November), a good collection of German "wunderwaffe" missiles and glide bombs, aero engines and some transport aircraft. They had some signs up about changes they plan to make here to cover the future of aviation, which sounds hard to get exhibits for, but I suppose I'll have to wait for another visit to see how they manage it.
Test Flight used to have more of a focus on cold war era British experimental aircraft, if I'm remembering my previous visit correctly. It still has some, including one of two TSR-2s, but they've gone for a more extensive timeline of British aviation, from WWI to the EAP tech demonstrator. Amongst the aircraft here is the world's oldest surviving Spitfire. They've also got some VR rides in this hall, though I didn't give them a try.
An Ikara ASW missile
Finaly there is the War in the Air hangar, with WWII period aircraft. This was the bit we got a tour of (thanks Geoff!) which in my mind was the highlight of the visit. I always enjoy getting a chance to talk with the staff, and this was well worth paying for. Since only the two of us were on this tour we got lots of time to ask questions, and he ended up giving us double the time we'd paid for. My favourite part was hearing about the Viktor Belenko-style defection of Herbert Schmid.
I remember them having a bit more WWII war booty on my previous visit last time I came, including some rare Japanese machines which now seem to be in London. I've never visited the other RAF museum at Hendon, but I expect it to be good too, if likely somewhat busier. I'd certainly recommend visiting if you are in the area, and suggest allowing plenty of time for it if you can.
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I was at the RAF Hendon museum when I visited England about twelve years ago; it's been long enough that I don't remember too much about it, but I remember it was really good.
Didn't get to Cosford, though - that was too far out.