The latest news from the Royal Air Force Museum American Foundation http://www.rafmaf.org/news/ http://www.rafmaf.org/images/rafm-logo-sm.gif http://www.rafmaf.org/news/ 144 88 Fri, 14 May 2010 12:00:00 GMT As part of its modernisation and development plan the Royal Air Force Museum has undertaken the initial planning for a new Battle of Britain Exhibition at its London site. The new building will allow wider public access and ensure that they Museum's unique collection of Battle of Britain aircraft memorabilia and archives is preserved for future generations. http://www.rafmaf.org/news/article.cfm?news_id=195 http://www.rafmaf.org/news/article.cfm?news_id=195 Thu, 13 May 2010 12:00:00 GMT Today the Royal Air Force Museum launches a national photography competition as part of its calendar of activities to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. Accordingly, it is inviting members of the public to submit photographs taken at various Battle of Britain events that will be taking place around the country this summer. Entries should be made via the Museum’s website, www.rafmuseum.org. http://www.rafmaf.org/news/article.cfm?news_id=197 http://www.rafmaf.org/news/article.cfm?news_id=197 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:00:00 GMT The Royal Air Force Museum is delighted to announce that as part of its monthly podcast series aviation entrepreneur and the founder of the Virgin Group Sir Richard Branson has generously given his time to narrate this month’s podcast “Bader: Fighter,Pilot”. The podcast was specially commissioned to mark the centenary of Bader’s birth on 21st February 2010 and forms part of the Museum’s commemoration of the former Battle of Britain pilot. It examines the life of Douglas Bader from his near fatal air crash in 1931 -with the loss of both his legs at the knee - through his wartime service as one of the highest scoring aces in the Battle of Britain and his subsequent efforts to escape from German captivity after being shot down and captured in August 1941. http://www.rafmaf.org/news/article.cfm?news_id=194 http://www.rafmaf.org/news/article.cfm?news_id=194 Thu, 21 Jan 2010 12:00:00 GMT 2010 marks the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. To commemorate this defining moment in the history of the Royal Air Force, the Royal Air Force Museum has, today, launched the first of twelve monthly podcasts which will explore throughout 2010 the history and mythology behind this legendary aerial conflict. Deputy Director of the Museum, Air Vice-Marshal retired, Peter Dye states: “The Battle of Britain is so engrained in our national memory that it is sometimes difficult to distinguish between fact and mythology. It was the RAF’s Finest Hour, when its fighter pilots, The Few, were all that stood between this small island nation and subjugation. The image of white contrails against the fierce blue sky of the English summer has come to symbolise the Battle. Such is popular memory; yet the fighting actually took place across much of the country – and not always against a blue sky." http://www.rafmaf.org/news/article.cfm?news_id=193 http://www.rafmaf.org/news/article.cfm?news_id=193 Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:00:00 GMT Lord Young of Norwood Green, Minister for Postal Affairs and Employment Relations, today visited the Michael Beetham Conservation Centre (MBCC) at Royal Air Force Museum Cosford. During his visit, Lord Young was given a tour of the Museum’s Conservation Centre and took time to meet and speak with the apprentices, in his capacity as Minister for Employment Relations. He was particularly interested in highlighting his support for apprenticeship schemes. http://www.rafmaf.org/news/article.cfm?news_id=192 http://www.rafmaf.org/news/article.cfm?news_id=192 Sat, 29 Aug 2009 12:00:00 GMT RAFMAF Board members John T Sessions is flying his B-25 Mitchell bomber from the UK to Paine Field, WA along the route taken by World War Two bomb crews to honor those who made the trip in wartime. On board will be an RAF Ceremonial Sword which will be presented to the RAF Exchange officer who has contributed most to Anglo-American relations in the past year. http://www.rafmaf.org/news/article.cfm?news_id=191 http://www.rafmaf.org/news/article.cfm?news_id=191 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:00:00 GMT Daniel Perks, a junior apprentice at the Royal Air Force Museum's Michael Beetham Conservation Centre, was recently presented with the 'Engineering Student Achiever Award' 2009 as part of the Celebration of Work Awards managed by the Telford College of Arts and Technology (TCAT). Daniel, aged 20 from Telford, was nominated for the 'Engineering Student Achiever Award' by his company representative Mr Tim Wallis, Manager of the Museum's Michael Beetham Conservation Centre. Daniels award recognises the increasing and progressive development that he has shown throughout his 2 years in the scheme. http://www.rafmaf.org/news/article.cfm?news_id=186 http://www.rafmaf.org/news/article.cfm?news_id=186 Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:00:00 GMT The outstanding contribution made by the men and women of the Royal Air Force on Operation TELIC, and over the past 19 years in the Gulf region, has been formally recognised by the commander of US forces in Iraq. General Raymond Odierno, the most senior military chief in Baghdad, has written to Britain’s Secretary of State for Defence, Bob Ainsworth MP, to express his “sincere gratitude” for the RAF’s commitment to the region since 1990, including its role since 2003 as part of Multi-National Force – Iraq. http://www.rafmaf.org/news/article.cfm?news_id=190 http://www.rafmaf.org/news/article.cfm?news_id=190