The Royal Air Force Museum is housed at RAF Hendon in north London.A training school was established here in 1910 by Claude Graham White of the Royal Naval Air Service, inspired by Louis Blériot's historic flight over the English Channel in 1909. The aerodrome served as a military base throughout both World Wars and was used until 1969.
In 1972 the museum was opened in two hangars dating from World War I.
Hendon Aerodrome is the birthplace of aviation in Britain and the museum illustrates the history of flying in war and peace. The exhibits cover the history of flight, with the upper floors on the Main Aircraft Hall showing the earliest attempts at flight.
Hendon contains the UK's largest range of military aircraft including the Battle of Britain's Supermarine Spitfire, the Messerschmidt Bf109, and the Lancaster and B-17 Flying Fortress bombers.
Features include a 'touch and try' Jet Provost cockpit, a Red Arrows flight simulator and a walk-through Sunderland flying boat.
Although a military museum it also shows civilian life during peace and war-time. The Battle of Britain Hall vividly re-creates British life during World War II.
The interactive features in the The 'Fun & Flight' gallery is popular with children.
Although free, there is a car park charge.
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