RAF Museum London: Open Cockpits & Cabs

RAF Museum London: Open Cockpits & Cabs – February 23rd

The Royal Air Force Museum will continue to hold ‘Open Cockpits and Cabs’ events in 2019 allowing visitors to buy tickets for a closer look, or even a venture inside, some of their historic aircraft, sea and land vehicles. The Museum’s London campus, on the site of the old RAF Hendon airfield will be holding just such an event on February 23rd between 11:00 am and 3:00pm. As the museum’s press release continues…

Contents

Westland Sea King HAR3 XZ585 – Search & Rescue Westland Wessex HCC5 XV732 (cabin only) – former Royal Flight example Hunting Percival Jet Provost T5A XW323 McDonnell Douglas Phantom FGR2 XV424 de Havilland Chipmunk WP962 EH101 Merlin ZJ116 – pre-production prototype and demonstrator Westland Belvedere HC1 XG474 (cabin only) deHavilland Vampire F3 VT812 (view of cockpit only) British Power Boat Company Seaplane Tender ST206 • K2 Ambulance Westland Whirlwind HAR10 XP299 (cabin area only) Hawker Hunter FGA9 XG154 (view of cockpit only)This event is suitable for children over the age of 8. Please make sure you read our access terms and conditions before purchasing a ticket – just click here.Tickets

You will get to step over the barriers and see inside some of our helicopters, planes and vehicles. The event will allow you to get a feel for what it was like to fly or drive these much-loved machines below:

Westland Sea King HAR3 XZ585 – Search & Rescue
Westland Wessex HCC5 XV732 (cabin only) – former Royal Flight example
Hunting Percival Jet Provost T5A XW323
McDonnell Douglas Phantom FGR2 XV424
de Havilland Chipmunk WP962
EH101 Merlin ZJ116 – pre-production prototype and demonstrator
Westland Belvedere HC1 XG474 (cabin only)
deHavilland Vampire F3 VT812 (view of cockpit only)
British Power Boat Company Seaplane Tender ST206
• K2 Ambulance
Westland Whirlwind HAR10 XP299 (cabin area only)
Hawker Hunter FGA9 XG154 (view of cockpit only)

Front Cockpit of Phantom FGR.2 ‘XV424’ 33311476265 — The front cockpit of Phantom FGR2 XV424 at RAF Museum London. The aircraft first flew in 1969 and during her RAF career she served with No.6, 29, 54, 56, and 111 Squadrons as well as No. 228OCU. In 1979 she undertook a commemorative Transatlantic flight to mark 60 years since Alcock and Browns first non-stop crossing. She received a special livery for the event and the flight took place on 21st June that year. XV424 retired from flying duties in July 1992 upon the disbandment of 56 Squadron, and the remainder of the RAF’s Phantom fleet. Earmarked for preservation she arrived at Hendon in November 1992. She remains on display in the Historic Main Hangars at RAF Museum London, UK. (photo by Alan Wilson via Wikipedia)

Bristol Belvedere HC.1 ‘XG474 O’ 33311454045 — One of the more unusual helicopters in the RAF Museum’s collection is Bristol Belvedere HC1 XG474. Built in 1962 and delivered to 66 Sqadron at RAF Seletar, Singapore, she also flew with 26 Squadron but ended her career back with No. 66 when the unit disbanded in March, 1969. Saved and returned to the UK for the RAF Museum where it remains on display in the Historic Main Hangars at RAF Museum London, UK. The type played an important role in Borneo during the communist insurgency as well as Aden. Just three complete examples remain. (photo by Alan Wilson via Wikipedia)

Seaplane tender Royal Air Force Museum Hendon. 24134033111 — Seaplane Tender ST206, one of a handful of vessels at the RAF Museum will be open to participants in the Open Cockpits and Cabs event on February 23rd. The type was produced in large numbers, and helped to service the Royal Air Force’s fleet of flying boats across the globe during the 1930s and into the 40s. (photo by Roland Turner via Wikipedia)

1200px Austin K2 ambulance RAF Museum Hendon. 11345777313 — The Austin K2 Ambulance at RAF Museum London. (photo by Roland Turner via Wikipedia)

Hawker Hunter FGA.9 ‘XG154’ 32497631473 — Hawker Hunter FGA9 XG154 will be one of a dozen significant exhibits at RAF Museum London which participants in the ‘Open Cockpits and Cabs’ event on February 23rd will get to see up close and personal. This aircraft, originally built as an F.6 fighter variant in 1956, was one of the very last Hunters to retire from the RAF service, with her last flight being July 26th, 1984! She saw combat in Aden during the early 1960s as well. (photo by Alan Wilson via Wikipedia)

When you arrive, you will check-in and receive a map that will guide you to the aircraft around the Museum that we have opened. A member of our Aircraft Access team will be next to each aircraft to bring them to life with the stories of the people who have flown them.

This event is suitable for children over the age of 8. Please make sure you read our access terms and conditions before purchasing a ticket – just click here.

Tickets

Tickets are available to purchase online, and there will be a number available from our box office on the day. Please book in advance to avoid disappointment.

Standard Ticket: £15 per person
Member Ticket*: £7.50 per person

We recommend that you arrive at the Museum for 10.30am to check-in, collect your wrist band and map.

*only valid with proof of membership, please bring this with you to the event.

Purchase your tickets here

If you have any questions please email the events team at whatsonlondon@rafmuseum.org.

Richard Mallory Allnutt (Chief Editor)

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Richard Mallory Allnutt's aviation passion ignited at the 1974 Farnborough Airshow. Raised in 1970s Britain, he was immersed in WWII aviation lore. Moving to Washington DC, he frequented the Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum, meeting aviation legends.

After grad school, Richard worked for Lockheed-Martin but stayed devoted to aviation, volunteering at museums and honing his photography skills. In 2013, he became the founding editor of Warbirds News, now Vintage Aviation News. With around 800 articles written, he focuses on supporting grassroots aviation groups.

Richard values the connections made in the aviation community and is proud to help grow Vintage Aviation News.