The RAF Museum will be celebrating later this month, when it throws open the doors to its new Hanger One.

A striking new building in the heart of the Hendon site, its dynamic architecture will provide a fitting welcome to visitors that was perhaps lacking in a museum dedicated to an airforce renowned for its aviation excellence.

Along with a new café, gift shop and meeting rooms, the hanger will also house new permanent and temporary exhibitions. An exciting array of exhibits, many of which have been in storage, will now be on display including a Westland WS-61 Sea King helicopter that served in the same squadron as the Duke of Cambridge.

A display of RAF headwear will illustrate the diversity of the RAF. Pilots are just one part of the service’s personnel and so hats worn by chefs, ground crew and medical staff, to name just a few, will illustrate the wide range of trades and expertise.    

The new hanger is part of a wider regeneration of the Hendon site, which includes a brand new restaurant and new landscaping. The project has been funded with £1.8millon National Lottery grant and marks the second phase of the museum Centenary programme which included the previously HLF-funded First World War in the Air galleries.

So, the paint is almost dry and the hanger is starting to fill up. Come back in a few weeks for the big reveal.

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