RAF Cosford: Cockpits open to public on Second World War planes - in photos
Two Second World War German front line aircrafts were the highlights of a sold-out open cockpits evening held at the RAF Museum Cosford.
Hundreds of people flocked from all over the country to see the Messerschmitt BF109G-2/Trop and the Focke Wulf Fw190A-8/U-1 which were on display during the two evenings on May 19 and 20.
Ticket holders had the chance to gain exclusive after-hours access to the museum to experience what it feels like to sit inside a military aircraft that has seen action around the world and marvel at the advances technologies on unique airframes.
A wide variety of people attended the event, from aircraft enthusiasts to families with young children.
Volunteers were on hand to discuss the history of each aircraft and answer questions.
There was also a wide range of transport aircraft, jet fighters and unique research airframes from each of the museum’s display hangars and within the museum grounds which were open for close viewing.
Other highlights for visitors included the British Aircraft Corporation TSR 2, BAe Harrier GR9A, General Dynamics F-111F-CF and the Lockheed Hercules C130K Mk3.
Michelle Morgans, spokeswoman for RAF Museum Cosford, said: "We're really pleased, it was a sell-out event, both nights we had 300 visitors, so we had 600 in total throughout the event.
"Everyone really really enjoyed it, we had a lot of people coming for the first time so they were new to the event.
"On the evening the two aircrafts that were most popular were the two German aircrafts.
"It went really well, we were really pleased with it.
"We had a real mixture of people come to the event, it's quite a good event because it suits people of all ages. The enthusiasts are keen to get on board and young families also enjoy the event and children come along who enjoy looking at aircrafts, sometimes they dress up in little pilot uniforms too.
"There were quite a lot of new visitors this year so that's quite encouraging for us as well."
Michelle added that visitors had travelled from all over the country for the event, and that a second event will be taking place later this year for anyone who may have missed out this time.
She said: "There was a large proportion from Shropshire and the West Midlands, however we did have people travelling from as far as Exeter, Cardiff, London and the Manchester area.
"Anybody who did miss out this time will get another chance to come in September, so they can get on board the aircrafts then.
"We've already sold some of the tickets for that and we will be releasing the list of aircrafts nearer the time. There will be a mixture."
A second Open Cockpits Evening will take place on September 15 and 16 and will feature a different line-up of aircrafts.
Entry includes parking, but a minimum height restriction of 1.07 metres will apply. Access into the cockpits is via sets of ladders, visitors must be physically able to climb these and lift their legs in and out of the cockpits.
Tickets cost £12.50 per person- a booking fee applies of 50p per ticket, and tickets for Lightning Members are available at £10- plus booking fee- per person.
The Open Cockpits event will run from 6pm to 9pm.
For more information, or to book tickets, visit https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/cosford/whats-going-on/events/open-cockpits-evening-frida/
In the mean time there will be a number of May half term activities taking place at the museum. Peg plane magnet activity sessions will be running from May 30 to June 2.
Taking inspiration from aircraft in the First World War in the Air Exhibition, families can make their very own personalised magnet to take home.
There will also be a "Spot the Slang Trail". Slang words were used in the First World War to help people to describe some of their experiences and this new trail will help families work together and learn some of the terms used.
