The Vickers Wellington was a long-range medium bomber that served throughout the war until its final retirement in 1953 (Picture: RAF Museum Midlands)

Aviation History

New funding to preserve RAF and Royal Marines' WW2 contributions for the future

As the country marks the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe, more than £13m in funding is being awarded to two museums to keep the history of the Second World War alive.

The RAF Museum Midlands in Cosford and the National Museum of the Royal Navy in Portsmouth are being awarded £13.7m by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Plans are in place to transform the RAF Museum Midlands by opening new exhibits to tell the 100+ year history of the Royal Air Force.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton, Chief of the Air Staff, said: "Development of the museum's Midlands site is strategically important to the Royal Air Force.

"The opportunities to improve our STEM [science, technology, engineering and maths] together, improve our exposure in a very diverse community, and improve how we tell the compelling story of our recent history are vitally important.

"The Royal Air Force is therefore delighted to support this development."

Meanwhile, in Portsmouth, the National Museum of the Royal Navy plans to transform a historic boathouse and create a Royal Marines Experience.

This will house a new dedicated Special Exhibition Gallery and a Marines-themed Laser Quest, as well as telling the long history of the Royal Marines.

Visitors will be taken on a compelling journey through four centuries of Royal Marines history – from the creation of its forerunner in 1664 to today.

The Royal Marines is the UK's amphibious Commando Force, but its lineage dates back to the Duke of York and Albany's maritime regiment of Foot in 1664 (Picture: MOD) — The Royal Marines is the UK's amphibious Commando Force, but its lineage dates back to the Duke of York and Albany's Maritime Regiment of Foot in 1664 (Picture: MOD)

Admiral Sir Ben Key, who recently stepped back as First Sea Lord, said in his letter of support for the project: "The Royal Marines' story of daring, duty and sacrifice deserves to be recognised and celebrated.

"The new museum will showcase what makes a Royal Marine, illustrating their prestigious history from their origins in 1664 to the Commando Force of the next generation."

The RAF Museum Midlands is home to the world's oldest Spitfire and exhibitions exploring the Battle of Britain and Bomber Command.

Now, through the new funding, it hopes to release more artefacts that have never been seen by the public.

Maggie Appleton, CEO of the Royal Air Force Museum, said: "This very generous support will enable us to engage with our communities and wider partners to care for and share our collections and their fascinating stories in new, ambitious and creative ways."

The museum's Supermarine Spitfire is the oldest surviving example in the world (Picture: RAF Museum Midlands)

During the Second World War, RAF Cosford played a vital role in training engineers and delivering Spitfires built in the Midlands.

The plan is to develop a 1930s hangar as a new exhibition and learning centre.

It will explore the critical role of the Royal Air Force from 1980 to today. 

Eilish McGuinness, chief executive of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: "Crucially, these projects will help new audiences to discover, draw inspiration from and forge connections with the stories of the RAF and Royal Marines, helping to ensure the heritage is valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future."

The National Museum of the Royal Navy's D-Day Museum is the guardian of LCT 7074, the last surviving landing craft tank from D-Day, just one of the many sea-based operations the Royal Marines were involved in during WW2.

Matthew Sheldon, CEO of the National Museum of the Royal Navy, said: "This generous support from the National Lottery and its players marks a major milestone in the delivery of an innovative approach to sharing the incredible stories of our service community."