The bold task of spring-cleaning iconic aircraft at RAF Museum Midlands

Display items including historic military aircraft like the Vulcan, Lightning and Javelin have been given a very special spring clean at RAF Museum Midlands.

This is no easy feat though and rope access technicians are required to conduct the annual deep clean and some very important safety checks.

The operation takes 48 hours and requires industrial-sized dusters and mops for the wings and bodywork of many of the aircraft.

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Alex Picken, one of the rope access technicians, told Forces News: "It's a privilege to be stood on something that's such a great part of British history. It adds to the wow factor of the job."

The museum expects up to 500,000 visitors a year, with many serious military aviation enthusiasts, so keeping these important artefacts in good order – to similar standards as when they were in service – is a priority, says Tom Hopkins, the curator at RAF Museum Midlands.

"We want our exhibits to look their best absolutely, and we need to care for them as museum objects.

"Once they were flying, but now they're here, and we need to preserve them for future generations to enjoy."