RAF Cosford Museum to offer behind-the-scenes access to new Conservation Centre

Visitors will be able to view the progress being made on the Museum's bombers Credit: RAF Cosford

The Royal Air Force Museum Cosford's Conservation Centre will provide exclusive behind-the-scenes access for visitors this week.

Visitors will be able to view the progress being made on the Museum's bombers, the Handley Page Hampden and Vickers Wellington amongst other artefacts in various stages of restoration.

The Handley Page Hampden was designed as a medium bomber and introduced into RAF service in 1938. It then became a night bomber before being replaced by the Halifax and Lancaster in 1942.

The aircraft was en-route to Murmansk in Russia for convoy defence duties as part of 144 Squadron when it was shot down on 4th September 1942 during its transit flight. Three crew members died, although two survived to become prisoners of war.

The wreckage lay on the Kola Peninsula, Northern Russia until 1989 when it was rediscovered. The RAF Museum acquired the airframe in 1991.The Hampden is one of the Museum's longest running conservation projects.