Aviation Museums › Air Force & Military Aviation
The Royal Air Force Museum at Hendon in North London is the United Kingdom's national museum of the Royal Air Force and one of two public RAF Museum sites, alongside RAF Museum Midlands at Cosford. Opened in 1972 on the historic London Aerodrome, it displays around 100 aircraft from across the world and tells the story of the RAF from 1918 to the present day, with free admission.
Notable Exhibits
- Avro Lancaster B.I R5868 'S for Sugar' — A Battle of Britain-era legend that survived 137 operational missions over Europe during World War II.
- Avro Vulcan B.2 — A Cold War-era delta-wing strategic bomber that visitors can walk beneath in the museum's bomber hangar.
- Supermarine Spitfire Mk Vb — One of the most widely used Spitfire variants of World War II, displayed inside the museum.
- Hawker Hurricane Mk I (P2617) — A Battle of Britain fighter displayed in Hangars 3 and 4, alongside the Spitfire it flew with in 1940.
- Short Sunderland — A large Second World War flying boat that visitors can explore inside, in Hangar 1.
The museum was established as a legacy of the RAF's fiftieth anniversary and was officially opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on November 15, 1972, with 36 aircraft in Hendon's hangars.
It is situated on the site of the historic Hendon London Aerodrome, home of the great pre-war Hendon Air Shows.
Lancaster 'S for Sugar' flew 137 operational sorties against an average Lancaster life expectancy of just 21 sorties.
Entry to both RAF Museum London and RAF Museum Midlands is free, open daily from 10.00 a.m.
Verified 2026-09-13 · RAF Museum London, Our History, Collections - Avro Lancaster Mk I (R5868)