'Aladdin's cave' of RAF heritage to be relocated

Ejector seats, uniforms and weapons are among more than 50,000 historical objects that will be relocated to a new Royal Air Force (RAF) collections hub.

The items are currently stored at the Ministry of Defence's base in Stafford, described as the "Aladdin's cave of aviation heritage", but will be moved to the RAF Museum Midlands in Cosford, Shropshire.

It marks part of a wider transformation of the museum, which is scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2027, the RAF Museum said.

The collection will feature in a permanent exhibition exploring the role of the RAF from 1980 through to space and cyber defence, along with a learning centre and expanded green spaces.

The ambitious relocation has been dubbed The Crate Escape, with the public invited to contribute to a fundraising campaign as part of the effort.

Curator Ewen Cameron said the relocation was "no small feat" and that it would equate to more than 31,000 hours of work by specialist staff and volunteers.

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