RAF Cosford
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RAF Cosford opened in 1938 originally as an Aircraft Storage Unit (ASU) and maintenance depot. It also became home to No.2 School of Technical Training.
With the outbreak of WWII Cosford expanded rapidly and in 1940 a major hospital was constructed on the base. Its purpose was to repatriate RAF prisoners of war. And was only meant to stay for 10 years. By 1948 some 13,000 POW`s had passed through the Cosford and the hospital remained unitl 1977.
1963 marked the arrival of No.1 school for RAF Photography and in 1984 a museum was opened.
Although Cosford has seen many different units stationed here it has always retained its original purpose. Since 2004 the base has been home to the Defence College Of Aeronautical Engineering or DCAE as its more commonly known.
Training covers everything from Survival training to specialist engineering and pilot training.
RAF Cosford is in most parts not accessible due to obvious reasons and it being a live military installation. The base is also the home of the east midlands air ambulance which is actually on the main airfield near the RAF hangars.
Although myself and Storm couldnt access the majority of the base we where not disappointed. The museum houses some fantastic and extremely rare vehicles and aircraft.
Which includes everything from WWII and before right upto present day. When we visited there was an exhibition on the Cold War.
Some of the rarer aircraft included a WWII German U-Boat helicopter. A Meshersmitt ME-262 and a Spitfire and Hurricane. There was also an Atomic Thermo-Nuclear Bomb known as a Yellow Sun on display which was carried by V-Bombers.
The highlight of our visit though had to be finaly getting to see a Bloodhound missile in one piece which was worth the trip alone.
RAF Cosford houses some of the rarest aircraft and vehicles currently on display in the UK as well hosting one of the countrys finest air shows.
We did plan on visiting a few more WWII air fields after Cosford but got so wrapped up in what was on display here we left ourselves no time to visit the others.
Not UE I know but where else can you get to see a Bloodhound Missile and a V-Bomber?
Date : 2007 : Location : Staffordshire : Explorers : Havoc : Storm
