RAF Cosford

RAF Cosford opened in 1938 as a joint aircraft maintenance, storage and technical training unit.{{cite book |last1=Philpott |first1=Ian |title=The Royal Air Force - an encyclopedia of the inter-war years |volume=2, Re-armament 1930 - 1939 |year=2008 |publisher=Pen & Sword |location=Barnsley |isbn=978-1-84415-391-6 |page=[https://archive.org/details/royalairforceenc0000phil/page/293 293] |chapter=RAF stations, airfields and other establishments |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/royalairforceenc0000phil/page/293 }} It was originally intended to be opened as RAF Donington (the parish in which it is located) but to avoid confusion with the nearby army camp at Donnington it was named after Cosford Grange House which was located at the south western edge of the airfield.{{sfn|Brooks|2008|p=49}} It has remained mainly a training unit to this day. The Fulton barrack block was built just before the Second World War as the largest single building barrack block in the UK. The block was named after Captain Fulton (an early Air Force pioneer) and paid for by his widow, Lady Fulton.{{cite book |last=Clarke |first=Bob |title=The archaeology of airfields |date=2007 |publisher=Tempus |place=Stroud |isbn=978-0-7524-4401-7 |pages=92–94 |chapter=Four; Realisation not rationalisation - expansion policy 1933-39}} It is a listed building and is now used for technical training.{{NHLE |num=1407287 |desc=Fulton Block |grade=II |access-date=21 June 2017}}

No 2 School of Technical Training was formed in 1938 and during the Second World War it trained 70,000 airmen in engine, airframe and armament trades. No 2 School of Technical Training was subsumed into the No 1 School of Technical Training when it moved to Cosford from RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire.{{cite book |last1=Delve |first1=Ken |title=The Military Airfields of Britain – Wales and West Midlands |date=2007 |publisher=Crowood Press |place=Marlborough |isbn=978-1861269-17-1 |page=87}}

In the Second World War No. 12 Ferry Pool of the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) was formed at Cosford. This unit delivered Spitfires from the station, returning with bombers or fighters for No 9 Maintenance Unit. Ferry flights were often flown by women pilots. Amy Johnson came to Cosford on more than one occasion.{{sfn|Brooks|2008|p=54}}

In 1940 after the Fall of France a depôt was established at RAF Cosford for Free Czechoslovak personnel joining the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.{{cite book |last=Janoušek |first=Karel |author-link=Karel Janoušek |year=1942 |title=The Czechoslovak Air Force |place=London |publisher=Inspectorate-General of the Czechoslovak Air Force |page=20}}

The airfield runway was originally a grass strip.{{sfn|Brew|2009|p=5}} During the bad winter of 1940–41 landing heavy aircraft, such as Vickers Wellingtons and Avro Ansons, turned the strip into a mudbath. This prompted the construction of a paved runway of {{convert|1146|yd}} long and {{convert|46|yd}} wide.{{sfn|Brooks|2008|pp=52-53}}

A substantial hospital staffed by Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service personnel was established at RAF Cosford and was the most westerly such RAF hospital in the UK. It consisted of wooden spurred huts. It was the main centre for repatriated prisoners of war, processing more than 13,000 by 1948. Many from the Far East had to remain for long-term treatment.{{sfn|Brooks|2008|p=57}} The hospital was open to the general public as well as servicemen and women. It was closed on 31 December 1977 and demolished in 1980.{{sfn|Brew|2009|p=6}}

The extensive sports facilities at Cosford, located around a banked indoor running track, became well known nationally through televised annual indoor championships that featured top athletes from all over the world.{{sfn|Brew|2009|p=95}}

File:Grob G 115E EA-3.JPG Tutor operated by No. 8 Air Experience Flight RAF posted to RAF Cosford.|left]]Following the UK Government's 2001 Defence Training Review (DTR), the Ministry of Defence proposed handing over armed forces skills training to a private sector bidder for a 25-year term, and it was announced on 17 January 2007 that the Metrix consortium had been awarded Preferred Bidder status for Package 1 of this programme. As a consequence, it was anticipated that all technical training would move from Cosford to Metrix's main campus to be built on the RAF St Athan site over a 5-year period from 2008.{{cite news |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/shropshire/hi/people_and_places/newsid_8751000/8751122.stm |title=Uncertain future for RAF Cosford defence base |date=24 June 2010 |work=BBC News |access-date=20 April 2017}} This in turn was deferred with no anticipated move from Cosford to St Athan for DCAE and No1 RS staff and trainees before 2014–15 at the earliest. For those other training schools, headquarters and units then at Cosford, decisions were yet to be made about their future location.{{cite web |url= http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafcosford/aboutus/dcaecosfordpresent.cfm |title=RAF Cosford present |website=raf.mod.uk |access-date=20 April 2017}}

On 31 January 2008, the Government announced that when 1 Signal Brigade and 102 Logistics Brigade withdrew from Germany they would move to Cosford. It was also noted that Metrix proposed to establish a Learning Centre and Design facility at the Cosford site.{{cite web|url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/lords/2009-07-16/debates/09071652000429/ArmedForcesBORONAProgramme|title=Armed Forces: Borona Programme|publisher=Hansard|date= 16 July 2009|access-date=24 November 2021}}

In December 2012 the Government announced that training facilities from RAF Cosford would be moved by the end of 2015 to the site of the former RAF Station at Lyneham as part of the projected tri-service Defence College of Technical Training, in common with Army and Royal Navy training facilities that would also be consolidated on the site. However, on 15 September 2015, the Defence Secretary, Michael Fallon announced in Parliament by written statement that: the Lyneham site would be used only by the army; that Cosford would not be closed and would remain as a separate RAF training establishment; that it would be given extra work, with a fourth training school (No 4 School of Technical Training) moving to Cosford from MoD St Athan in south Wales. The announcement was described in local media as "a Government U-turn".{{cite news|title=RAF Cosford future is safe after U-turn|date=15 September 2015|work=Shropshire Star|page=1}}

No. 633 Volunteer Gliding Squadron, which operated the Grob Vigilant T1, was disbanded in November 2016.{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/633vgs|title=633 Volunteer Gliding Squadron|date=20 November 2016|website=Facebook|language=en|access-date=15 July 2018}}

No. 2 School of Technical Training reformed on 20 July 2023 and took responsibility for the activities of the Aerosystems Engineer and Management Training School.{{Cite journal |last=Lane |first=Flight Lieutenant Christina |date=Winter 2023 |title=The Reformation of No.2 School of Technical Training |url=https://www.rafmags.co.uk/magazines/raf-cosford-2/cosford-apprentice-winter-2023/ |journal=Cosford Apprentice |pages=17}}

File:Grob g109b zh268 motorglider arp.jpg Vigilant Motor Glider which was operated by No. 633 Volunteer Gliding Squadron at RAF Cosford.]]

Flying and notable non-flying units based at RAF Cosford.{{Cite web |title=RAF Cosford – Who's Based Here |url=https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisation/stations/raf-cosford/ |access-date=11 December 2023 |website=Royal Air Force |language=en}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.raf.mod.uk/rafcosford/aboutus/no1sott.cfm|title=No1 School of Technical Training|website=RAF Cosford|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809234933/https://www.raf.mod.uk/rafcosford/aboutus/no1sott.cfm|archive-date=9 August 2016|access-date=6 November 2017}}

No. 22 (Training) Group

• Defence College of Technical Training
• Defence School of Aeronautical Engineering
• Defence School of Aeronautical Engineering Headquarters
• No. 1 School of Technical Training
• Headquarters No. 1 School of Technical Training
• Aerosystems Training Squadron
• Mechanical Training Squadron
• Trenchard Squadron
• No. 2 School of Technical Training
• Headquarters No. 2 School of Technical Training
• No. 238 Squadron
• Academic Principles Organisation
• Engineer Management Training Flight
• Weapons and Survival Equipment Training Flight

• Defence School of Communications and Information Systems
• No. 1 Radio School
• Defence College of Intelligence
• Joint Intelligence Training Group
• Defence School of Photography
• RAF School of Physical Training
• No. 6 Flying Training School
• University of Birmingham Air Squadron – Grob Tutor T1
• No. 8 Air Experience Flight – Grob Tutor T1
• Royal Air Force Air Cadets
• Wales and West Region Headquarters
• Air Training Corps
• West Mercian Wing
• West Mercian Wing Headquarters
• No. 2497 (Cosford) Squadron
• Staffordshire Wing
• Staffordshire Wing Headquarters
• Combined Cadet Force (RAF)
• TEST Wales and West Area Headquarters

No. 2 Group (Air Combat Support)

• Reserves Logistics Support Wing
• No. 605 (County of Warwick) Squadron (Royal Auxiliary Air Force)

RAF Voluntary Bands Association

• RAF Cosford Voluntary Band
• RAF Cosford Pipes and Drums

• RAF Museum Cosford

• Midlands Air Ambulance – Airbus Helicopters H145

Cosford became part of the Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering (DCAE), which was formed on 1 April 2004. The Defence College at RAF Cosford came under the Defence Technical Training Change Programme (DCTTP) and as such, with effect from 1 October 2012, was renamed the Defence School of Aeronautical Engineering (DSAE).

RAF Cosford's airfield site is home to one of the Midlands Air Ambulance helicopters. The first aircraft arrived on site in October 1991 with two other platforms based elsewhere in the region. Cosford remains the operations hub for the service.{{cite web|url=http://www.midlandsairambulance.com/about-us/history|title=Midlands Air Ambulance History|website=Midlands Air Ambulance|access-date=29 April 2016}}

{{Main|Royal Air Force Museum Cosford}}

The site is also home to the Aerospace Museum, which is a branch of the Royal Air Force Museum. Amongst the large collection of military aircraft is a unique collection of research and development aircraft, including one of two existing examples of the TSR2, a multi-role combat aircraft, controversially scrapped by the Wilson Government and still a point of discussion within the RAF.{{cite web|url=https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/collections/british-aircraft-corporation-tsr-2/|title=British Aircraft Corporation TSR 2|publisher=RAF Museum|access-date=24 November 2021}}

The Cold War Exhibition was opened on 7 February 2007 by former prime minister Baroness Thatcher and HRH Princess Anne.{{cite news|title=High life for painters at museum|work=Shropshire Star|date=27 April 2016|page=5}} Exhibits include the only collection of three V bombers (Valiant, Victor and Vulcan) in the same place in the world.{{cite web|url=https://www.visitshropshire.co.uk/things-to-do/activities/raf-museum-cosford/|title=RAF Museum Cosford|publisher=Visit Shropshire| access-date=24 November 2021}}

{{Infobox recurring event

|name = Cosford Air Show

|logo =

|logo_alt =

|logo_caption=

|logo_size =

|image = The Red Arrows (8998800311).jpg

|image_size =

|alt =

|caption = The Red Arrows performing at the 2013 Airshow

|status = active

|genre = air show

|date = Second Sunday in June{{Cite web|title=RAF Cosford Airshow 2017 Flying Display Programme - Military Airshows in the UK|url=http://www.military-airshows.co.uk/ven6.htm|website=Military-Airshows.co.uk|access-date=20 April 2017}}

|begins =

|ends =

|frequency = annually

|venue = RAF Cosford airfield site

|location =

|coordinates =

|country = England

|years_active=

|first =

|founder_name=

|last =

|prev = Cosford Air Show 2024

|next = Cosford Air Show 2025

|participants=

|attendance = 50,000+

|capacity =

|area =

|budget =

|activity =

|leader_name =

|patron =

|organised =

|filing =

|people =

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|sponsor = Royal Air Force

|website = [http://www.cosfordairshow.co.uk CosfordAirShow.co.uk]

|footnotes =

}}

The Cosford Air Show is now the only Royal Air Force (RAF) air show that is officially supported by the Royal Air Force in the United Kingdom,{{Cite web|title=PREVIEW: RAF Cosford Air Show 2017|url=https://www.airshows.org.uk/2016/11/preview-raf-cosford-air-show-2017/|website=Airshows.org.uk|access-date=20 April 2017}} following the closure of RAF Leuchars, and the runway resurfacing at RAF Waddington.The airshow at Waddington was cancelled and has been reborn at RAF Scampton; however, the Air Force Board only support the Cosford Air Show directly within the RAF. The latter events led to the ending of air shows at those RAF stations.{{Cite web|title=RAF Cosford Air Show by UK airshow review|url=http://www.airshows.co.uk/reports/uk/2016/raf-cosford-air-show/|website=Airshows.co.uk|access-date=20 April 2017}} The event at RAF Cosford regularly hosts flying and static displays which attract more than 50,000 people.{{Cite news|title=50,000 flock to RAF Cosford Air Show 2016|url=http://www.shropshirestar.com/entertainment/2016/06/19/raf-cosford-air-show-2016-live/|newspaper=Shropshire Star|publisher=MNA Media|date=19 June 2016|access-date=20 April 2017}}

An airshow at Cosford was first proposed in 1978{{Cite news|title=Air show called off|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2858829.stm|website=News.BBC.co.uk|publisher=BBC News|date=17 March 2003|access-date=20 April 2017}} and has continued to the present day. The event was cancelled in 2003 owing to an inability to secure enough operational military aircraft. The war in Iraq meant that RAF aircraft were fully committed, and none could be allocated for the air show.{{Cite news|title=Interest 'high' in RAF air show|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/shropshire/3577015.stm|website=News.BBC.co.uk|publisher=BBC News|date=28 March 2004|access-date=20 April 2017}} The runway at RAF Cosford is only {{Convert|1,200|yd|abbr=off}} in length.{{Sfn|McLelland|2010|p=86}} Consequently, most flying displays necessitate aircraft being flown in either direct from their home stations, or after a temporary overnight deployment to RAF Shawbury which has a {{Convert|300|yd|abbr=off}} longer runway.{{Sfn|McLelland|2010|p=203}}{{Cite news|title=Unusual air activity at RAF Shawbury|url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/news/archive.cfm?storyid=F366E222-5056-A318-A847684565B8A2C4|website=RAF.MoD.uk|date=1 June 2010|access-date=20 April 2017}}

The airshow varies in detail from year to year, but comprises the typical mix of flying and static displays, fun-fair rides, concession stands, food outlets, and trade stands.{{Cite news|title=Air show returns to county|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/shropshire/3349637.stm|website=News.BBC.co.uk|publisher=BBC News|date=26 December 2003|access-date=20 April 2017}} It also serves to raise money for charity, whilst also being seen by the Royal Air Force as a recruitment event, as part of its wider public engagement. Recent years have seen the promotion of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) events,{{Cite journal|editor-last=Williams|editor-first=Simon|date=7 April 2017|title=Cosford goes for the double|journal=RAF News|issue=1416|page=9|publisher=Royal Air Force|place=RAF High Wycombe|issn=0035-8614}} with guests such as Carol Vorderman highlighting the STEM approach.{{Cite web|title=Carol Vorderman returns to Cosford Air Show|url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/news/archive/carol-vorderman-returns-to-cosford-air-show-30052014|website=RAF.MoD.uk|date=30 May 2014|access-date=20 April 2017}} All profits raised at the event go to supporting charities officially recognised by the air show committee.{{Cite news|title=RAF Cosford's 75th anniversary marked at air show|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-shropshire-22822698|website=BBC.co.uk|publisher=BBC News|date=9 June 2013|access-date=20 April 2017}} The event in 2016 raised £115,000 for RAF charities.

In 2013, Prince Harry, as a member of No. 662 Squadron of the Army Air Corps, took part in the Apache helicopter demonstration at the air show,{{Cite news|title=Prince Harry shows off Apache helicopter tricks at airshow|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/prince-harry/10109978/Prince-Harry-shows-off-Apache-helicopter-tricks-at-airshow.html|work=Daily Telegraph|date=10 June 2013|access-date=20 April 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130613042647/http://www.Telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/prince-harry/10109978/Prince-Harry-shows-off-Apache-helicopter-tricks-at-airshow.html|archive-date= 13 June 2013}} and, in 2018, Cosford hosted an RAF airshow marking the centenary of the Royal Air Force.{{Cite web|url=https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisation/stations/raf-cosford/news/raf-cosford-air-show-2018-major-success/|title=RAF Cosford 2018 Airshow a major success|publisher=Royal Air Force|date=10 June 2018|access-date=24 November 2021}}

As there is restricted access by motor vehicle, all roads into the Cosford site are one-way during events, with traffic flow inwards in the morning and outwards in the afternoon and evening. Occasionally, there are tailbacks and queuing on the M54 motorway and the slip and access roads have to be closed on the site reaching its 18,000 vehicle parking limit.{{Cite news|title=Record crowd at Cosford Air Show|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/8099287.stm|website=News.BBC.co.uk|publisher=BBC News|date=14 June 2009|access-date=20 April 2017}} The local train operator, Arriva Trains Wales, offers a combined rail and air show ticket at a discount, allowing users direct access to the airshow on foot.{{Cite news|title=Air show train service decimated|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/shropshire/5071860.stm|website=News.BBC.co.uk|publisher=BBC News|date=12 June 2006|access-date=20 April 2017}} Cosford railway station is next to the main crash gate access point at the eastern edge of the airfield.{{Cite news|title=More trains to ease show traffic|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/shropshire/4357875.stm|website=News.BBC.co.uk|publisher=BBC News|date=17 March 2005|access-date=20 April 2017}}

There are hopes that the airshow might be extended to take place over two days, to rival to the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT), which attracts 150,000 spectators.

The RAF Cosford Badge is adorned with an oak tree and the motto is Seul Le Premier Pas Coute, which translates as Only the Beginning is Difficult.{{cite news|title=Down Your Way: A sound base for training; Cosford offers more to the community and the RAF itself than just the famous air show|last=Reyburn|first=Ross|date=2 December 2000|newspaper=Birmingham Post|publisher=Trinity Mirror|pages=8–9}} The oak tree is symbolic of the nearby oak at Boscobel which King Charles II took refuge in after the Battle of Worcester.{{cite web|url=http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/story-of-england/stuarts/1797360/|title=Story of England - Charles The II and The Royal Oak|publisher=English Heritage|access-date=28 May 2016}} The idea behind this association is that from little acorns, great oak trees grow (from trainees the airmen of the future grow).{{cite journal|last=Howells|first=F|date=2000|title=100 Years in Albrighton|journal=Chat Histories|page=58}} This badge was shared with the No. 2 School of Technical Training until 1986, when the School adopted a new badge depicting the iron bridge of Ironbridge and the motto, Scientia Pons Perpetuus Est which translates as Knowledge is a Lasting Bridge.{{cite journal|last=Joyner|first=Andrew|date=1994|title=Royal Air Force Cosford The War Years|publisher=Royal Air Force Cosford|page=9|oclc=810764883|place=Cosford}}

File:Fulton Block at RAF Cosford.jpg

The station's Fulton Block, a combined barracks block, institute and mess, was grade II listed in December 2005. Built between 1938 and 1939 as permanent accommodation for 1,000 personnel, it was designed in the Moderne architectural style by J H Binge, of the Air Ministry's Directorate of Works and Buildings.{{NHLE|num=1407287|desc=Fulton Block, RAF Cosford|access-date=14 April 2019}}

The following are the Station Commanders for RAF Cosford, DCAE and DSAE Cosford.

† Died in office May 2011.{{cite news |title=RAF Cosford station commander's funeral held |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-shropshire-13641135 |access-date=5 June 2017 |work=BBC News |date=3 June 2011}}

On 4 March 2000, Julian Paszki of Wrekin Gliding Club was killed when his Ex-RAF Chipmunk aircraft crashed. The aircraft was seen to veer left and dive into the ground despite being only {{convert|30|ft}} in the air at the time. Mr Paszki was pulled alive from the wreckage but died at Selly Oak Hospital later that same day.{{cite news |last1=Hudson |first1=Jenny |title=Mystery over flight launch pilot's death |newspaper=Sunday Mercury |publisher=Trinity Mirror |date=4 March 2000}}{{cite news |title=Inquiry after pilot dies in mystery plane crash |newspaper=Birmingham Post |publisher=Trinity Mirror |page=4 |issn=0963-7915 |date=6 March 2000}}

RAF Cosford is the location for James May's Toy Stories, where the BBC's Top Gear presenter constructed a 1:1 scale Supermarine Spitfire in the style of an Airfix kit with the help of students from the Thomas Telford school and Air Cadets from the ATC.{{cite news|url=https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/flying-high-with-james-may-3073823|title=Flying high with James May|date=25 May 2013|newspaper=Coventry Telegraph|access-date=24 November 2021}}

• List of Royal Air Force stations

{{reflist|group="note"}}

{{reflist|30em}}

• {{wikicite|ref={{sfnref|Brooks|2008}}|reference=Brooks, Robin. Shropshire Airfields in the Second World War. Newbury, Countryside Books, 2008. {{ISBN|978-1-84674-105-0}}.}}
• {{wikicite|ref={{sfnref|Brew|2009}}|reference=Brew, Alec. RAF Cosford. Stroud, History Press, 2009. {{ISBN|978-0-7524-5211-1}}.}}
• {{wikicite|ref={{sfnref|McLelland|2010}}|reference=McLelland, Tim. Action Stations Revisited: Wales and the Midlands No. Manchester, Crecy Publishing, 2010. {{ISBN|978-0-85979-111-3}}.}}

{{Commons category|RAF Cosford}}

• {{Official website}}
• [http://apprenticeonline.co.uk/ Cosford Apprentice] – RAF Cosford station magazine
• [http://www.cosfordairshow.co.uk/ RAF Cosford Air Show]
• [http://www.cosfordvoluntaryband.co.uk/ RAF Cosford Voluntary Band]
• [http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/cosford/ RAF Museum Cosford]
• [https://www.aidu.mod.uk/aip/pdf/ad/EGWC-Cosford-Combined.pdf UK Military Aeronautical Information Publication – Cosford (EGWC)]

{{Royal Air Force}}

{{Royal Air Force stations}}

{{authority control}}

Cosford

Category:Military units and formations established in 1938

Cosford

633 VGS