About Us

The museum project originated in a very small way in 1992, however due to a great deal of hard work by volunteers and ex-servicemen and women of the old RAF Millom our collection has all but outgrown the present buildings and the yard we occupy. We now need to look to the future and perhaps the need for a big extension project as the exhibits we acquire get larger.

The RAF Millom Museum operates in partnership with the Lancashire Aircraft Investigation Team, South Lancashire Aviation Research and Peak District Air Crash Research were the collections of these groups are displayed, at the museum we cover the aviation and military history of the North West which includes Lancashire, Cumbria, Merseyside, Greater Manchester, North Cheshire, North Wales and the Peak District. During 2005 we plan further expansion based on planned archaeological excavations in all of the regions we cover, we wish to  establish our position as the leading independently funded collection in the North West region.

We have assisted in the publication of numerous books and articles and the making of a number of television programmes including in 2004 the filming of an episode of Channel 4's "Time Team" archaeological program where two American A-26 Invaders aircraft were recovered from a marsh near Preston. Talks/presentations are also undertaken to various organisations.

We aim to research and record the aviation heritage of our region and where appropriate to recover and preserve associated artifacts. Whilst our primary interest is in the air war over the North West of England during WW2, our research extends back to the earliest days of aviation, during which the region played a prominent role. During WW2 the region was largely associated with training of aircrews and aircraft building and maintenance, although it is true that Manchester and Liverpool suffered badly during the Blitz. Thus most of the incidents we research involve accidents during training or testing of aircraft. Though the human cost was none the less tragic for the families of those who lost their lives or the memory of their sacrifice any the less important. Wherever possible we try to ensure that the results of our research and any finds we uncover go on public display and regularly organise temporary displays at local libraries, museums and occasionally schools.

An important part of our group's activities is the publishing of the findings of our research on the group's websites. These sites are regularly updated with new information on ongoing research projects and detailed accounts of new projects as they develop. In this way we are able to share the results of our work and have built up an extensive network of contacts with aviation historians and writers world-wide, who in turn share information with us.  

Therefore we are appealing for those with memories of the war/home front etc to contact the Museum or a regional with personal recollections and photographs or memorabilia etc to add to a permanent display on life here in the North West. Any person doing so will receive free admission to the museum. We would also gladly receive any donation or loan of material to enhance and further grow the displays for the benefit of future donations. However small a donation or loan may be it will gladly be appreciated and collection can also usually be arranged.