West Midlands Ghost Club

 

Tuesday 22nd September 2020

It's been almost 30 years now, since members of the W.M.G.C. first visited Cosford Aerospace Museum in Shropshire.  Our decision to take a look at the site at that initial point was a direct consequence of a fascinating B.B.C. Radio 4 documentary, 'The Haunting Of RF398', which had been broadcast a month or so earlier.

At the time of tapping out this note, I couldn't accurately guess at the amount of further visits I've taken to the museum, over the years, in the company of 'ghostie-related' friends and family; but it's always been a pleasure to find myself standing in the shadow of the imposing - allegedly haunted - Lincoln Bomber, RF398, once more......

As visitors to this page will probably know, strange stories surrounding the aircraft in question began during the 1970's, while it was still in the process of being renovated and repaired.  Mechanics are said to have regularly discovered necessary tools being 'moved out of reach' inexplicably.... and rumours of a figure, in 'full flying gear', glimpsed around the workplace?  Interestingly, once the repairs were finished and RF398 installed in the museum itself, numerous visitors to the site - including TV / media staff and crew - have supposedly seen a head and shoulders, wearing typical pilot gear, up in the cockpit of the plane!?

During the 1980's, R.A.F. Cosford allowed a number of paranormal investigations to be held in the aircraft, at which point (supposedly) inexplicable sounds of operational 'gear' - switches, ratchet devices and so on - were recorded, seemingly being manipulated by unseen hands inside the cockpit!?  It was this, along with rumours of other ghostly activity, that led to the BBC interest in the location and subsequent coverage.  (*It should be mentioned here, however, that these 'operational sound' recordings have been an item of considerable debate, over the years, and where potentially 'faked' by certain parties for ulterior reasons?)

Whatever the truth behind the alleged 'hauntings' at R.A.F. Cosford Museum, it is always a most enjoyable and fascinating place to explore.  Needless to say, our most recent visit - on July 19th this year - came amid all of the hustle, bustle and concern generated by the ongoing 'Covid 19' affair.  While certain sections of the overall site were closed off to the public at this point - Hangar No.1, for example - the museum is still currently open to the public, though Covid related terms and conditions  obviously apply.......