History

The Society was formed in 1971, prior to the opening of the Museum by Her Majesty The Queen. The first President was the late Duke of Hamilton and Brandon, and his successor was the late Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Dermot Boyle. The current President is Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Michael Beetham GCB CBE DFC AFC DL FRAeS.

In 1977 the Friends formed their own voluntary General Purposes Committee to administer the Society and so relieve the Museum Staff to concentrate on their own work in the Museum.