For forty years, from the end of the Second World War, western nations were engaged in a game of nuclear stalemate with the Soviet Union - the Cold War.

In Minutes to Midnight we shine a light on the aircraft in our collection that played a part in the Cold War, from the mighty Victor to the Buccaneer and Tornado.

You can learn about the origins of the Cold War and see an example of the WE177 atomic bomb, carried by British aircraft until the 1990s.

Head to the main T2 hangar to see the centrepiece of the whole exhibition – our newly repainted RAF Buccaneer in Cold War era colours. This jet would have carried the WE177 to bomb targets across the Iron Curtain.

Out of the hangars you can discover the Cold War roles played by other aircraft in our collection, including the Handley Page Victor, part of the UK’s V-Force of nuclear bombers.

In our cinema - watch Cold War Stories., eyewitness accounts of the Cold War from people who lived through it.

Imagine knowing your dad’s job was building components for nuclear bombs. What was it like growing up in the Soviet Union, where the West were seen as the bad guys?

These are compelling accounts of a time in human history where, on more than one occasion, we appeared to be moments away from catastrophic conflict.

Minutes to Midnight - running until September.