On Tuesday, December 2, 2014, His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh arrived at the Royal Air Force Museum in London to view the new exhibition entitled, First World War in the Air.

This new permanent exhibition will:

“…enable visitors to discover and explore the unique and often overlooked role of air power during the First World War through the incredible stories of the men and women who served and protected our nation.

Set in a Grade II listed building, which was part of one of the factories where aircraft were constructed for the First World War, the exhibition uses these authentic surroundings and the RAF Museum’s world-class collection of aircraft, documents, film and photographs to reveal how aviation changed the character of war forever.

[First World War in the Air] explores what it was like to be involved in the earliest days of military aviation through the story of Britain’s air services, the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Naval Air Service. These two organizations merged on 1 April 1918 to become the world’s first independent air force, the Royal Air Force. Displays incorporate the experiences of pilots, ground crew and factory workers to help tell this fascinating story.”

First World War in the Air will be open to the public on December 4, 2014.