The centre, costing £2.4 million, was opened by Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Michael Beetham.

The site can be reached by public transport via the neighbouring Cosford railway station on the Wolverhampton to Shrewsbury Line.

Several of the jet airliners were subsequently broken up, including the only Boeing 707 that was preserved in the UK, a Vickers VC10 and a Hawker Siddeley Trident.

[4] The exhibition concept and design was developed by Neal Potter and includes 'silo theatres' which depict, in a variety of media, the key tensions of the Cold War period.

The museum holds a large collection of missiles and rocket-powered weapons, including several rare German World War II types.

It is named in honour of Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Michael James Beetham, GCB, CBE, DFC, AFC, DL and it was opened by him on 13 May 2002.