Episode 9 Behind the Scenes at the RAF Museum

Never Mind The Dambusters

Jane and James discuss their upcoming talks at the We Have Ways of Making You Talk Second World War History Festival in July, and introduce their guests, Dr. Megan Kelleher and Rab Cooper, from the RAF Midlands Museum.
Megan and Rab discuss the challenges of presenting the Air War to modern audiences, including the ethical questions surrounding strategic bombing in the Second World War. They also talk about the importance of engaging with younger generations and the evolving nature of memory and scholarship. The conversation covers various topics related to the RAF Museum and the memory of the air war in Britain.
The hosts and guests discuss the importance of museums in preserving history and honouring the memory of those who served. They also mention specific objects and aircraft on display at the museum, such as Wing Commander Guy Gibson's medals and the V Bombers, and even Douglas Bader's legs! The conversation touches on the emotional impact of memorials and the stories behind them. They also talk about the research projects and exhibitions at the museum.
Keywords
We Have Ways of Making You Talk, Second World War, History Festival, talks, RAF Midlands Museum, strategic bombing, ethical questions, scholarship, heritage sector, presenting the story, generational shifts, challenges, modern audiences, engagement, technology, living memory, access to objects, conservation, artificial intelligence, public history, heritage sector, bombing war, memory, air war, museums, objects, aircraft, memorials, research projects, exhibitions
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and We Have Ways of Making You Talk Festival
03:03 Guest Introduction: Dr. Megan Kelleher and Rab Cooper
07:21 The Ethical Questions of Strategic Bombing
19:09 Memory, Scholarship, and Keeping Exhibitions Relevant
21:14 Challenges of Engaging with Younger Generations
25:45 The Importance of Museums in History Education
27:18 Memory of the Air War and Conceptualizing Memorials
31:51 Researching and Remembering Ancestors
36:44 Favourite Objects and Aircraft at the RAF Museum
43:18 Personal Stories and Emotional Connections
49:58 Future Plans for the Museum
51:06 Upcoming Episode: Researching Your Bomber Command Ancestor
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