The Haunted Bomber: Investigating RAF Cosford’s Most Famous Tale

At first glance, RAF Cosford’s Avro Lincoln RF398 is just another preserved aircraft, a polished relic of post-war aviation history. Yet this long-retired bomber has stirred stories of spectral figures, mysterious sounds, and unexplained happenings for over four decades. Widely dubbed “the world’s most haunted aircraft,” RF398 has attracted curious visitors, paranormal investigators, and sceptics alike. But what makes this aircraft the centrepiece of such ghostly folklore?

A Cold War Relic

The Avro Lincoln was developed during the final stages of the Second World War as an upgrade to the iconic Lancaster bomber. Lincoln RF398 took its first flight in September 1945, which was too late for combat, but it still served the RAF until 1963. After storage and transfers, it arrived at RAF Cosford in 1968, displayed as part of the RAF Museum’s collection.

Though devoid of battle scars, RF398’s history is laced with unexplained tales. It never saw war, nor did anyone reportedly die aboard the aircraft, yet its reputation for paranormal activity rivals that of any haunted battlefield.

First Whispers from the Hangar

The ghostly lore surrounding RF398 began in earnest in 1979. Engineers restoring the aircraft late one night claimed they saw a figure approach before disappearing. The following morning, tools and aircraft parts appeared to have been moved. A year later, a staff member locking up the hangar saw a shadowy figure near the plane. Upon turning the lights back on, nothing remained. Later that week, a mechanic searching in the dark felt a spanner pressed into his hand by an unseen force.

Such incidents soon gained traction among museum staff. Reports grew of doors closing on their own, strange sounds, and ghostly figures seen in the cockpit or rear gun turret of the aircraft. One of the most frequently sighted apparitions is described as a fair-haired young man in a flying outfit, continually vanishing when approached.

Royal Air Force Museum Cosford

The Ghost of Master Pilot Hiller?

Much speculation surrounds the identity of the alleged spirit. One theory points to Master Pilot Hiller, an aviator fondly attached to RF398. Hiller is said to have flown the aircraft during its final flight in 1963 and allegedly vowed to “haunt his baby.” Tragically, he died soon after in an unrelated air crash near Cosford, fuelling beliefs that he kept his promise.

Supporters of this theory cite repeated sightings of a solitary figure inspecting the aircraft or sitting silently in the cockpit. He does not respond to onlookers and vanishes when approached, actions attributed by some to a lingering bond between Hiller and the Lincoln.

Investigations and Intrigue

In 1991, the BBC investigated RF398’s strange reputation. Journalist Gwyn Richards and paranormal investigator Ivan Spenceley spent two nights inside the aircraft with recording equipment. They documented mechanical noises that temperature changes or building acoustics could not easily explain. Former Lincoln aircrews who listened to the recordings reportedly identified some sounds as actions typically carried out during pre-flight procedures, adding weight to the mystery.

Paranormal investigation teams have also attempted to explore RF398. In one case, the Chesterfield Paranormal Research Group left a tape recorder running inside the bomber, only to find it mysteriously unspooled and tampered with just 40 minutes later. Subsequent visits yielded odd noises, particularly around the cockpit.

The most notable televised coverage came from the ITV series Strange But True, hosted by Michael Aspel in the 1990s. One episode featured the haunted Lincoln in a segment exploring inexplicable phenomena, further catapulting RF398 to national attention. Interviews with museum staff and re-enactments of encounters helped to cement the bomber’s haunted status in the public imagination.

Another notable incident occurred in 1984, during the filming of the ITV holiday programme Wish You Were Here. A cameraman reported seeing the ghostly outline of a serviceman while filming the aircraft. The encounter reportedly left the crew shaken and sparked a fresh wave of interest from the media and the paranormal community.

A Shropshire Star photo appearing to show a ghost in the rear gunners turret

Fabrication or Folklore?

While tales of spectral pilots and benevolent spirits have captured visitors’ imaginations for decades, not all of the Lincoln’s haunted history is rooted in mystery. In a twist that complicates the legend, several RAF Cosford engineers admitted in the late 1980s that they had fabricated some of the early ghost stories. Their motive? To protest plans to relocate RF398 to the Manchester Air and Space Museum.

By spreading chilling tales of haunted hangars and eerie activity, they hoped to stir public interest, and perhaps unease sufficient enough to stop the move. The strategy seems to have proved successful. As the ghost stories gained momentum in the press and popular culture, the idea of separating the haunted bomber from its spiritual home was quietly abandoned.

Yet the confessions didn’t put the matter to rest. Many of the most compelling sightings and unexplained incidents have occurred since the hoax was exposed. Paranormal investigators and museum staff argue that while the initial tales may have been manufactured, they might have drawn attention to genuine phenomena. Whether coincidental or not, RF398’s reputation grew stronger in the following years.

Guardian Spirit or Flight of Fancy?

Not all stories related to RF398 are frightening. One electrician who fell 15 feet while working on the aircraft claimed an invisible force saved him. Expecting serious injury, he described floating gently to the ground, an experience he attributes to a protective spirit.

Other workers claim tools appear just when needed, or that they sense a benevolent presence aiding them during repairs. If something is missing, it reappears in precisely the right place. Such stories paint a picture of a ghost not just haunting, but actively helping those who care for the aircraft.

Public Fascination and Media Legacy

RF398’s legend has entered mainstream culture. It has been the subject of television documentaries, local news stories, and countless online articles. Reporter Maureen Carter collected over 30 eyewitness accounts for the BBC. One photograph taken by a visitor in 1991 shows a ghostly figure in the rear turret, stirring debate among believers and sceptics alike.

Today, the bomber continues to draw those intrigued by the paranormal. It is a staple of haunted Shropshire folklore, and even casual museum-goers often pause a little longer at its shadowy frame.

The Avro Lincoln Bomber RF398 at RAF Cosford Museum.

Conclusion: The Eternal Enigma of RF398

Whether a trick of the light, the echoes of human imagination, or genuine paranormal activity, RF398 remains one of Britain’s most intriguing ghost stories. For believers, it’s a vessel for the restless spirit of a dedicated aviator. For sceptics, it’s a case study in how legends are born. For all who visit RAF Cosford, it’s a chance to ponder the mysterious connection between man, machine, and memory.

RF398 may never fly again, but its story soars ever higher in the skies of the unexplained.