ECJ EUROPEAN Cleaning Journal

Cleaners suspended from ropes are currently giving a range of museum aircraft their annual spring clean.

The specialist team has been asked to dust down eight ‘planes at the RAF Museum Cosford in Shropshire. However, the aircraft in question are 30 metres above the ground.

The models are housed in the museum's National Cold War Exhibition, claimed to be the largest Cold War exhibition in the UK.

"When it comes to the aircraft suspended from the ceiling a unique challenge emerges," said RAF Museum Midlands curator Tom Hopkins. "These iconic aircraft reach up to 100 feet in places, and navigating such dizzying heights requires a specialist team equipped with the necessary skills and equipment."

The team will be strapped into harnesses and will climb the building's rafters before abseiling down to access the aircraft. Cleaning will be carried out using large soft fibre mops but no detergents.

The team will also be inspecting the suspension cables supporting the aircraft in their flying display positions.

The RAF Museum, which also houses tanks, vehicles, models, memorabilia and a section of the Berlin Wall, will remain open while the work is being carried out so that visitors can see the cleaners in action.