The aircraft restoration company is the largest of the specialist aero engineering companies sited at duxford airfield, cambridgeshire. Iwm duxford is a historic airfield and museum telling the stories of those who lived. Imperial war museum duxford is a branch of the imperial war museum near duxford in. Duxford was not immune to the harsh weather of an east anglian winter, though, and the damp muddy airfield was given a further nickname in 1944 duckpond. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Duxford airfield later became a fighter airfield for the united states army air forces operating p47 thunderbolt aircraft. During the 1920s and 30s, expansion continued apace, with three. This centre for historic aviation is not to be missed. In keeping with the sites history many of duxfords original buildings, such as. Established in 1917 to train royal flying corps aircrew, during wwi duxford was also the base for two united states aero squadrons, 7 and 159, and by the end was a mobilization airfield for three dh9 day bomber squadrons. Building 59, imperial war museum, duxford airfield, duxford, cambridge, cb22 4qr. See live conservation in action and watch restored aircraft take to the skies from the historic airfield. Airfield duxford gives its name to raf duxford, a former royal air force airfield that was used as a sector station during the battle of britain.
Other collections stored at duxfords north side include books, maps. Published in association with duxford imperial war museum and smithsonian national air and space museum. Its role was to train pilots for the rapidlyexpanding royal flying corps. Duxford can be combined with cambridge on a day tour from london see day tours or on our best in britain tour see overnight tours. In september 1918 raf duxford opened as a flying school, and after the war ended the airfield was used as a base for the disbandment of squadrons from the continent. Fly a spitfire from duxford spitfire flights book your. Originally known as duxworth and listed as dukeswrthe in the 10th century, and dochesuuorde in the domesday book the villages name comes from worth enclosure of a man called duc. Flying at duxford flight experiences at duxford aerodrome. From the wright brothers first powered flight, to concordes final voyage and the tragic crash of the columbia, take a skyhigh journey through the history of aviation.
Duxford airfield dates back to 1918 when many of the buildings were constructed with german prisonerofwar labour. The airfield housed 8 squadron in 19191920 which was equipped with f. Duxford aerodrome was the home of douglas baders big wing during that battle. Your flight is sure to delight, as you have a very privileged view of those planefilled hangars, runways and aprons here at iwm duxford in cambridgeshire. The aerial collective team are solely dedicated to providing warbird flight experiences from a new facility built within our hangars here at iwm duxford airfield. Easy to access and steeped in history, this famous heritage site is family friendly with onsite restaurant, cafes and childrens play area. But the council says both sites have already been the subject of enforcement action. Jun 25, 2018 see history come to life through conservation in action and watch restored aircraft taking to the skies from the same airfield the raf flew from in the first and second world wars. The american air museum is a wonderful part of the imperial war museum duxford and is free to enter for visitors to duxford.
Today iwm duxford is established as the european centre of aviation history. In 1972 the ministry of defence began to house historically important aircraft in the hangars, which became the imperial war museum duxford. Spitfire flight experience when i spoke to cliff last july at the raf100 celebrations on horse guards parade about the possibility of zoe flying with him in a spitfire at duxford as a 40th birthday gift, with a lifetime in aviation i was under no illusion that a such an outcome could only be achieved if many factors came together simultaneously. We operate out of raf duxford, the optimum airfield for the finest spitfire and. One of the most important and iconic airfields during the battle of britain. We operate out of iwm duxford, the optimum airfield for the finest two seater spitfire and vintage warbird flight experiences. It is possible to book flights in some of these aircraft.
Duxford aerodrome is located 8nm south of cambridge, within the parish of duxford, cambridgeshire, england and. Duxford historic airfield and museum of aviation history 2020. The memories it brought back to her were priceless, especially as dad had already passed away. The area around the airfield is also very noisesensitive and specific procedures. Operations block and blast walls building 59, duxford. Book an exclusive spitfire, mustang or sea fury flight experience. Even better if the airfield has a bit of history as well. The first aerodrome in fighter command to receive the spitfire in august 1938, raf duxford rose to supreme. A continental breakfast is available daily at the bed and breakfast.
Construction of the training depot station tds started in october 1917, and the first units including americans arriving in march 1918. From this historic base the company provides an extensive range of aviation services for aircraft owners. Duxford was built in the final months of the first world war. My photograph of the gnat pair at the duxford air show weekend of 89 september 2012. Duxford is established as the european centre of aviation history. A history in photographs from 1917 to the present day by richard smith isbn. The british and french preproduction aircraft had several changes in design compared to the earlier prototype concordes.
The airfield is easy to find, the runways are in excellent condition both the grass and hard ones, the atc duxford information, is professional, friendly and helpful especially with help on local reporting points and the refuelling was by bowser who got to us just after shutdown. Concorde gaxdn forms part of the duxford aviation society british airliner collection and is proudly on display in the airspace hangar at iwm duxford. A british concorde, spitfire, and lancaster are among the over 200 international aircraft at iwm duxford, britains largest aviation museum. The airfield hosts a variety of flying activities throughout the year, with flying displays and highenergy practices often flown close to and in the atz up to 4,500ft. Visit iwm duxford on your trip to duxford or united kingdom. Take a private tour direct from london to the historic duxford airfield. The airfield is owned by the imperial war museum iwm and is the site of the imperial war museum duxford and the american air museum. Housed on a former royal air force airfield, the museum also has tanks, military vehicles, and naval vessels, including two midget submarines from world war ii. Home to a stunning range of aircraft and museums dedicated to aviation history. I usually preferred to take photos inside the airfield from the m11 end which is why i have only been outside the airfield three times prior to 2015.
Duxford was an operational fighter airfield before it became iwm duxford, primarily. In 1924, under reorganised home defence arrangements, raf duxford became a fighter station, a role it was to carry out with distinction for 37 years. Spacious and modern double room with tv, radio, wifi, private ensuite shower room, parking and breakfast included. Duxford flight experiences offer you a piece of the aviation action at a bustling airfield where history is, quite literally, in the air. Iwm duxford war museum aviation oral history in cambridge.
Photographed from far out in the then naughty field opposite the airfield though i had a ticket for the show. She served in the raf at duxford in the 1950s, and it was there that she met dad. Visit this fascinating former airfield and us fighter base with an outstanding collection of over 200 historic aircraft from spitfires to concorde on show. Duxford airfield dates to 1918 when many of the buildings were constructed by german prisonerofwar labour.
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