IWM Duxford

A reconstruction of the place where RAF Duxford’s fighter aircraft were directed into combat during the Battle of Britain.

The fixtures and fittings of this historic room were removed long ago, but today you can see an accurate reconstruction of the Operations Room. A variety of different sources of evidence, including documents, photographs, film and personal recollections, were used in ensuring the Operations Room looks as it did in 1940.

Suitable for

• Family friendly

Admission

Included in IWM Duxford admission

Website

http://www.iwm.org.uk/exhibitions/iwm-duxford/1940-operations-room

Discover how Britain defended the country and controlled the sea during the First World War and beyond.

As an island, Britain’s control of the sea was vital to its defence. Air and Sea shows the changes in defence methods, from the giant battleships of the First World War to modern-day submarines and aircraft carriers.

Suitable for

• Family friendly

Admission

Included in IWM Duxford admission

Website

http://www.iwm.org.uk/exhibitions/iwm-duxford/air-and-sea

AirSpace tells the story of aviation in Britain and the Commonwealth, featuring over 30 iconic aircraft including Concorde and the Spitfire.

Since the pioneering days of flight, Britain and the Commonwealth have played a major role in the field of aircraft development. In AirSpace you can see many types of both military and civil aircraft through the ages.

The Exhibitions Gallery provides a fun and interactive way for the whole family to learn more about the aircraft and some of the themes you can explore elsewhere at IWM Duxford. And don’t miss the opportunity to go on board our Concorde, open from 10am to 5pm during our summer opening hours and from 11am to 3pm during winter opening hours - please call 01223 835 000 before your visit for the latest information on Concorde operating hours.

AirSpace also features The Wright Flyer Exhibition, which commemorates the first powered, sustained and controlled flight made by the American Wright brothers; a flight that marked the birth of modern aviation. The exhibition showcases an original piece of fabric taken from the Flyer, the aircraft in which the Wright brothers made their inaugural flight.

AirSpace is also home to Airborne Assault, the museum of The Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces, which tells the stories of soldiers who go to war from the air.

Suitable for

• Family friendly

Admission

Included in IWM Duxford admission

Website

http://www.iwm.org.uk/exhibitions/iwm-duxford/airspace

A team of dedicated staff and volunteers at IWM Duxford care for hundreds of our unique exhibits.

The techniques and materials used to preserve a First World War aircraft are very different to those required for a modern military jet, but both need expert care to preserve them for future generations. Much of this vital work is carried out in full view of visitors in Conservation in Action.

Major restoration work only becomes necessary when the aircraft has been acquired in a severely damaged, incomplete or badly corroded condition. This is also true of the Duxford Aviation Society's collection of civil aircraft, most of which have been flown into the airfield for preservation.

Suitable for

• Family friendly

Admission

Included in IWM Duxford admission

Website

http://www.iwm.org.uk/exhibitions/iwm-duxford/conservation-in-action

The American Air Museum at IWM Duxford stands as a memorial to the 30,000 American airmen who gave their lives flying from UK bases during the Second World War, and also honours those who fought in Korea, Vietnam, Libya, Iraq and other conflicts and battles of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.

This outstanding example of contemporary British architecture by Foster and Partners houses the largest collection of US historic military aircraft in Europe, including a vintage B-17 Flying Fortress, B-24 Liberator, B-25 Mitchell, P-47 Thunderbolt, and aircraft from the Cold War era such as a B-52 Stratofortress, SR-71 Blackbird and F-4 Phantom.

Explore our new American Air Museum website and discover the memories and stories of the men and women of the US Army Air Forces who served in Great Britain during the Second World War.

Suitable for

• Family friendly

Admission

Included in IWM Duxford admission

Website

http://www.iwm.org.uk/exhibitions/iwm-duxford/the-american-air-museum

Explore the two former RAF Type 2 hangars where some of the privately-owned historic aircraft are restored, maintained and prepared for flight.

At IWM Duxford we run an active airfield. Since 1977 our runway has been open to private fliers and over the years it has been used by a variety of historic and modern aircraft.

One of the largest and most famous aircraft to operate from IWM Duxford is the Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress Sally B, star of the film Memphis Belle. Sally B and other privately-owned ‘warbirds’ based at IWM Duxford are in frequent demand for air displays and filming, both in the UK and abroad.

During opening hours a small team of professional air traffic controllers, working from a Second World War control tower, provide flight information services to pilots based at IWM Duxford and to others flying in and out of the airfield.

Suitable for

• Family friendly

Admission

Included in IWM Duxford admission

Website

http://www.iwm.org.uk/exhibitions/iwm-duxford/flying-aircraft

Historic Duxford is a new exhibition and historic site trail for families which explores Duxford's time as an RAF airfield from 1918 to 1961.

With many things to watch, listen to, have a go at, wear and even smell, Historic Duxford paints a vivid picture of daily life at RAF Duxford. Hear and see fascinating personal stories told by the men and women who worked and lived at RAF Duxford, in sound and film.

See the Watch Office, the forerunner to the Control Tower, as it might have been during the late 1930s.

Complementing the Historic Duxford exhibition is a heritage trail around the historic site with eight interactive posts. Each post features audio memories from veterans who worked at RAF Duxford. Pick up an activity sheet from the exhibition to complete as you follow the trail.

Discover Duxford’s own story – its eventful past and fascinating people.

Entry to Historic Duxford is included in admission to IWM Duxford.

Suitable for

• Family friendly

Admission

Included in admission to IWM Duxford

Website

http://www.iwm.org.uk/exhibitions/iwm-duxford/historic-duxford

Daily, from 10.30am to 2.30pm, we’ll be marveling at the impressive Avro Lancaster in our AirSpace exhibition and finding out about the bombing campaigns carried out by this type of aircraft.We’ll be hosting talks about our legendary Lancaster at 10.30am, 11.15am and 12pm. Hold and handle equipment and uniforms from the Lancaster bomber between 10.30am and 2.30pm.

From 10.30am to 2.30pm, we’ll be making aircraft-themed keyrings for school bags under the vast wings of the supersonic Concorde in AirSpace.

From 12.30pm to 3pm, the career of Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery, 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein – popularly known as ‘Monty’ - takes centre stage. One of the most famous military commanders of the Second World War, it was ‘Monty’ who accepted the surrender of all German forces in Holland, North West Germany and Denmark, leading to Victory in Europe.

At 12.30pm, our history interpreter, dressed as a member of General Montgomery’s 8th Army, will explore the battle of El Alamain.

At 1.30pm, we’ll discover Monty’s strategy for the crossing of the Rhine and how his caravan-based tactical headquarters contributed to his success in this campaign.

At 3pm, we’ll see how Montgomery accepted the surrender of the German forces and find out how terms were carefully negotiated before the surrender was publically announced, ending the Second World War in Europe.

February half term activities are included in general admission to the museum.

Suitable for

Admission

Normal admission charges apply

Website

http://www.iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-duxford

The VE Day Anniversary Air Show pays tribute to the men, women and children who endured six years of conflict on the fighting fronts and the Home Front of the Second World War.

Our flying display honours the Allied forces, and their aircraft, from across the world, which contributed towards Victory in Europe. Across IWM Duxford, we remember the fortitude of the British people on the Home Front and evoke the spirit of celebration and weary relief with which they marked VE Day.

Suitable for

• Family friendly

Website

http://www.iwm.org.uk/events/iwm-duxford

The Flying Legends Air Show is famous the world over for its unique presentations of historic piston-engined aircraft in rare combinations and remarkable flying displays. Complementing dramatic displays in the air is the authentic 1940s atmosphere that can be experienced across IWM Duxford.

The flying display promises an unmissable fusion of power, sound, excitement and nostalgia as iconic piston-engined aircraft from across the globe perform their breathtaking flights over IWM Duxford’s historic airfield.

The balbo, a massed-formation finale, featuring many of the aircraft which have taken part in the stunning flying display, is unique to the Flying Legends Air Show and a world-renowned spectacle.

Suitable for

• Family friendly

Website

http://www.iwm.org.uk/events/iwm-duxford

The Battle of Britain Anniversary Air Show commemorates the 75th anniversary of the aerial battle that proved a strategic turning point in the Second World War.

We remember RAF Duxford’s role in the Battle of Britain, as the home of the first squadron to fly Spitfires and also for some of the RAF’s best-known fighter pilots, including Douglas Bader.

We honour the men and women who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that those iconic aircraft took to the skies to continue the fight for aerial supremacy.

Suitable for

• Family friendly

Website

http://www.iwm.org.uk/events/iwm-duxford