Duxford Air Show

[Cheib]

My little lad is 4 years old and one of his mate's Dad's asked me if I fancied going on a Dads n lads trip to the Duxford Air Show. Is it a good day out for kids that age ? From what I've read Duxford gets rave reviews for family days outs but just wondering if the air show is the wrong day to visit? Is everything else open or because it's the Air Show are the rest of the facilities shut or just stupidly busy.

I've got some kids ear defenders......

[pk500]

Been there today ! car show it is a large place about 7 hanger it takes a good day to look around so even going on a normal day there is enough to do !

[KelWedge]

Me there as well today, Great for all, It is a big place

[dr_gn]

Depends on the little lad - my 4 year old was most interested in the play area...

Duxford is an amazing place though, especially for a display. I'll be at the Spring Airshow with the boy (and the rest of the family).

[aeropilot]

Cheib said:

My little lad is 4 years old and one of his mate's Dad's asked me if I fancied going on a Dads n lads trip to the Duxford Air Show. Is it a good day out for kids that age ? From what I've read Duxford gets rave reviews for family days outs but just wondering if the air show is the wrong day to visit? Is everything else open or because it's the Air Show are the rest of the facilities shut or just stupidly busy.

I've got some kids ear defenders......

Everything is open, and it's a great day out.

However, at 4 years old, it's likely to be a long (maybe too long) a day for a 4 year old, and as posted by others, more likely he'll be far more interested in the play area than anything else.

I wouldn't think you'll need the ear defenders for him, nothing flying in the display has reheat (only jets are the Red Arrows plus a solo Hunter and Sabre) everything else flying is piston/prop.

[dr_gn]

Push Chair? Backpack carrier? Almost certainly grown out of both at 4 yrs, but depending on how big he is, these things certainly help if the little lad's too tired to walk, but you still want to wander around. Last thing you want is to make the day memorable only for the wrong reasons for him. As others have said, it can be a long day especially if it's hot - don't forget suncream!

[Cheib]

Oh I'm not one for pushing my luck.....the minute he gets anywhere near the red zone I'll be heading home!

If he gets to see some aeroplanes, have a bit of fun with his mate, and be excited enough that he comes home and wants to tell his Mum what a great time he had that's all that counts.

[IanMorewood]

Depends on the kid, our 2 year old girl would love it but our 6 year old boy would run about look at the planes for 15 mins and then ask where the gift shop was. Still plan to take both to Waddington though later in the season.

[Simpo Two]

dr_gn said:

Depends on the little lad - my 4 year old was most interested in the play area...

This was my thought too. You may be able to watch/enjoy aeroplanes perfoming but children that age have the attention span of a fruitfly and simply won't be interested I fear. 'Bouncy castle, woo!' 'Yes but look, that's a Lancaster that is...'. 'Bouncy castle, woo!'

[Cheib]

Simpo Two said:

dr_gn said:

Depends on the little lad - my 4 year old was most interested in the play area...

This was my thought too. You may be able to watch/enjoy aeroplanes perfoming but children that age have the attention span of a fruitfly and simply won't be interested I fear. 'Bouncy castle, woo!' 'Yes but look, that's a Lancaster that is...'. 'Bouncy castle, woo!'

I'm not dragging him there so I can enjoy it...which I wouldn't if he was tired/bored/hungry! It's about a fun day out for him which hopefully he'll enjoy with one of his freinds....sure they'll want to play etc but I also reckon he'll be pretty excited to see a few aeroplanes at close quarters. He loves going to Hendon.

[Simpo Two]

Cheib said:

He loves going to Hendon.

Ah right, well that's encouraging. You won't get to see all of Duxford in a day so make a shortlist. If he likes tanks, the land warfare museum at the west end is very good.

[dr_gn]

Cheib said:

Simpo Two said:

dr_gn said:

Depends on the little lad - my 4 year old was most interested in the play area...

This was my thought too. You may be able to watch/enjoy aeroplanes perfoming but children that age have the attention span of a fruitfly and simply won't be interested I fear. 'Bouncy castle, woo!' 'Yes but look, that's a Lancaster that is...'. 'Bouncy castle, woo!'

I'm not dragging him there so I can enjoy it...which I wouldn't if he was tired/bored/hungry! It's about a fun day out for him which hopefully he'll enjoy with one of his freinds....sure they'll want to play etc but I also reckon he'll be pretty excited to see a few aeroplanes at close quarters. He loves going to Hendon.

To be fair, if you're going on an airshow day, you're not going to miss much by being at the playground anyway - it's not that far behind the crowd line, and the aircraft are, well, in the air.

[Cheib]

dr_gn said:

To be fair, if you're going on an airshow day, you're not going to miss much by being at the playground anyway - it's not that far behind the crowd line, and the aircraft are, well, in the air.

And being four years old he's not going to want to be in the crowd, he won't see much! Unless he's on my shoulders which would a) make me very unpopular with anyone behind me and ) put me in traction if he was on my shoulders for a few hours!

[dr_gn]

Airfix sometimes have a "make and paint" table at these shows (usually in the Air Space building) where the boy can build and paint a simple model (Spitfire usually). I think it's free.

[Simpo Two]

1/72 Spitfire must be the most popular Airfix kit ever - wonder how many they've sold?

[Eric Mc]

Millions.

They have issued at least seven completely different kits of 1/72 Spitfires since the mid 1950s.

[stew-S160]

I was just looking at the details for the Spring Air Show on the 26th. Other than the stupid price, I think I might go. http://www.iwm.org.uk/events/iwm-duxford/spring-ai...

[dr_gn]

stew-S160 said:

I was just looking at the details for the Spring Air Show on the 26th. Other than the stupid price, I think I might go. http://www.iwm.org.uk/events/iwm-duxford/spring-ai...

I missed the deadline for pre-booking (free kids and 10% discount) by 30 seconds on Monday night. So much for being organised.

[Mutley]

I usually go, but this year I've had to miss it. Annoying as I want to see the new Eagle Squadron (and the P-51C) and the Sabre

Oh well, they'll be the Summer and autum shows to get to

[dnb]

I got my tickets for the spring airshow on Monday. Looking forward to my daughter seeing "her" red arrows again. She's been asking to see them since the display over the IOW in June 2011.