What to see at Duxford?
Discussion
So, I've decided to take a day off work and visit Duxford later this month. I've never been before so I'd like to ask: Does anyone have any recommendations of what there is 'not to be missed', 'hidden gems that you might overlook' or info on the deeper significance of any exhibit that is not apparent on first sight?
Your top-tips for a visit to Duxford in other words for me and the whole forum.
Many thanks!
Rob
Your top-tips for a visit to Duxford in other words for me and the whole forum.
Many thanks!
Rob
I took my boy there this summer and he's eight. He loved the main display where there are full-size aircraft hanging from the ceiling and he thought Concorde was cool. Because it was the school holidays there were members of staff explaining things to the kids about how the different aircraft worked and allowing them to see some of the kit the WWII aircrew wore, such as flying suits and Mae West lifejackets.
Upstairs in the main display hall are lots of things that kids can get their hands on to explain how aeroplanes fly, with plenty of buttons to push and levers to yank. It doesn't really matter if he can't grasp the theory, most kids just like making the propellers turn and the levers move.
The hangers where the warbirds are maintained are interesting if you want to see how they are put together and you can see how much time an effort goes into keeping them flying.
There used to be a wartime "Prefab" house which you could look around and see how families lived during and just after the war. There is also a (very large) naval gun taken from the Gibraltar defences which is impressive close up and a V1 Doodlebug on its launch ramp.
The American Airforce Museum is pretty impressive with a B52 and SR71 Blackbird. Suspended from the ceiling are other aircraft including an A10 tank-buster which is at an angle so you can see the large gun pointing out of the nose.
The Land Warfare Hall (which is at the far end of the site beyond the airliners) lets you get close up to lots of impressive tanks/guns/armoured cars etc. There is also a walk though a mock-up D-Day landing craft which leads into an area where kids can have a go holding a .303 rifle and Thompson sub-machine gun as well as try on steel helmets and feel the weight of packs the troops had to carry onto the beaches (adults can have a go too!). It can get a bit crowded.
If your visit is timed right, there are a number of working armoured vehicles, operated and maintained by staff & volunteers that could be churning up the mud in the viewing area, which is through a glass door at the far end of the Land Warfare Hall.
If I remember correctly, in one of the hangers there is a midget submarine, which you used to be able to look around.
The airliners lined up on the concrete apron are usually open and often there is a guide inside who can point out the salient points. Its the only way you can get to see inside an airliner cockpit these days. Most of the airliners are maintained by volunteers and rely on donations, so pop some loose change in the collecting box if you do have a look around.
There really is enough to keep you occupied for a whole day and there is a cafe if you want some hot food, although you may want to take sandwiches as there is plenty of open space for a picnic and the weather is good. Most days there are light aircraft taking off and landing, and if you're very lucky, you might get to see a Spitfire or other warbird flying. If you're feeling flush, there are sightseeing flights available (weather permitting) in historic aircraft such as the DH Dragon Rapide.
Its handy if you have good weather, but there's still plenty to see and do even if its a bit inclement. I hope you have a great day out.
Some things you might see:
You can have a trip in this...
Upstairs in the main display hall are lots of things that kids can get their hands on to explain how aeroplanes fly, with plenty of buttons to push and levers to yank. It doesn't really matter if he can't grasp the theory, most kids just like making the propellers turn and the levers move.
The hangers where the warbirds are maintained are interesting if you want to see how they are put together and you can see how much time an effort goes into keeping them flying.
There used to be a wartime "Prefab" house which you could look around and see how families lived during and just after the war. There is also a (very large) naval gun taken from the Gibraltar defences which is impressive close up and a V1 Doodlebug on its launch ramp.
The American Airforce Museum is pretty impressive with a B52 and SR71 Blackbird. Suspended from the ceiling are other aircraft including an A10 tank-buster which is at an angle so you can see the large gun pointing out of the nose.
The Land Warfare Hall (which is at the far end of the site beyond the airliners) lets you get close up to lots of impressive tanks/guns/armoured cars etc. There is also a walk though a mock-up D-Day landing craft which leads into an area where kids can have a go holding a .303 rifle and Thompson sub-machine gun as well as try on steel helmets and feel the weight of packs the troops had to carry onto the beaches (adults can have a go too!). It can get a bit crowded.
If your visit is timed right, there are a number of working armoured vehicles, operated and maintained by staff & volunteers that could be churning up the mud in the viewing area, which is through a glass door at the far end of the Land Warfare Hall.
If I remember correctly, in one of the hangers there is a midget submarine, which you used to be able to look around.
The airliners lined up on the concrete apron are usually open and often there is a guide inside who can point out the salient points. Its the only way you can get to see inside an airliner cockpit these days. Most of the airliners are maintained by volunteers and rely on donations, so pop some loose change in the collecting box if you do have a look around.
There really is enough to keep you occupied for a whole day and there is a cafe if you want some hot food, although you may want to take sandwiches as there is plenty of open space for a picnic and the weather is good. Most days there are light aircraft taking off and landing, and if you're very lucky, you might get to see a Spitfire or other warbird flying. If you're feeling flush, there are sightseeing flights available (weather permitting) in historic aircraft such as the DH Dragon Rapide.
Its handy if you have good weather, but there's still plenty to see and do even if its a bit inclement. I hope you have a great day out.
Some things you might see:
You can have a trip in this...
Edited for accuracy by Tootles the Taxi on Sunday 3rd October 21:24
Edited by Tootles the Taxi on Sunday 3rd October 21:29
They also have some intertsing but small artefacts:
A lump of steel, about 2ft square, solid steel. Taken from the Tripitz as part of the armour
A section of the Iraqi "supergun" from the late 80s..
Also, watch the film "battle of britian". A lot of it was filmed at Duxford- esprically the bit where the hanger blows up. It'll get you both in the mood, and its good fun to spot scnees from the film.
Keep an eye on the runway. Interetsing things often taking off/landing, but no prior warning.
A lump of steel, about 2ft square, solid steel. Taken from the Tripitz as part of the armour
A section of the Iraqi "supergun" from the late 80s..
Also, watch the film "battle of britian". A lot of it was filmed at Duxford- esprically the bit where the hanger blows up. It'll get you both in the mood, and its good fun to spot scnees from the film.
Keep an eye on the runway. Interetsing things often taking off/landing, but no prior warning.
Look in the restoration halls.
When you go to the land warfare hall once you've been round, exit through the doors you came in and turn left and follow the building, walk down to the end of the shed and you'll find the workshops where they're working on tanks.
Walk around the American section and keep an eye out for the SR-71 sled driver who's there a fair bit signing his books for people. Walk around the back of the buildings as you'll find lots of interesting things.
Look at the catalina closely, it's owned by a PHer.
When you go to the land warfare hall once you've been round, exit through the doors you came in and turn left and follow the building, walk down to the end of the shed and you'll find the workshops where they're working on tanks.
Walk around the American section and keep an eye out for the SR-71 sled driver who's there a fair bit signing his books for people. Walk around the back of the buildings as you'll find lots of interesting things.
Look at the catalina closely, it's owned by a PHer.
There's so much to see that if your main interest is aviatoin, I'd leave the Land Warfare part to last. It's equally good (for tanks) but if you spend too much time there you could miss something at the other end.
The American Museum is particulary good; note the glass panels outside which bring the enorous losses into scale.
If your feet start aching there's a little 'train' that goes up and down every so often. The restaurant is a bit over-priced so take your own grub - it will be cheaper and save time.
The American Museum is particulary good; note the glass panels outside which bring the enorous losses into scale.
If your feet start aching there's a little 'train' that goes up and down every so often. The restaurant is a bit over-priced so take your own grub - it will be cheaper and save time.
Silent1 said:
The real Apache said:
Silent1 said:
Look at the catalina closely, it's owned by a PHer.
Really? he's a f
king rude tt thenThe real Apache said:
Silent1 said:
The real Apache said:
Silent1 said:
Look at the catalina closely, it's owned by a PHer.
Really? he's a fking rude tt thenI agree it's impolite; however plenty of people I know don't answer 'minor' e-mails if they're very busy or don't need your stuff at that precise time. I wouldn't worry about it - his loss - save your services for someone who's interested 
Edited by Simpo Two on Monday 4th October 20:08
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