Airframes
Benevolens Magister
The Imperial War Museum, Duxford airfield, Cambridgeshire, UK.
I'll be posting around 130 photos in this thread, in stages, to give an idea of what can be seen at Duxford, and how the museums are laid out. The bulk of the photographs were taken on May 6 this year, with a few additions from previous visits.
Although it's not the intention here to provide a detailed history of the airfield, I believe some background information might be useful, in order that those viewers unfamiliar with this venue may fully understand the scale and importance of this fantastic museum.
Background.
Duxford is situated 8 miles south of the historic city of Cambridge, and opened in 1919. The airfield was the home to RAF squadrons equipped with various biplanes over the next two decades until, in July 1938, the first Spitfires in RAF service arrived to equip 19 Squadron, who also operated this type from the airfield during the Battle of Britain.
Many famous 'names' passed through or were based at the airfield, including Douglas Bader, who formed his controversial 'Big Wing' here.
The 8th USAAF arrived at Duxford in March 1943, with the 78th Fighter Group, equipped with the massive P47 Thunderbolt, which they operated until re-equipping with P51 Mustangs in January 1945.
After World War Two, the RAF returned, with a number of squadrons flying Meteors, Javelins and Hunters but, by 1961, activity decreased. It was not possible to extend or strengthen the runway for the new jets, such as the Lighting, which were coming into service, and the antique buildings themselves were falling into disrepair.
The airfield finally closed in July 1961, and lay dormant and forgotten until the summer of 1968, when the airfield was used as the main location for the movie 'The Battle of Britain'.
It was this event which lead to the revival of the airfield, with an enthusiast group forming a small museum, and some private owners basing their aircraft here, and it could be said that this was the beginning of the 'Warbird' fraternity, which has grown and blossomed ever since.
The enthusiast group, who had done so much to help preserve the airfield, were eventually replaced by the Imperial War Museum, who moved some of their collection from Lambeth, London, and developed the site, opening the present museum on a full-time basis.
Over the years, the exhibits have expanded, and the airfield is also home to such organisations as The Fighter Collection, and other private owners, who operate a growing number of historic aircraft from the site.
Duxford is not just a 'static' museum, but a thriving active airfield, hosting a number of airshows and events each year, including the dramatic 'Flying Legends' show each July, as well as offering Corporate hospitality services, including the use of the former Officer's Mess as a venue.
In addition to the aircraft on display in the various hangars, there are many buildings and outdoor displays open for inspection, including the BoB Operations Room and, of course, the American Museum in Europe, and the Land Warfare Hall.
Layout.
The entrance to the Museum is via a dedicated entrance gate, leading to the car park, Reception and shop located in what became known as the 'Superhangar', a purpose-built structure added in the early 1990s.
Beyond this, stretching over a distance of more than one kilometre, are four further large hangars, plus the impressive American Museum and the Land Warfare Hall. Additionally, there are a number of other outdoor static exhibits, including aircraft and other items.
The Pictures.
The first batch of images show the plan of the museum layout, a view looking down the field towards the 'Superhangar' and entrance, and some general overall views of the main exhibition area in the 'Superhangar'.
Note the gap in the hangars on the Museum's plan, which is where one of the 'Belfast truss' hangars was blown up for the BoB movie !
I'll post some more shots, in the order of the layout plan, on a regular basis, and I hope you enjoy them.
I'll be posting around 130 photos in this thread, in stages, to give an idea of what can be seen at Duxford, and how the museums are laid out. The bulk of the photographs were taken on May 6 this year, with a few additions from previous visits.
Although it's not the intention here to provide a detailed history of the airfield, I believe some background information might be useful, in order that those viewers unfamiliar with this venue may fully understand the scale and importance of this fantastic museum.
Background.
Duxford is situated 8 miles south of the historic city of Cambridge, and opened in 1919. The airfield was the home to RAF squadrons equipped with various biplanes over the next two decades until, in July 1938, the first Spitfires in RAF service arrived to equip 19 Squadron, who also operated this type from the airfield during the Battle of Britain.
Many famous 'names' passed through or were based at the airfield, including Douglas Bader, who formed his controversial 'Big Wing' here.
The 8th USAAF arrived at Duxford in March 1943, with the 78th Fighter Group, equipped with the massive P47 Thunderbolt, which they operated until re-equipping with P51 Mustangs in January 1945.
After World War Two, the RAF returned, with a number of squadrons flying Meteors, Javelins and Hunters but, by 1961, activity decreased. It was not possible to extend or strengthen the runway for the new jets, such as the Lighting, which were coming into service, and the antique buildings themselves were falling into disrepair.
The airfield finally closed in July 1961, and lay dormant and forgotten until the summer of 1968, when the airfield was used as the main location for the movie 'The Battle of Britain'.
It was this event which lead to the revival of the airfield, with an enthusiast group forming a small museum, and some private owners basing their aircraft here, and it could be said that this was the beginning of the 'Warbird' fraternity, which has grown and blossomed ever since.
The enthusiast group, who had done so much to help preserve the airfield, were eventually replaced by the Imperial War Museum, who moved some of their collection from Lambeth, London, and developed the site, opening the present museum on a full-time basis.
Over the years, the exhibits have expanded, and the airfield is also home to such organisations as The Fighter Collection, and other private owners, who operate a growing number of historic aircraft from the site.
Duxford is not just a 'static' museum, but a thriving active airfield, hosting a number of airshows and events each year, including the dramatic 'Flying Legends' show each July, as well as offering Corporate hospitality services, including the use of the former Officer's Mess as a venue.
In addition to the aircraft on display in the various hangars, there are many buildings and outdoor displays open for inspection, including the BoB Operations Room and, of course, the American Museum in Europe, and the Land Warfare Hall.
Layout.
The entrance to the Museum is via a dedicated entrance gate, leading to the car park, Reception and shop located in what became known as the 'Superhangar', a purpose-built structure added in the early 1990s.
Beyond this, stretching over a distance of more than one kilometre, are four further large hangars, plus the impressive American Museum and the Land Warfare Hall. Additionally, there are a number of other outdoor static exhibits, including aircraft and other items.
The Pictures.
The first batch of images show the plan of the museum layout, a view looking down the field towards the 'Superhangar' and entrance, and some general overall views of the main exhibition area in the 'Superhangar'.
Note the gap in the hangars on the Museum's plan, which is where one of the 'Belfast truss' hangars was blown up for the BoB movie !
I'll post some more shots, in the order of the layout plan, on a regular basis, and I hope you enjoy them.
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