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Graham & Jane
Today I went to Duxford, part of the Imperial War Museum IWM), as mentioned before this was on the list of "I want to do" and also on Jane's list of "I don't want to do".
Duxford is only some 45mins from Bedford, and very easy to get to being right on the M11 motorway. This has been home to a RAF base from WWI and was home to the USAF during the latter part of WWII, it is now home to the IWM aircraft collection as well as a number of significant commercial aircraft. For a lover of aviation or a anyone interested in the history of aviation this is a must.
This was my 3rd visit to Duxford, the first being some 30yrs ago, the 2nd 20yrs ago and it has changed significantly since those first visits. The main hall contains a significant number of important aircraft including of course Concorde, the Concorde on show is 003, which was one of the original 5 units produced for testing. It still holds the record for the fastest crossing by a commercial airliner of the Atlantic, it was only surpassed by the SR71, however as the guide was very keen to point out the SR71 was measured when it crossed the coastlines of each country and it was already doing MACH3 at that point. Concorde was measured from take off to landing.
Other significant exhibits included the TSR2, which was abandoned in favour of the Phantom, many would argue the TSR2 was a better aircraft, and the forerunner of many swing wing aircraft which followed. Many Spitfires, Hurricanes etc.
The museum is also a working restoration base where many of the exhibits are restored to full flying order. I was fortunate to be there the day after a major flying event, and on display was the Sally B, one of the last Flying Fortresses to be airworthy was at the airfield.
One of the hangers contains the museum and memorial to the US 8th Air Force, which was HQ at Duxford during WWII, it is in this hanger where we see the SR71, U2, B52 and other major aircraft of the USAF, including an interesting depiction of the U2 of Garry Powers being shot down by a SAM missile over Russia.
Lastly and by no means any less important Duxford is also home to a significant number of armoured vehicles from the UK and other armies, which are housed in the last building on the site. This building also houses the museum of the Royal Anglican regiment, given a number of my ancestors have served in the regiments which are now combined into this regiment, I found this very interesting.
Duxford is only some 45mins from Bedford, and very easy to get to being right on the M11 motorway. This has been home to a RAF base from WWI and was home to the USAF during the latter part of WWII, it is now home to the IWM aircraft collection as well as a number of significant commercial aircraft. For a lover of aviation or a anyone interested in the history of aviation this is a must.
This was my 3rd visit to Duxford, the first being some 30yrs ago, the 2nd 20yrs ago and it has changed significantly since those first visits. The main hall contains a significant number of important aircraft including of course Concorde, the Concorde on show is 003, which was one of the original 5 units produced for testing. It still holds the record for the fastest crossing by a commercial airliner of the Atlantic, it was only surpassed by the SR71, however as the guide was very keen to point out the SR71 was measured when it crossed the coastlines of each country and it was already doing MACH3 at that point. Concorde was measured from take off to landing.
Other significant exhibits included the TSR2, which was abandoned in favour of the Phantom, many would argue the TSR2 was a better aircraft, and the forerunner of many swing wing aircraft which followed. Many Spitfires, Hurricanes etc.
The museum is also a working restoration base where many of the exhibits are restored to full flying order. I was fortunate to be there the day after a major flying event, and on display was the Sally B, one of the last Flying Fortresses to be airworthy was at the airfield.
One of the hangers contains the museum and memorial to the US 8th Air Force, which was HQ at Duxford during WWII, it is in this hanger where we see the SR71, U2, B52 and other major aircraft of the USAF, including an interesting depiction of the U2 of Garry Powers being shot down by a SAM missile over Russia.
Lastly and by no means any less important Duxford is also home to a significant number of armoured vehicles from the UK and other armies, which are housed in the last building on the site. This building also houses the museum of the Royal Anglican regiment, given a number of my ancestors have served in the regiments which are now combined into this regiment, I found this very interesting.
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