Imperial War Museum Duxford – One of the World’s Finest Air Museums

During my travels in the UK in June 2012 I took a day trip from London to Cambridge, then caught a shuttle bus from the train station direct to the Imperial War Museum Duxford (the whole process could not have been easier). This is a massive museum with one of the worlds finest aviation collections from World War One to the modern-day (fighters, bombers, trainers, transports, helicopters and more). Duxford is an incredible place for an aviation buff and one that needs to absolutely be on your “aviation bucket list”!

Comet Tank Hawker Hurricane Gate Guardians IWM Duxford — Comet Tank & Hawker Hurricane – Duxford gate guardians

The collection is dispersed across a massive area on this old military airbase (operational from 1918-1968), with the majority located in large hangars. The key aviation displays are AirSpace (the story of British and Commonwealth aviation), Flying Aircraft (fully restored and privately owned aircraft that fly regularly at air shows and display days), Air and Sea (aircraft, boats and submarines), Battle of Britain (the story of Britain’s air defence from World War One to the Cold War), Conservation in Action (aircraft restoration hangar) and the American Air Museum (the story of American air power).

AirSpace

Avro Lancaster IWM Duxford — Avro Lancaster

De Havilland Mosquito IWM Duxford UK — De Havilland Mosquito

Concorde Prototype IWM Duxford — Concorde prototype

Panavia Tornado GR.1 IWM Duxford — Panavia Tornado GR.1

Eurofighter Typhoon B IWM Duxford — Eurofighter Typhoon B

Flying Aircraft

Gloster Gladiator IWM Duxford — Gloster Gladiator

Grumman F6F Hellcat IWM Duxford UK — Grumman F6F Hellcat

Vought F4U Corsair IWM Duxford — Vought F4U Corsair

Republic P-47 Thunderbolt IWM Duxford — Republic P-47 Thunderbolt

Air and Sea

Fairey Gannet & Hawker Siddeley Buccaneer Mk.2B IWM London Air & Sea — Fairey Gannet & Hawker Siddeley Buccaneer Mk.2B

de Havilland Sea Vixen IWM Duxford Cambridgeshire — De Havilland Sea Vixen

Battle of Britain

Bristol F2B IWM Duxford — Bristol F2B – World War One

Supermarine Spitfire IWM Duxford Battle of Britain — Supermarine Spitfire

McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II RAF IWM Duxford — McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II – RAF Cold War fighter

Conservation in Action

BAE Harrier GR.9 IWM Duxford — BAE Harrier GR.9 (recently retired from RAF service)

American Air Museum

Consolidated B-24 Liberator IWM Duxford UK — Consolidated B-24 Liberator

P-51D Mustang IWM Duxford UK — North American P-51D Mustang

Douglas C-47 Dakota American Air Museum Duxford — Douglas C-47 Dakota

Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird IWM Duxford American Air Museum — Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird

General Dynamics F-111B American Air Museum IWM Duxford — General Dynamics F-111B

In addition to the aviation collection, Duxford has an impressive Land Warfare section where they have many military vehicles, weapons and artifacts on display. They also have operational tanks that are driven around their special “Tank Arena” throughout the year (unfortunately not on the day of my visit).

German Panzer IV IWM Duxford — German Panzer IV

Soviet T-34/85 IWM Duxford — Soviet T-34/85

British Conqueror Mk.2 IWM Duxford — British Conqueror Mk.2 in the tank arena

Around the airfield are static aircraft displays and the airfield itself is still active which provides not only the opportunity for annual air shows but also the chance to see warbirds flying around during your visit. You can also take joy flights if you have the money and the time!