UK Museums: IWM Duxford, Cambridgeshire
IWM Duxford, Cambridgeshire
The IWM Duxford, close to Cambridge in the south east of England, is part of the Imperial War Museum (IWM) and is Europe's largest air museum.
The American Air Museum is part of IWM Duxford and displays American aircraft from the World War II B-17 to a contemporary remotely piloted Predator.
History
The site of the museum is the Duxford Aerodrome, which has been in operation since World War I.
After the end of World War I it was used by the Royal Air Force as a training school before becoming an RAF fighter station in 1923. It played a key role in the Battle of Britain during World War II.
In 1943 Duxford was assigned to the American Air Force and became known as Station 357 (DX).
Post-war the airfield was returned to the RAF and was in active service until 1961.
The site including the hangars and runways were transferred to the IWM in 1976. It remains an active civil airfield.
The American Air Museum opened in 1997.
Exhibits
The vast collection includes around 200 aircraft as well as military vehicles including tanks, missiles, small naval vessels as well as books, documents, film, photographs, and uniforms.
The museum is arranged round various themes and stories - the latter relate the history of the men and women involved in the armed services. It also includes several British Army regimental museums, including the Royal Anglian Regiment and the Parachute Regiment (Airborne Assault), transferred from Aldershot.
Some of the hangars at Duxford date back to the Battle of Britain and are of historic importance. On site are five hangars containing exhibits in addition to the American Air Museum, designed by Norman Foster. In addition, the Land Warfare Hall houses a collection of artillery, armoured and other military vehicles.
The Imperial War Museum is made up of five museums. These are the IWM London, the Churchill War Rooms in Whitehall, IWM Duxford, HMS Belfast on the River Thames and IWM North in Manchester.
Duxford is also the venue for air shows throughout the year with performances by the Red Arrows and other airplanes both vintage and modern. The Battle of Britain Air Show is one of the most popular with a capacity for 25,000 spectators.
Access - Getting There
IWM Duxford
Duxford
Cambridgeshire, CB22 4QR
Tel: 0207 416 5000
www: iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-duxford
Hours
Wednesday to Sunday 10 am to 6 pm; From Sunday 31 October: 4 pm close, last entry 3 pm
Admission is currently 22.70 GBP for adults and 12.50 GBP for children aged 5-15.
Public Transport
The nearest train stations are Whittlesford Parkway, Royston and Cambridge. There are taxis from Royston and Cambridge or take the 7A bus from Whittlesford Parkway (Monday to Saturday). On Sunday there is a Myalls 132 bus from Cambridge Station direct to IWM Duxford.
IWM Duxford is south of Cambridge from Junction 10 of the M11 motorway.
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