Aircraft and Aviation Museums - UK

Imperial War Museum - Duxford, Cambridge

Location - off Junction 10 of the M11 motorway. An excellent collection of flying examples and museum aircraft from WW2 belonging to or on loan to the Imperial War Musem, the Duxford Aviation Society and private owners. Duxford is a preserved Battle of Britain fighter station, with original hangers dating from WW1.

In addition to over 140 aircraft, there is the purpose built hall to commemerate the aircrews of the WW2 US 8th Air Force and a separate exhibition of land warfare vehicles.

[Corsair]

One of the earliest aircraft on display is an Avro 504 which served in the Royal Flying Corp in WW1 and continued as trainer with the RAF through the 1920s.

[Avro 504]

There is extensive aircraft restoration activity which can be viewed by the public including rebuilding a Bristol Beaufighter to flying condition (from what appears to be a mangled collection of parts). First flight due shortly.

[Beaufighter rebuild]

A De Havilland Mosquito, known as the 'Wooden Wonder' because of its wooden construction, is on display. Originally developed as an unarmed high speed bomber in WW2, because of its speed it was used fighter, photo reconaissance, even as high speed transport between Britain and Sweden. The Mosquito was used as Pathfinder for the night bomber raids marking the target with flares for the streams of Lancaster bombers to concentrate their attack. It also gained fame as low level precision bomber. A very versatile and successful aircraft.

[De Havilland Mosquito]

A major attraction at Duxford is the striking building housing the American Museum to commerate the wartime 8th US Army Air Force which was based in East Anglia.

[B17]

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