Memories of 80th VE Day Celebrations

Duxford Aerodrome: A Living Tribute to Aviation History

Duxford - a Museum with a difference

I thought I would just write a small blog following the fantastic day that we had when we visited this lovely site in early June.

Tucked away in the Cambridgeshire countryside, just a short drive from Cambridge city, sits Duxford Aerodrome — a site that’s far more than just a patch of tarmac with a few aircraft. Duxford is a place where the roar of engines, the gleam of polished metal, and the stories of brave aviators all come together to bring the history of flight vividly to life. Whether you’re a die-hard aviation buff or simply curious about wartime history, a visit to Duxford is guaranteed to leave a lasting impression.

History: From Biplanes to Jet Engines

Duxford Aerodrome began life in 1918, at the tail end of the First World War. Initially established as a training airfield for the Royal Flying Corps (which later became the RAF), it quickly became a permanent RAF station. During the interwar years, Duxford grew into a key centre for aviation development and fighter command.

By the time the Second World War rolled around, Duxford was fully equipped and ready to serve — and it did so with distinction. After the war, it remained active during the early Cold War years before eventually closing as an RAF station in 1961. But that wasn’t the end of its story. Today, Duxford is one of the UK’s premier aviation museums, part of the Imperial War Museums (IWM) group, and it’s home to one of the most impressive collections of aircraft in Europe.

Its Role in WWII: Defending the Skies

Duxford’s most famous chapter was undoubtedly during the Second World War. As one of the RAF’s key fighter stations, it played a critical role in the Battle of Britain. Spitfires and Hurricanes launched from its runways to intercept German bombers and fighters during some of the war’s most decisive aerial battles.

Duxford was home to No. 19 Squadron, the first RAF squadron to operate the iconic Supermarine Spitfire. The airfield also hosted USAAF units from 1943 onwards, including the 78th Fighter Group, flying P-47 Thunderbolts and later P-51 Mustangs. The mix of British and American forces gave the base a unique dynamic and contributed to the Allied war effort across Europe.

Even today, when you walk across the airfield or stand beside one of the historic hangars, there’s a tangible sense of what it must have been like when the skies above Cambridgeshire were alive with the sounds of war.

What’s in the Different Hangars?

Duxford is not just one big hangar — it’s a sprawling site with multiple exhibition spaces, each offering a deep dive into a different aspect of aviation and military history. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll find:

AirSpace Hangar

Home to some of the most significant British aircraft ever built, including the Concorde, Lancaster bomber, Spitfire, Vulcan, and Canberra. It explores the development of British aviation and tells the story of the people who designed, built, and flew these machines.

American Air Museum

This stunning glass-fronted building houses an incredible collection of US military aircraft, from a B-52 Stratofortress to the A-10 Thunderbolt. It’s a powerful tribute to the collaboration between the UK and the US in 20th-century conflicts.

Hangar 4: Battle of Britain Exhibition

Focusing on the dramatic events of 1940, this hangar offers immersive displays about the pilots, ground crews, and support teams who kept Britain in the fight. It’s also home to Spitfires, Hurricanes, and the fearsome Messerschmitt Bf 109.

Hangars 2 & 3: Flying Aircraft and Conservation in Action

These are working hangars where you can watch skilled engineers restore and maintain airworthy historic aircraft. If you’re lucky, you might even see a Spitfire being prepped for a flight!

Land Warfare Hall

For a change of pace, head into this vast space full of tanks, artillery, and military vehicles, including a D-Day landing craft and scenes from the Normandy campaign. It’s dramatic and detailed — and especially popular with younger visitors.

5 Not-to-be-Missed Things to See

• ✈ The Concorde Prototype (G-BSST) – Step inside this iconic supersonic airliner and see what luxury flight looked like in the 1970s.

• 🛩 A Spitfire in Flight – If you time your visit right, you may catch one of Duxford’s resident Spitfires roaring into the sky. There’s nothing like the sound of that Rolls-Royce Merlin engine!

• 🏛 American Air Museum’s B-17 Flying Fortress – Towering over visitors, this aircraft is a powerful symbol of the USAAF’s presence in the UK during WWII.

• 🚁 The Land Warfare Hall’s D-Day Dioramas – Immersive and cinematic, these scenes put you right in the action on the beaches of Normandy.

• 🔧 Watch Aircraft Being Repaired in the Conservation Hangar – See history in motion as teams work to preserve aviation heritage before your eyes.

Its Work Today: More Than Just a Museum

While Duxford is steeped in history, it’s also very much alive today. The aerodrome continues to operate as an active airfield, and it’s a hub for air shows, historical re-enactments, and educational events. The Duxford Air Shows are legendary, drawing thousands to see classic warbirds, stunt planes, and modern jets perform incredible aerial feats.

Duxford also plays a vital role in education and preservation. Its workshops and restoration teams are among the best in the world, keeping heritage aircraft flying and training new generations of engineers and historians.

Through school programs, veterans’ interviews, and digital exhibits, Duxford helps ensure that the sacrifices, innovations, and stories of the past continue to inform and inspire the future.

Whether you’re walking under the belly of a Lancaster, standing beside a Mustang, or simply staring at the horizon from the edge of the runway, Duxford Aerodrome offers something few places can: the chance to connect with history not just through words or pictures — but through the sound, smell, and soul of flight itself.

Grab your tickets, pack your camera, and prepare to be amazed.

On a final note - in friendship from me to you. I wish you all the very best and hope you have enjoyed reading my latest musings!