Headed there today. It might've been an idea if I'd checked their website first, as the American Hangar is closed for refurb
until spring 2016! But don't know when I'll get another chance, and entry was a fiver less than usual. Now, it's not a particularly cheap day out; usual adult entry is £22.50 (£17.50 today), the on-site catering is a rip-off and poor quality with little choice, so I'd recommend having a bite elsewhere before your visit if you go. But having said that, I still think it's well worth it, especially on an air show day. The Flying Legends show in particular is an event not to be missed! Another reason I think it's worth it is because there's not another place quite like it in Britain, maybe the whole of Europe. If Warbirds are your thing, Duxford is the modern home for them. From static displays, to restoration work, to full flying originals, you could easily while away a whole day here, especially when the American hangar and military vehicle shows are up and running.
Thought some might enjoy a bit of a taster:
Avro Lancaster and DeHavilland Mosquito:
English Electric Lightning (the last of the fast - someone told me most of them are now living at the bottom of the North Sea
):
Grumman Bearcat in full flying fettle:
Another flyer, Gloster Gladiator:
There were two P-51D Mustangs there today:
I say today, cos you never quite know what might be visiting from time to time. Flying Legends tends to have anywhere between 5 and 10 attending, all flying in the show.
One of a number of restoration projects, Hawker Sea Fury:
And a Bristol Beaufighter; all I know about this one is that it was built under license by the Aussies:
The world famous Sally B:
aka Memphis Belle:
A rare beasty, Me109. Best shot I could get, don't know if this one's a flyer, not many around:
Much in demand are flights in this two-seater Spitfire:
This is what I love about Duxford. It's almost like you've been taken back to 1940. Clipped wings on Spitfires was to increase the roll rate, making them more manoeuvrable for tight dog-fights:
My favourite, serial no. MH434, a Mk IXB:
Not just WWII stuff at Duxford either; a Buccaneer:
Very rare. Cockpit from a Mitsubishi Zero fighter:
In the Battle of Britain hangar:
Cold War enemy, MiG 21:
Hiding away, an on-going Heinkel 111 restoration:
Bloodhound SAM. I remember there being line upon line of these when I was based at RAF Wyton:
This really is just a small sample of what they have there. Flying today was a Catalina and the two-seat Spitfire, and I've been there before when Spitfires have been on air test, 'beating up' the airfield at low level. The American Museum (when open) is almost worth a visit in it's own right. Marvellous place!
