In honour of the American legacy, American Flying Days are held every year, and 2024 was no exception. The focus of this article is on that, but watch out for other articles about the rest of the museum that we will soon publish!
About the museum
For those who think aircraft should be flying and not just standing on the ground, a visit to IWM Duxford is a must. The museum comprises several hangars and service buildings, but unlike several of its siblings, also a fully operational airfield! The flying activities at this site predate WW I by a few years, and during WW II RAF Duxford — as it was called at the time — played a major role in the Battle of Britain where it served as a base for several squadrons of Hurricanes and Spitfires in the initial part of the war.
On 1st April 1943, the airfield was assigned to the United States Army Air Forces and hosted several Fighter Groups operating P-39s, P-47s and P-51s. The USAAF stayed until the end of the war. The RAF returned and operated the airbase until the late 1970s when it was handed over to IWM and the Cambridgeshire County Council.
What to see
The actual programme may vary from year to year, but mark your calendar now for 25th July 2025! Tickets will be released here.
The 2024 event included a series of spectacular flying displays as well as a rather impressive ground set-up with staff in original WW II uniforms, service trucks, catering, supplies, well, anything one could possibly think of to complete a 1940s time bubble. In the air were, amongst others, the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, Grumman F6F Hellcat and F8F Bearcat, North American AT-6 Texan and P-51 Mustang, Boing B-17 and a few British aircraft also flown by US and Polish pilots. One very special feature was the fly-by of a rare Bell Boing V-22 Osprey (yes, the VTOL one!) in formation with a Lockheed C-130 Hercules, taking off from a base nearby. Most of these can also be seen in the America Air section of the museum and are, as goes for many of the other planes in the collection, kept in flying condition.
How much time to spend
The museum is very popular with enthusiasts (and do not forget it is also a live airfield) but due to the size of the grounds and the many dispersed hangars, it hardly ever feels overcrowded. For the Flying Days, arrive early nevertheless and expect some queuing at the entrance. Once inside, there is plenty to explore while you wait for the airshow to start!
How to get there
The easiest way to get there is by car — the airfield is just next to exit 10 on the M11. If you travel by rail, Cambridge, Royston and Whittlesford Parkway stations are all useable and you can take either local buses or taxis from there. Bear in mind that King’s Cross, St. Pancras and Liverpool Street all offer stopping services to Cambridge, but they run along different routes which determine your final destination.
If you are travelling from central London and don’t mind a brisk walk (weather permitting), Whittlesford Parkway is closest. Take the train from Liverpool Street, alight at Whittlesford Parkway and follow Royston Road onto the walkway next to the 505 (it shows as a fine green line on Google Maps). There is a safe pedestrian crossing slightly offset from the roundabout over the M11.
Address
A505, Duxford
Cambridge CB22 4QR
