Visit to Duxford.

[30Three]

I was in the UK last week; primarily for my mum's Funeral. But the day after my brother and I escaped for the day and went to Duxford.
It's only about 45 minutes up the road from Braintree; so we arrived at opening time. Last time I was there was 1998, so there's been a few improvements.
We headed straight off to the furthest shed from the entrance; to slowly work our way back to the café.
The Land War display is excellent; although could do with a few more WW1 pieces in my opinion.
But it's the aircraft that we really came to see; and this has to be one of the best collections in the world. The American hangar is full to the brim; with a B52 as the centre piece.

The restoration hangars currently have a Victor bomber being worked on.

Plenty of Spitfires and Hurricanes etc. The Vulcan and Lancatser are in the same hangar as the Airborne Museum. That was our last part of the visit.
A great tribute to the Airborne forces.
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[CoatiMundi]

Sorry about your Mother, its hard having parents pass away.

I’ve always wanted to go there but I’ve only been in the UK long enough to change planes at Heathrow.
Many of my friends and family members have been there for the flying displays.

If you are looking for WW1 artifacts, the Austrian Military Museum (Heeresgeschtliches Museum)in Vienna has an astounding collection of arms from the 1400’s ish to more modern times. Their WW1 exhibit includes a 38cm siege howitzer and many other amazing displays including the car that Duke Ferdinand and his wife were assassinated in. Very much worth seeing.

[browningautorifle]

Condolences, good to see you.

[Singer B]

The Spitfire has always been, IMHO, the most beautiful aircraft produced, with the P-51 a very close second. Condolences on your loss.

[Ovidio]

Condolences also from me. Great bird that one!
But nothing beats the Macchi 205 Veltro, the Reggiane 2005 Sagittario and the Fiat 55 Centauro.
The most beautiful warbirds in history!

[CoatiMundi]

What about the Macchi C.202? I’ve seen the one at the Smithsonian. My favorites are the F7F Tigercat and F8F Bearcat, but the Seafury and the Mk XIV Spitfire are awesome too!

[Ovidio]

The Macchi c.202 is aesthetically practically the same as the 205.
The 205 was more heavily armed and had a more powerful engine.
Beautiful machines!!!

[Flying10uk]

Possibly one of the best places to see early aircraft, all in one place, in the UK, is the Shuttleworth Collection and is well worth a visit.

https://www.shuttleworth.org/explore/the-collection/

[Gil Boyd]

30Three,

As a Trustee of the Airborne Assault Museum pleased you enjoyed your visit. I will pass your comments back to the Curator who has the weekly task of keeping and changing the exhibits as vibrant and relevant to battle dates throughout the year using the reserve collection carefully.
Sadly as its tucked away in the corner of the AirSpace hangar a lot of people don't even see the entrance, as they are totally taken in by the Lancaster right outside our door and the Concorde next to her.

[30Three]

It was one of the reason's for the visit Gil. We saved it for the last part of the day. Yes the Lancaster and the Vulcan are a worthy distraction!
The weapons display as you walk into the Airborne museum is impressive. Also the fold up bicycles are interesting.
I was pleased that it was included in the general admission for the Air museum.
I did notice one minor error on the descriptions of the small arms. The SMLE listed as a No3 as opposed MkIII.