Introduction to IWM Duxford

Based at the historic Duxford Aerodrome, the IWM Duxford site was originally operated by the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the First World War. During the Second World War Duxford played a prominent role during the Battle of Britain and was later used by United States Army Air Forces fighter units in support of the daylight bombing of Germany. Duxford remained an active RAF airfield until 1961.

After the Ministry of Defence declared the site surplus to requirements in 1969, the Imperial War Museum received permission to use part of the site for storage. The entirety of the site was transferred to the Imperial War Museum in 1976.

In keeping with the site's history many of Duxford's original buildings, such as hangars used during the Battle of Britain, are still in use as exhibition halls for aircraft. The site also features several purpose-built exhibition buildings, such as the American Air Museum.  

Over the years we have lived in Duxford, there have been many air shows with all sorts of aircraft flying over the house; before the Shoreham air disaster, it was possible to view the air shows directly from a nearby road that passes over the M11.Read more