Duxford Air Museum: A Photo Visit
HANGAR 3
This hangar apparently contains examples of aircraft used at sea either for maritime reconnaissance or aboard aircraft carriers. We’re not entirely sure if this is 100% the case since there’s another Spitfire in the mix (a Mk IX), a couple of P-51 Mustangs and a German training biplane from World War II. What seems to be the case is that this Hangar is currently being used as an overspill area for some of the flying exhibits. This may be due to the renovations elsewhere and the preparations for the 60th anniversary of D-Day.
Here is a gorgeous-looking P-51 Mustang. Photo by AJS.
And here’s another one. Like Spitfires, they don’t seem short of Mustangs in this museum. Photo by Roach.
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This is an American Harvard, essentially a training plane. There’s Roach off to the right taking another picture. Photo by AJS.
Here is a North American B25 Mitchell named “Grumpyâ€. Photo by AJS.
Now we enter the “Chunky American Fighter†part of the museum. These machines seem incredibly huge and powerful for single-seater fighter planes. Like this Chance Vought F4U (FG10) Corsair. Photo by AJS.
And this, a Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat. Photo by AJS.
Here is a general shot of the planes in the second half of this hangar. Photo by AJS.
Here’s another Spitfire, this time it’s a Mk IX – note the four-bladed propeller. Photo by AJS.
Here’s another Mk IX (we think) Spitfire with unusual roundel colours. We spent ages trying to work out which air force this plane must have served with, before coming to the conclusion that it must have been Ireland. Photo by AJS.
HANGAR 4
This hangar apparently contains a history of Duxford and the people who served there, unfortunately we can only assume that this hangar was actually closed at the time we went as, despite a thorough sweep through the museum grounds, and once again back to the car, we completely missed the signs pointing towards any entrance! This is something of a disappointment as this hangar contains a Battle of Britain display, which includes a static display of a German Messerschmitt BF109.
HANGAR 5
This is the Conservation Hall where the strong smell of solvents and paint fills the air but which is worth a visit just so you can ask yourself how on earth the people who took those engines apart are ever going to remember how to put them back together again.
Here is a picture of a Harrier GR3 “Jump-Jet†which appears to be mostly intact. It’s not clear if this exhibit is being restored as a static or flying machine. Photo by AJS.
The caption on the information board for this said it was a Swordfish. We’ll take their word for it since only the basic frame is intact. Photo by AJS.
This is the fuselage of a Japanese “Zeroâ€. The wings were off to one side. As you can see, there is extensive damage and an awful lot of work is required to get this plane restored – but it’s there, waiting for its day in the limelight. Don’t hold your breath though, it will take years – the Museum don’t call it a long-term restoration project for nothing! Photo by AJS.
