Recently, BAE Systems Harrier GR9 ZD461 was transported from RAF Cottesmore to IWM Duxford, where it will undergo conservation work and a rebuild.

The acquisition of a second-generation Harrier with Afghanistan theatre history is hugely important to Imperial War Museums and enables us to communicate and interpret significant aspects of contemporary conflict. No other aircraft in the current IWM collection has Afghanistan service history so Harrier ZD461 presents an important addition to the IWM collection which develops our interpretation of modern warfare.

Harrier GR9 ZD461 was originally built as a GR5 model and was upgraded to a GR7 in 1992. In 1999, the aircraft served with No.4 Army Co-operation (AC) Squadron and moved with the squadron from Germany to RAF Cottesmore in Rutland, Great Britain.

During February and March 2003, the aircraft was deployed with No.4 AC Squadron to Operation Telic in Iraq. In August 2004, No.4 AC Squadron was deployed to Operation Herrick, at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, followed by deployment to HMS Invincible in 2005. By May 2006, No.4 AC Squadron was once again serving in Afghanistan. This was followed by a tour of duty at Luqa, Malta before returning to RAF Cottesmore in August 2007. From there the aircraft was transferred to RAF Lossiemouth in September 2007 before being upgraded to a GR9 under the Joint Maintenance and Upgrade programme in 2008.

In January 2010, Harrier ZD461 was grounded at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, having suffered CAT.3 damage from brake fire during exercise Red Flag 2010-2. In March 2010, it was returned to RAF Cottesmore for repairs, where it remained following the withdrawal of the Harrier fleet from RAF service in December 2010.

IWM London is about to undertake a large-scale redevelopment, creating brand new First World War galleries as part of our plans to mark the First World War Centenary in 2014 as well as a transformed central atrium space. It is hoped that the Harrier GR9 will be able to be included in the reconfigured atrium, which will re-interpret and redisplay our iconic large objects, but we are still in the process of finalising our exhibits for this space.

www.iwm.org.uk

IWM Duxford’s newly-conserved de Havilland Vampire WZ590 was presented to the media this Tuesday 13 March. Also part of a large gathered audience were members of Friends of Duxford and Duxford Aviation Society.

Steve Woolford, Head of Interpretation and Collections, made a welcoming speech, thanking IWM Duxford staff and volunteers for their dedication and commitment to the conservation of the aircraft, which has taken four years to complete.

Conservation team staff and volunteers were in attendance for photographs, including Dr Rohan Nelson, who travelled all the way from Canberra in Australia to assist with the conservation of the Vampire and who was in attendance at the aircraft presentation.

The aircraft was then rolled out of the Conservation Hall in AirSpace and onto the airfield jet pan for further photographs.

The Vampire will be transferred to the Battle of Britain exhibition this week, where it will go on permanent display to the public.

Chris Knapp, Conservation Manager, said “This is another successful project completed to our high conservation standards. It demonstrates the dedication of our staff and volunteers and helps us to uphold our reputation for excellence. We are particularly proud of the Vampire as it has involved more detailed conservation than we are usually able to undertake. Many components within the aircraft are still in the original paint and condition that they were during the aircraft’s time in service.”

Basil Gowring, who flew Vampires during the 1950s, recently reminisced on his experiences, “I flew a lot from Duxford, having joined 65 Squadron in December 1953, flying Meteors from there until mid 1956. I was posted away, to 233 Operational Conversion Unit at Pembrey, as a staff instructor and it was there where I flew most of my Vampire time – mostly in the single-seat Marks 5 and 9, and also the two-seat trainer version, the T11 – initially without ejector seats but later with the ejector seat equipped version. I did keep flying the T11s on subsequent tours, usually on gunnery instruction or occasionally when conducting instrument rating tests on other pilots. I returned to No 65 Squadron at Duxford for a further tour of flying, this time in the Hunter Mark 6 version. My subsequent fighter tours were all on various versions of the Hunter.

Returning to the Vampire, I always found her to be a pleasure to fly, both in the twin- and single-seat versions. When taxying on the ground, one sat much closer to the tarmac than in , for example, the Meteor or Hunter and , when landing, one had to “get right in” to the observed runway to avoid an over-high round out. Considering the limited power of the single-engined Vampire, compared with the twin -engined Meteor or more potent Hunter, the “Vamp” nonetheless leapt off the ground with fair alacrity and showed a reasonable rate of climb. We used to do formation training at 30,000 feet and above and, provided you kept the engine power up, the Vampire proved pleasant to fly. It had a good rate of turn, at high and lower levels, provided one kept plenty of power on. When doing simulated combat training some good hassles with the simulated enemy could be had – provided again that you retained plenty of power on. Needless to say, continued use of higher power settings had an effect on the fuel state, particularly at the lower levels, so sometimes training sorties were relatively brief!

The Vampire was a good gunnery platform, when firing at a towed banner target over a firing range. The aircraft’s general agility allowed you to safely get into the optimum range from the target to get good results. For air to ground firing, similarly the aircraft could be flown into an optimum firing position before the need to pull out, to clear the ground and avoid loose shrapnel from one’s own firing!

Although my experience on the Vampire was much less than on my “main” aircraft – the Meteor, Hunter, and Vulcan bomber, I still look back to those pleasurable days flying the mighty Vampire.”

www.iwm.org.uk

Former SR-71 Blackbird pilot Colonel Richard Graham (USAF Retired) will be making a welcome return to IWM Duxford on Sunday 11 March 2012.

Always a very popular speaker at IWM Duxford, Colonel Graham will be giving an overview of the SR-71 Blackbird programme at 11am in the Marshall Auditorium in AirSpace.

This talk will be followed by an extended question and answer session, where Colonel Graham will chat with his audience.

At 2pm, Colonel Graham will be hosting walk-around tours of the SR-71 Blackbird that he previously flew at RAF Mildenhall, which now sits in pride of place on display in the American Air Museum.

Following the tour, there will be an opportunity for book signings and to ask more questions.

The SR-71 Blackbird is regarded as one of the United States Air Force’s most important Cold War-era aircraft. It was classified as top secret for most of its operational life, flying covert missions from RAF Mildenhall from the mid-1970s onwards. The aircraft played an important role in military conflicts for nearly thirty years, being superceded only when spy satellites came into operation.

Colonel Richard Graham’s involvement with the Blackbird continued until his retirement from the United States Air Force in 1989 as a highly-decorated pilot with more than 4,000 hours of military flying experience.

Colonel Graham’s talks are always incredibly popular. Both events on Sunday 11 March are included in standard admission to the museum and, as usual, children aged 15 and under go free.

The Marshall Auditorium has a maximum capacity of 200. Entry to Colonel Graham’s talk is on a first-come, first-served basis.

The walk-around tour can also be joined on a first-come, first-served basis.

Join us to hear about the thrill and excitement of flying the SR-71 Blackbird as Colonel Richard Graham enthralls his audience with tales about this iconic and enigmatic aircraft.

www.iwm.org.uk

We are delighted to announce that tickets for the 2012 IWM Duxford air shows are now on sale.Following another exciting air show season in 2011, we now look ahead to a fabulous year of unforgettable flying displays.

We’ve got a fantastic value Early Bird offer running until the end of February 2012 and we’ve also got a very special ticket offer in honour of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

The Jubilee Air Show
Sunday 27May

Celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in style, The Jubilee Air Show brings together historic and contemporary aircraft fromthe past 60 years and beyond. Enjoy a fantastic display fit for royalty.

Jubilee Air Show Ticket Offer

To mark 60 years of the Queen’s reign, we are offering Senior visitors (aged 60 plus) a free ticket for the Jubilee Air Show when a full price adult or senior ticket is purchased. This offer is on advance ticket purchases only; it cannot be used on the day of the event. 

Flying Legends

Saturday 30 June and Sunday 1 July

Flying Legends – two words which instantly evoke the very best of classic aircraft displaying at IWM Duxford in one of the world’s most celebrated air shows. The Fighter Collection and IWM Duxford are proud to present Flying Legends 2012 – another unmissable fusion of power, sounds and nostalgia.

Please note that the Early Bird offer does not apply to Flying Legends (Saturday 30 June and
Sunday 1 July)

The Fighter Collection and IWM Duxford are delighted to offer a range of hospitality offers for this year’s unmissable Flying Legends event. Full details of the packages will be revealed in the Flying Legends press release issued shortly. 

The Duxford Air Show
Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 September

The Duxford Air Show is the highlight of IWMDuxford’s calendar of flying events. In an outstanding aerial spectacle, the very best historic andmodern aircraft display in the skies over this famous airfield. Featuring civilian andmilitary aircraft, The Duxford Air Show always presents a fantastically varied programme with some distinctive and popular flying performances.

Autumn Air Show
Sunday 14 October

Closing the air show season for 2012, the Autumn Air Show presents a thrilling aerodynamic show with a relaxed, end-of-season atmosphere. Featuring aircraft past and present, the Autumn Air Show offers a fine selection of aerial demonstrations with something for all aviation interests.

Early Bird Offer

We’re offering a fabulous early bird discount of 15%on IWM Duxford 2012 air show tickets. The Early Bird offer is available untilWednesday 29 February 2012. After this date, the normal advance purchase discount of 10% applies.

Tickets can be purchased online at iwm.org.uk or by calling the Box Office on 01223 499353. The Box Office is open Monday to Friday from9.30amto 4.30pm. There is no booking fee but a postage and packing fee applies per transaction.

Please note that these offers do not apply to Flying Legends (Saturday 30 June and Sunday 1 July 2012).

Advance tickets will be available until:

The Jubilee Air Show

For overseas postal delivery – 5.00pm on Friday 11 May
For UK postal delivery – 5.00pm on Wednesday 16 May

The Duxford Air Show
For overseas postal delivery – 5.00pm on Friday 24 August
For UK postal delivery – 5.00pm on Wednesday 29 August

Autumn Air Show
For overseas postal delivery – 5.00pm on Friday 28 September

For UK postal delivery – 5.00pm on Wednesday 3 October
Please call the Box Office on 01223 499353 should you require further assistance.

VIP Packages for The Duxford Air Show

Enjoy a very special air show experience with our range of hospitality passes which offer the best seats in the house at The Duxford Air Show (Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 September 2012).

Our Platinum Pass offers seats at the heart of the flying action, together with access to a sumptuous hospitality marquee where you can enjoy a delectable two-course lunch before enjoying a thrilling flying display fromthe comfort of a private garden enclosure. PlatinumPass is perfect for corporate entertaining or a special family celebration.

Gold Pass offers relaxed entertaining at its best. Enjoy a fine view of the flying action and access to a fully equipped hospitality marquee.

Choose to dine fromour in-house Gourmet Deli Bar or bring your own picnic lunch and relax in comfort as you watch the flying display fromthe heart of the flight line.

New for 2012, Silver Pass has been created especially with families in mind. Enjoy all the atmosphere and activities that the air show has to offer fromthe convenience of the Silver Passmarquee. There will be special children’s activities to entertain all the family and a refreshment point selling drinks and snacks.

Book your Gold or Silver Pass tickets beforeWednesday 29 February 2012 and enjoy £5 off the standard ticket price.

Tickets can be purchased online at iwm.org.uk or by calling the Box Office on 01223 499353. The Box Office is open Monday to Friday from9.30amto 4.30pm.

Join us for a thrilling season of air shows in 2012 – the sky’s the limit for exciting aerial entertainment!

www.iwm.org.uk

Sunday 13 November

Free admission to all

On Remembrance Sunday, IWMDuxford will be hosting a special service of remembrance .

Admission to the museum is free for all on Remembrance Sunday and we very much hope that people will take this opportunity to visit IWM Duxford on the day whenmembers of the Armed Forces, who lost their lives in active service, are remembered.

At 11.00am, a two-minute silence will be observed across the museum, commencing and concluding with a traditional gun salute presented by The Garrison.

We’ll be hosting activities throughout the museum, looking at the poppy, the striking symbol of remembrance that resonates back to the First World War.

In AirSpace, between 10.00amand 3.00pm,make a poppy and wear it with pride or attach it to the large Flanders Field frieze. In Land Warfare between 10.00amand 3.00pm, your assembled poppy can be attached to a mural depicting modern warfare and between 11.30am and 3.30pm you can also meet veterans of the Royal Anglian Regiment who will chat about their personal experiences of war.

In Hangar 4: Battle of Britain, between 10.00amand 3.00pm we’ll be making a giant poppy comprised of 2000 individual poppies. The Remembrance Poppy was originally designed so that it could be assembled with just one hand. Visitors will have the opportunity to deconstruct a poppy and then try to reconstruct it using only one hand.

Visitors can then sign their poppy, dedicate it to a loved one or write their own personal message and then add it to the giant poppy that will come to life throughout the day in Hangar 4: Battle of Britain.

The Remembrance Service will commence at 12.30pmin the Conservation Hall in AirSpace. There will be standard bearers from the Royal British Legion and local air cadets. The Sawston Youth Group Band will perform the Last Post.

Why not post your own personal message of remembrance onto our Wall of Remembrance which will be in the Conservation Hall throughout the day.

Join us at historic Duxford to remember those who gave their lives in conflicts past and present and to actively commemorate those who are no longer with us.

www.iwm.org.uk/duxford

Saturday 22 to Sunday 30 October

AirSpace

Tales of wartime endeavour are Brought to Life during October Half Term.

Every day between 10.30am and 2.30pm, visitors have the opportunity to handle items from the First World War and Second World War, looking at the changing role of the soldier and comparing and contrasting uniforms and equipment from both periods.

By getting hands-on with military equipment, visitors can learn more about warfare as it was fought on the front line.

Visitors can learn more about how bravery in the field of conflict is recognised through the awarding of medals and decorations, making their own individual medals and then finding out the history and meaning behind such honours.

On Wednesday 26, Thursday 27, Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 October between 11.00am and 1.00pm, veterans from a wide range of military conflicts will be chatting to visitors about their experiences and sharing their own personal memories of their time at war.

Veterans from the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, Army and the Home Front from the Second World War will be present, together with ex-servicemen from the Royal Anglian Regiment and the Parachute Regiment who served in the Malayan Conflict, the Falklands War and Northern Ireland, in addition to veterans of the Korean War.

Men and women of varying ages, backgrounds and experiences, they have fascinating and individual stories to tell about their own personal war. Veterans will have artefacts and photographs with them, which they are happy to discuss with visitors.

Veterans attending include (different veterans will be attending on each day):

· A member of the Royal Anglian Regiment (1986 to 1994) who served in Germany, the Falkland Islands, Northern Ireland, the UK and Canada.

· A member of the Parachute Regiment (1971 to 1974) who completed four tours of Northern Ireland and who also carried out Jungle Warfare Training in Malaya.

· A telegraphist in the Royal Navy during the Second World War, who served on HMS Uganda, took part in the Battle of the Atlantic and was part of an escort that took Winston Churchill to the USA in 1943.

· A member of the British Resistance Organisation (Churchill’s Secret Army) (1940 to 1943) who then joined the Royal Air Force and was a Flight Sergeant until 1947.

· A Petty Officer in the Royal Navy during the Second World War who served in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean and with Russian Convoys on Motor Gun Boats and on submarines .

· A Flight Lieutenant in RAF Bomber Command during the Second World War who worked as a bomb aimer and as a navigator in Halifaxes and Mosquitoes, and spent 5 months evading capture in Holland and Belgium.

· A National Service conscripted serviceman who served in Trieste and then in the Korean War from 1951 to 1952.

· A member of the Royal Anglian Regiment and the 2nd Northamptonshire Yeomanry.

· A Sergeant in the Army during the Second World War who served in Sicily, North Africa, Italy, Austria and the British Isles.

· A member of the Home Guard from 1940 to 1942, who then became a platoon commander in a rifle company of an infantry battalion. He served in France, Belgium and Holland, and was wounded in Germany. He was awarded the Military Cross.

· A member of the Royal Navy, from 1952 until 1964, who served on a variety of ships as a Leading Radio Operator and who witnessed H bomb testing near Christmas Island in the South Pacific.

· A member of the 1st Battalion of the 3rd East Anglian Regiment (1959 to 1961) who served in the Malayan conflict.

· A Sergeant in the Royal Marines during the Second World War who provided bombardment support to the Land Forces at major landings.

· A Royal Marine (1978 to 1982) who was in 41 Commando and did a tour of duty with the United Nations in Cyprus in 1979.

· A Royal Marine during the Second World War whose ship was one of the first to land at Sword Beach during the Normandy Landings in June 1944.

· A Gunner with the Royal Artillery during the Second World War, who served in India, Changi, Taiwan and Japan and was held in a Japanese Prisoner of War camp.

· A member of the Royal Air Force (1944 to 1953) who flew with Bomber Command just after the end of the Second World War, then with Fighter Command from 1949 and who flew some of the earliest jets, including the Vampire and Meteor.

· A Second World War schoolchild who enjoyed playing on the bomb sites and later joined the Royal Air Force.

· A Second World War evacuee.

· A member of the Royal Anglian Regiment (1973 to 1979) who was stationed in Peterborough, driving Land Rovers and 4 tonners to transport personnel and equipment for use on deployment.

· An Able Seaman in the Royal Navy during the Second World War.

· A Second World War evacuee who later served in the Royal Navy.

· A member of the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve during the Second World War who served in Bomb Disposal and on escort duties for submarines and shipping.

Different veterans will be attending on Wednesday 26, Thursday 27, Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 October. Attendance by veterans is subject to availability.

Spitfire Stories Tour

Monday 24 to Friday 28 October

A new FREE tour, Spitfire Stories looks at RAF Duxford’s synonymous relationship with the Spitfire, through the eyes of the pilots and ground crew who worked and lived with this iconic aircraft.

Learn more about the mental strength and aptitude needed to be a successful Battle of Britain fighter pilot.

Find out more about the personal stories behind the operational role of the Spitfire at Duxford, taken from the memories of the men who flew and maintained this legendary aircraft, from its first days in service and throughout the Battle of Britain.

This tour is included in standard admission to the Museum and runs on a first-come, first-served basis. The tour will last for approximately 30 minutes and booking is not required.

War Memorial by Richard Walker

In addition, local artist Richard Walker will be showing his latest work, War Memorial, in AirSpace.

This large-scale painting took two years to paint and a year and a half to research. It is made up of 35 separate canvases, brought together in five panels.

The painting is a war memorial, dedicated to the people who served in the GreatWar.

The images in the paintings are of objects and ephemera from the different branches of the military services, including uniforms, medals, medical kits, signal flags and some weapons. In addition, there are private and personal objects included, which were found in many family archives, such as personal letters, postcards, photographs, memorial plaques, newspapers and commemorative items.

They are arranged in such a way that they imply a sense of cause and effect with personal objects from the Front balanced against objects that reference warfare.

Richard Walker lives and works in St Neots, Cambridgeshire, where he teaches art and art history at Kimbolton School. He studied Fine Art at the Central St Martin’s School of Art, London, graduating in 1989, after which he worked in the medium of sculpture, until about ten years ago, when he started exploring military objects and aircraft through the medium of complex ink drawings.

War Memorial will be on display in AirSpace throughout the October Half Term.

To see examples of Richard Walker’s work go to http://picasaweb.google.com/113993138387162629653

www.iwm.org.uk/duxford

Brought to Life presents the experiences of war through the first-person stories of those who fought so valiantly for their country throughout 20th century conflicts. It gives visitors the opportunity to learn more about the ordinary people who experienced extraordinary circumstances, through a range of inspiring activities.

British Airways has today launched its biggest brand advertising campaign for a decade. The TV advert showcases the airline’s heritage and highlights the characteristics that makes British Airways so special. Synonymous with heritage in aviation, IWM Duxford was chosen as one of the filming locations for the new British Airways advert.

Filming took place during June 2011 and involved a team of 40 extras and a large film crew. The Museum worked in partnership with a number of on-site flying partners to achieve the complex filming requirements.

The advert shows Duxford Aviation Society’s Concorde cockpit and VC10, Classic Wings’ de Havilland Dragon Rapide and a number of IWM Duxford vehicles, including the Bedford truck on display in AirSpace , the refueller from Hangar 4: Battle of Britain and the BOAC cub and luggage trolley from AirSpace.

A Douglas DC-3 Dakota was flown in from Norway especially for the occasion and several vintage vehicles were brought in from other collections to represent the appropriate historical periods.

The filming involved recreating nostalgic civil aviation scenes from a number of periods during the 20th century. Duxford was transported back to the 1930s, 1950s and 1960s during the filming project.

The stunningly visual advert was launched on Wednesday 21 September on the British Airways Facebook site – http://www.facebook.com/#!/britishairways.

Comedian Al Murray visited Imperial War Museum Duxford yesterday (1st September) for a flight in a Spitfire to promote The Duxford Air Show (Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 September) which will be celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Spitfire.

He took to the skies in Aircraft Restoration Company’s Spitfire TR9, piloted by John Romain.

On landing back at Duxford, a beaming Al said, “That was the most extraordinary thing. I haven’t had time to digest it yet. It was just mind-boggling.”

Al is a huge fan of Duxford and a great enthusiast of aviation and Second World War history generally.

About Duxford, he said, “Duxford is brilliant because it’s a historic site where history is being kept alive with an amazing collection of aircraft and dedicated people keeping them going.”

The Duxford Air Show on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 September celebrates the 75th anniversary of the Spitfire at the home of this iconic aircraft.

A spectacular flying display includes the only UK appearance in 2011 of the United States Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle, a thrilling aircraft to watch in action and a true highlight of the flying programme. On Thursday 1 September, the F-15E Eagle rehearsed its flying display in the skies over Duxford. (Photo attached).

Celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Spitfire, Duxford marks the technological development of this legendary fighter with static and aerial displays by a range of Spitfires, from the original Mark I Spitfire through to the Mark XVI.

Never-seen-before displays at Duxford include the Royal Norwegian Air Force Historical Squadron de Havilland Vampire T.55 and FB6 Pair and the RAF Beech King Air B200.

Fun is not just to be had in the air as there are plenty of activities for all the family to enjoy throughout the day, including living history groups bringing the Second World War to life; Colonel Richard Graham hosting talks next to the SR-71Blackbird in the American Air Museum; an Airfix Make and Paint zone and more fun activities for all the family.

With the Museum open as usual, this fun-packed day out will ensure that the 75th anniversary of the Spitfire is celebrated in unforgettable style!

Al Murray is one of the most recognisable and successful comedians in the UK with his alter-ego The Pub Landlord. His British Comedy Award-winning ITV1 series Al Murray’s Happy Hour has delighted both viewers and critics alike with his no-nonsense treatment of his celebrity guests.

Out of character, Al has hosted Al Murray’s German Adventure (BBC Four), a historical series about the art and culture of Germany, as well as appearances on What’s So Funny… (Channel 4), That Sunday Night Show (ITV), Frank Skinner’s Opinionated (BBC 2), Have I Got News For You (BBC 1) and The Road to Berlin, a 10-episode documentary series on the Second World War for Discovery.

Tickets for The Duxford Air Show can be purchased on each day of the air show (advance booking has now closed). For further information go to www.iwm.org.uk/duxford

The Duxford Air Show (Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 September) celebrates the 75th anniversary of the first flight of the Spitfire, at the home of this iconic aircraft.A spectacular flying display includes the only UK appearance in 2011 of the United States Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle, a thrilling aircraft to watch in action and a true highlight of the flying programme.

Celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Spitfire, Duxford marks the technological development of this legendary fighter with static and aerial displays by a range of Spitfires, from the original Mark I Spitfire through to the Mark XVI.

Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will display its Avro Lancaster, Supermarine Spitfire and Hawker Hurricane while a Hispano HA-1112 Bouchon and Hawker Hurricane will recreate the dog fights of the Battle of Britain in the skies over this historic fighter base.

Never-seen-before displays at Duxford include the Royal Norwegian Air Force Historical Squadron de Havilland Vampire T.55 and FB6 Pair and the RAF Beech King Air B200.

Aerial excitement will be provided by aerobatic masters The Aerostars, the largest civilian formation aerobatic team in the world. The SWIP Twister Duo performs graceful aerobatics in the Silence Twister which, with its elliptical wings, strongly resembles the Supermarine Spitfire. The SWIP Twister Duo is aerobatic experts Peter Wells and Guy Westgate.

The Piper Cub Truck Top Landing is a spectacle not to be missed! As a large truck drives down the runway, pilot Brendan O’Brien lines up a Piper Cub and lands it on the roof – a feat of skill and precision that amazes audiences.

The RedHawks Duo formation display team performs elegant glider displays to music, a gentle and graceful contrast to the more powerful aircraft displays.

Other highlights include the French Air Force Dassault/ Dornier Alpha Jet (Saturday only), Augusta Westland Apache AH Mk I, RAF Westland Sea King, Royal Navy Historic Flight Fairey Swordfish, B-17 Flying Fortress Sally B, Curtiss P-40F Warhawk, Curtiss P-40B Warhawk, Hawk 75, North American Fennec T-28 (x2) and the Hawker Nimrod (x2).

On static display will be the Polish Air Force M-28 and Historic Aircraft Collection’s newly restored Hawker Fury Mk I, the only one of its kind in the world.

Fun is not just to be had in the air as there are plenty  of activities for all the family to enjoy throughout the day.

The Second World War will be brought to life by various re-enactment groups, who will be meeting and chatting to visitors across the Museum. Ops 1939-45 will be recreating an RAF Fighter Pilots’ dispersal position and giving visitors a glimpse of 1940s Bomber briefings in action.

The Military Equipment Collectors will be recreating the role of the RAF ground crew who kept Spitfires constantly at scramble readiness throughout the Battle of Britain and beyond. They will be displaying an RAF Mobile Mechanic Unit with early Second World War field equipment.

The March Re-enactors will be recreating a Home Guard checkpoint, so have your identity cards at the ready!

Colonel Richard Graham will be hosting his ever-popular talks about the SR-71 Blackbird in the American Air Museum next to the SR-71 Spyplane that he flew. In Land Warfare, visitors can meet and chat to veterans of the Burma Star campaign, who will be talking about their personal experiences of warfare.

There are lots of fun things for all the family to do together. At the Airfix Make and Paint Zone, visitors can make their own model aircraft, paint it in a range of colours and take it home as a souvenir of a fabulous air show day.

On the Hangar Base, there is Second World War paintballing, 1940s outfits for children to try on and mini-tank rides. The RAF Recruitment Team will also be on the Hangar Base, inviting visitors to climb aboard the replica Tornado model. For any daredevil visitors, the Parachute Regiment will be offering jumps from the Airborne Forces Jump Tower.

The Military History Hands on History Zone in Hanger 4: Battle of Britain offers the chance to meet a costumed interpreter acting the role of a wartime character and to hold and handle historic objects.

There is also the chance to learn more about historic objects in the American Air Museum.

Duxford Radio Society has displays of Second WorldWar radio equipment where visitors can get hands-on and have a go at transmitting and receiving messages.

Visitors can enhance their day by enjoying a tank ride, a flight in a classic 1930s aeroplane or a children’s fun ride.

With the Museum open as usual, this fun-packed day out will ensure that the 75th anniversary of the Spitfire is celebrated in unforgettable style!

The IWM Duxford Air Show App 2011

Following the launch of the IWM Duxford Air Shows App at the Spring Air Show and some enthusiastic feedback from users, we have refined the Air Shows App for use at The Duxford Air Show.

The App will now run faster and more seamlessly, providing real time, up-to-the-minute information about what is flying at The Duxford Air Show, as the aircraft display.

Available for both Android and iPhone platforms, the App also includes an extensive library of photography, statistics and information about classic aircraft you can see flying in the 2011 air shows and where in the Museum you can find out more about them.

The App is currently FREE to download. It will be available for download prior to The Duxford Air Show and on the day itself – IWM Duxford will be providing wifi access at the museum for live downloading.

This dynamic guide to The Duxford Air Show, and our other air shows throughout 2011, is a first for Duxford and demonstrates the Imperial War Museum’s commitment to innovation in new technologies. It aims to be the most innovative air show app around.

For further information go to www.iwm.org.uk/duxfordairshows

Thousands of visitors enjoyed a day out at IWM Duxford stateside-style today, Friday 19 August, at American Air Day.

Visitors met and mingled with men and women from the Third Air Force of the United States Air Force in Europe, based at RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall in East Anglia.

There were a wide range of fascinating demonstrations, from the K9 dog display team, to the Birdman with his stunning birds of prey. There was a display by the USAFE Operational Support Service showing how they prepare a fighter aircraft for readiness, using Duxford’s own static F-15 Eagle for true authenticity, and a display of Security Forces Humvee vehicles and equipment.

In a poignant Missing in Action ceremony, the USAFE Honor Guard remembered United States personnel who are missing in action or lost their lives in active service.

Imperial War Museum Duxford was delighted to welcome back SR-71 Blackbird pilot Colonel Richard Graham who hosted walk-around tours of the Blackbird spy plane that he flew, which is now in pride of place in the American Air Museum.

There were also displays by the USAFE weather display team and medical team. Visitors also had to the chance to see some stylish American cars and motorbikes.

The USAFE C-130 aircraft flew in, landed and opened for very popular public tours.

In the skies there were exciting fly-pasts and displays. There were a series of United States Air Force fly-pasts, comprising two F-15E aircraft, followed by a fly-past of a KC-135. This was followed by a fly-past of two F-15C aircraft.

Duxford’s historic American aircraft then took to the skies, with displays by a pair of North American Harvards, followed by a Boeing Stearman, and then a pair of S1 Pitts aircraft.

The final flypast of USAF F-15E aircraft was followed by a second display of Duxford aircraft, including the North American F-86 Sabre, Beech Staggerwing and Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina.

It was a fantastic day of Anglo-American celebration, enjoyed by visitors from both sides of the pond!

http://www.iwm.org.uk/duxford