Historic Duxford Exhibition

Historic Duxford
Historic Duxford

A corporal and other WRAF personnel stationed at RAF Duxford, off duty with two male colleagues. This photograph - one of a series in the Historic Duxford archive - shows the 'girls' and 'boys' fooling around with a rugby ball, c.1919.
Historic Duxford
Historic Duxford

Nine Gloster Gauntlets of No.19 Squadron performed an aerobatic air drill over Duxford on 6 July 1935, as the climax of the King George V Silver Jubilee Review of the RAF.
Historic Duxford
Historic Duxford

Flight Lieutenant H Broadhurst, leader of No.19 Squadron's aerobatic flight of three Gloster Gauntlets tied together, with his wing men, c.1936. You can listen to Broadhurst describing this display technique in the Historic Duxford exhibition.
Historic Duxford
Historic Duxford

Spitfires of No.19 Squadron lined up for the press, 4 May 1939. Twelve pilots performed air drills, and Flight Lieutenant Henry I Cozens did an individual display to demonstrate the Spitfire's revolutionary capabilities.
Historic Duxford
Historic Duxford

Interior of the Orderly Room inside Station Headquarters at RAF Duxford, with RAF, WAAF and civilian clerks at work during the height of the Battle of Britain, September 1940.
Historic Duxford
Historic Duxford

WRAF airwomen receive fencing instruction from a pilot officer at RAF Duxford, 1954. Although a rigid hierarchy was enforced on duty, airwomen enjoyed equal opportunity with airmen and officers to experience a variety of activities off duty.

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IWM London
London
Open daily 10am - 6pm
Closed 24, 25 and 26 December

Admission is free
- What's On
- Visiting Information
IWM North
Manchester
Open daily 10am - 5pm
Last admission 4.30pm
Closed 24, 25 and 26 December

Admission is free
- What's On
- Visiting Information
IWM Duxford
Cambridgeshire
Open daily

Summer 10am - 6pm
Last admission 5pm

Winter 10am - 4pm
Last admission 3pm

Closed 24, 25 and 26 December
- What's On
- Visiting Information
Churchill War Rooms
London
Open daily 9.30am - 6pm
Last admission 5pm
Closed 24, 25 and 26 December
- What's On
- Visiting Information
HMS Belfast
London
Open daily 10am - 6pm
Last admission 5pm
Closed 24, 25 and 26 December
- What's On
- Visiting Information

Historic Duxford

Historic Duxford

Muriel Vera Derby (left) was a member of the Women's Royal Air Force at Duxford during the First World War. She was a Typist Clerk. A small generator propeller, given to Muriel by an admirer, features in the Historic Duxford exhibition.
Historic Duxford

George 'Sammy' Sampson served as a pilot and instructor at RAF Duxford from 1931 to 1933. The film camera used by George, to capture off-duty life at Duxford, can be seen in Historic Duxford together with some of his evocative film.
Historic Duxford

Wing Commander George 'Grumpy' Unwin was one of RAF Duxford’s most successful fighter pilots. He flew with No. 19 Squadron in the Battle of Britain. George’s medals can be seen in the Historic Duxford exhibition.
Historic Duxford

Lawrence Casey was an American fighter pilot who flew from RAF Duxford in 1944. He was shot down over France and, with the help of the French Resistance, made his way back to Britain. His A2 flying jacket features in Historic Duxford.
Historic Duxford

Les Millgate was a fighter pilot at RAF Duxford in the 1950s. He served two tours with No. 64 Squadron and left RAF Duxford in 1958. On retirement, he returned to IWM Duxford as a volunteer. Les's flying helmet is on display in Historic Duxford.

Historic Duxford is a new exhibition and historic site trail for families which explores Duxford's time as an RAF airfield from 1918 to 1961.

With many things to watch, listen to, have a go at, wear and even smell, Historic Duxford paints a vivid picture of daily life at RAF Duxford. Hear and see fascinating personal stories told by the men and women who worked and lived at RAF Duxford, in sound and film.

See the Watch Office, the forerunner to the Control Tower, as it might have been during the late 1930s.

Complementing the Historic Duxford exhibition is a heritage trail around the historic site with eight interactive posts. Each post features audio memories from veterans who worked at RAF Duxford. Pick up an activity sheet from the exhibition to complete as you follow the trail.

Discover Duxford’s own story – its eventful past and fascinating people.

Entry to Historic Duxford is included in admission to IWM Duxford.