The American Air Museum at IWM Duxford is a must-visit for any fans of Masters of the Air
- Donald L Miller, author of Masters of the Air.

Dive deeper into the stories depicted in the hit Apple TV+ series Masters of the Air with our dedicated on-site trail at IWM Duxford.

Duxford was home to the US Army Air Force 78th Fighter Group, who escorted heavy bombers on their missions into Nazi Germany. As you explore our preserved airfield and buildings - many unchanged since the Second World War - you’ll be walking in the footsteps of those who served.

In the American Air Museum, you’ll get up close to our B-17 bomber; the iconic plane seen in the show. You’ll discover what life was like for those who flew, and hear stories from people on the ground who loved, lived and worked with the air crews of the Eighth Air Force.

Masters Of The Air is available on Apple TV+.

Visitors looking at objects in the American Air Museum

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Book your visit to IWM Duxford today, or consider supporting IWM by becoming a member. Members enjoy free admission to our charging branches including IWM Duxford, Churchill War Rooms and HMS Belfast.

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Go beyond the screen

  • American Air Museum exhibits IWM Duxford
    © IWM

    American Air Museum

    The American Air Museum tells the story of people whose lives were shaped by American air power over a century of war.

    Get up close to our B-17 Flying Fortress and hear from the air crews of the Eighth Air Force. You'll also discover how lives on the ground were forever changed by the arrival of over 350,000 American service personnel in rural East England.

    Entry to the American Air Museum is included in general admission to IWM Duxford. 

  • Historic Duxford 78th FG display
    © IWM

    Historic Duxford

    The US Eighth Air Force's 78th Fighter Group was based at RAF Duxford between April 1943 and October 1945.

    Through their own words, original film and real objects, you will discover the stories of some the thousands of men and women who lived and worked here.

  • Visitors in the American Air Museum
    © IWM

    The Americans at Duxford

    Pick up our free guide to explore stories, objects and places related to the Eighth Air Force, taking you deeper into the stories depicted in the hit Apple TV+ series Masters of the Air.

Real people, real stories

Explore the American Air Museum's archive to uncover the real stories and real history of the people, places and events portrayed in Masters of the Air.
Explore the American Air Museum's archive

IWM Stories

Headshot of Pilot Robert 'Rosie' Rosenthal of the 100th Bomb Group superimposed on top of an image of a B-17 in flight.
Second World War

100th Bomb Group: The legendary bomb group of the Second World War

The 100th Bomb Group is one of the most famous of the Second World War - earning the nickname 'The Bloody Hundredth'. Their heroic experiences feature in the upcoming war drama Masters Of The Air.  But where did their legend come from? In this video, IWM Curator Dr Hattie Hearn examines the real history of 'The Bloody Hundredth'.

Captain Walker L Boone, Flight Officer Manuel S Martinez, and Flight Officer Jerry E Brasher, on the bonnet of a Dodge WC at Duxford
IWM
Second World War

10 Incredible Photos Of American Servicemen At Duxford In The Second World War

The US Eighth Air Force's 78th Fighter Group was based at RAF Duxford between April 1943 and October 1945. The following 10 photos show the kinds of things they got up to when Duxford was the place they called home.

B-17 video thumbnail
© IWM
Second World War

B-17 Flying Fortress

The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress dropped more bombs than any other US aircraft in the Second World War. A lot of these aircraft flew out of bases in England, as part of the USAAF’s daylight strategic bombing campaign. In this video, we take a close look at the B-17, take a look inside the fuselage and cockpit, and hear from two veteran B-17 crew.

Real pilots

Uncover the true stories behind the characters in Masters of the Air in the American Air Museum's archive.

  • Studio portrait of Gale Cleven
    US Public Domain

    Major Gale Cleven

    Portrayed by Austin Butler in the Apple TV+ series Masters of the Air.

    One of the original members of the 100th Bomb Group, Gale Cleven was pilot on some of the group’s first missions, before he was shot down over Bremen in October 1943.

  • Major John C. Egan, of the 100th Bomb Group, wearing a fez on his return from the Regensburg Shuttle mission
    ©IWM (FRE 4069)

    Major John Egan

    Portrayed by Callum Turner in the Apple TV+ series Masters of the Air.

    Known for wearing a white sheepskin flying jacket, John 'Bucky 'Egan was a role model for newly arrived air crews joining the 100th Bomb Group at Thorpe Abbotts.

  • Portrait of Harry Crosby 100th Bomb Group
    Courtesy 100th Bomb Group museum

    Major Harry Crosby

    Portrayed by Anthony Boyle in the Apple TV+ series Masters of the Air.

    Harry Crosby was a navigator with the 100th Bomb Group. He flew 32 combat missions in a tour that spanned the 100th service in England.

  • Studio portrait of Curtis Biddick
    US Public Domain

    Lieutenant Curtis Biddick

    Portrayed by Barry Keoghan in the Apple TV+ series Masters of the Air.

    A salesman before the Second World War, Curtis Biddick stepped into replace another pilot on the 100th Bomb Group's mission to Regensburg in August 1943. 

  • Studio portrait of Rosie Rosenthal
    Courtesy 100th Bomb Group

    Major Rosie Rosenthal

    Portrayed by Nate Mann in the Apple TV+ series Masters of the Air.

    Rosenthal joined the 100th Bomb Group in August 1943, and on his third mission became the only pilot to safely return to base following the mission to Munster on 10 October 1943

  • Kenneth Lemmons, 100th Bomb Group working on a B-17 Flying Fortress
    Courtesy Michelle Lemmons Walker

    Master Sergeant Kenneth Lemmons

    Portrayed by Raff Law in Apple's Masters of the Air

    Lemmons was a crew chief in the 100th Bomb Group, responsible for maintaining many of the B-17 Flying Fortresses. 

Masters of the Air and IWM

Discover more about IWM's role in the creation of the Apple TV+ series Masters of the Air.

Promotional Still from Apple TV's Masters of the Air: Austin Butler as Gale Gleven standing in front of B-17 Flying Fortress
©Apple TV+

Masters of the Air

Find out how IWM's curator consultancy helped Apple TV to realise Masters of the Air (2024) the mini-series from the creators of Band of Brothers (2001).

Churchill War Rooms Interior Hall
© IWM, Churchill War Rooms

Filming and Photography at IWM

Our locations provide commercial film, TV, photography and creative advertising shoot experiences that engage emotions and tell many different stories.

Actor Gary Oldman visits Churchill War Rooms during promotion for his film Darkest Hour
© Churchill War Rooms

Curator Consultancy

IWM is a leading authority on conflict and its impact, focusing on Britain, its former Empire and the Commonwealth, from the First World War to the present. IWM’s curators are experts in their field and can provide reliable guidance and information for commercial projects such as feature films, documentaries and consumer products.