Out and about

Drop in to the Imperial War Museum Duxford on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th September for an air show extravaganza! If fast jets and vintage classics spark excitement in you, then the September air show at the Imperial War Museum Duxford will certainly appeal!

Photography by Neil Baker

The awe-inspiring Red Arrows will be there to astound the crowds yet again with their dramatic stunts, handling much-loved air show planes such as the Spitfire and B-17 Flying Fortress. And there are plenty of permanent attractions for you to enjoy over the weekend, all included in the cost of an air show ticket.

Be sure not to miss AirSpace, Duxford's new £25 million colossal hangar, which chronicles Britain's aviation history and speculates over its future. Covering an area of three acres, it's a breathtaking space encompassing a main Aircraft Hall and Mezzanine Exhibition Gallery, a Learning Centre, Lecture Theatre, Corporate Suite and Conservation Area.

The main Aircraft Hall showcases some of the most spectacular aircraft to have taken to our skies in the last century. Everywhere you look— above your head and all around you are these stunning jets. You can walk between and around these striking aeroplanes, get up close to them and even explore some of them, like Concorde, from the inside! You’ll be amazed at how tiny the seats are inside Concorde!

Kids will love it, and they won’t even realise their learning heaps about history while they’re having so much fun! Take them to see the American Air Museum, which remembers the 30,000 American airmen who fought for freedom during the Second World War. The museum also pays tribute to those who gave their lives in wars in other conflicts and battles of the 20th and 21st centuries, including Korea and Vietnam.

Aircraft participating in the Duxford 2007 air show include: The Red  Arrows, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster, Spitfire and Hurricane in their new 50th anniversary season colours, 208 Sqn RAF Hawk, 18 Sqn RAF Chinook display team and classic vintage aircraft including Spitfires, the Hurricane, B-17 Flying Fortress and World War One display team.

Gates open at 8am.  The main flying display will start at 2pm and finish at about 5.30pm.  The Red Arrows will display at 12 noon on Saturday and at 2pm on Sunday. On Sunday 9th September, the American Air Museum will not open until 11.30am.