List of aircraft at the imperial war museum duxford. Fly in a spitfire the grace spitfire warbird flights. This was the imperial war museums very own spitfire, n3200, which was displayed beautifully by john romain. A spitfire on finals to duxford, the airfield from where the spitfire as an raf type first. When spitfire p9374 flew over duxford for the first time in 2011, it was the culmination of a fouryear restoration project. Spitfire experiences the supermarine spitfire is synonymous with duxford.
The only hope for halting the german bombardment, was the raf. Duxford war museums spitfire work preserving history. I didnt book the experience there and then but booked online which was a straightforward process. Once complete, unless sold, the aircraft are based at duxford and operated by arc for air displays. Pilots log book files detail how british fighters intercepted huge numbers of german planes the reason for this, the mighty supermarine spitfire mk1. Now looking resplendent in original markings, the first engine runs took place on friday 17th june 2011, a proud moment for all involved. The remains were recovered in february 2018 and it is being restored to fly by the aircraft restoration company at duxford. As can be seen on the arc facebook page spitfire t.
Travel from duxford for spitfire experience days that are truly nostalgic. Follow the restoration of spitfire nh341 famously flown by ace 411 sqdn. The aero legends supermarine spitfire restoration nh341 project and conversion to a dual cockpit t9 version is by the experts at historic flying ltd hfl, duxford. Easy to access and steeped in history, this famous heritage site is family friendly with onsite restaurant, cafes and childrens play area. An insight into building, restoring and returning spitfires to the skies haynes restoration manuals paul blackah. What does it take to restore a world war two spitfire. We are very happy to announce that we have completed the purchase of twoseat spitfire pt462. Duxford spitfires supermarine spitfire warbirds online. This spitfire had been involved in the defence of malta but it crashlanded on the edge of a cliff at dwejra bay, gozo in march 1943 and was subsequently pushed over the cliff. Spitfire experience mj 627 classic wings, duxford traveller. Duxfords principle role as a second world war fighter station is celebrated at the battle of britain air show by more than 40 historic aircraft taking to the skies. Following further final preparation the spitfire took to the air from duxford for its first postrestoration flight on th january 2005 in the hands of arc managing director and pilot john romain.
Duxford air museum tour concorde, comet, vulcan, lancaster, spitfire, tsr2, harrier and more. Aerial collective spitfire flights duxford vintage. The story behind the restoration of spitfire p9374 raf. Nov 12, 2012 one great place to see a very diverse collection of such aircraft is in the uk at the conservation in action section of the imperial war museum duxford their aircraft restoration hangar.
Dedicated to the restoration of this historic aircraft, they commissioned historic flying limited to undertake the intensive work required to return the spitfire to its. The comanche fighters spitfire mk vb ep122glb made its first postrestoration flight on the 4th may 2016 after it was restored at biggin hill heritage hangar ltd. Duxford battle of britain airshow british airshows. In 2017 the mass takeoff, bigwing and tailchase was followed by the finale part two, and further show highlight, in the form of 5 hurricanes flying alongside the blenheim, a trio of mk 1 spitfires and a gloster gladiator.
New spitfire for the aircraft restoration company at duxford. A spitfire on finals to duxford, the airfield from where the spitfire as an raf type first became operational in 1939. On july 9 the historic aircraft will go under the hammer in a truly unique auction. These flights are available on a pre book basis only. Design engineer nick grace, having always wanted to fly a spitfire, acquired ml407 in late 1979 from the strathallan museum and spent five years meticulously restoring the spitfire to flying condition in its two seat configuration incorporating what is known as the grace in line canopy conversion which nick designed to remove the bulbous rear canopy to a more streamlined version to. We operate out of iwm duxford, the optimum airfield for the finest two seater spitfire and vintage warbird flight experiences. Last of its kind supermarine spitfire to be auctioned for charity. The aircraft restoration company duxford, building 425. Jun 29, 2014 duxford air museum tour concorde, comet, vulcan, lancaster, spitfire, tsr2, harrier and more. You can book a spitfire flight with aerial collective, discover how it feels for real, and create a moment in time youll never forget. While that book touched upon the subject of modernday spitfire restoration, the subject occupies the majority of this book.
Ia, p7308 xrd gaist and gcguk r9612 lc, both based here at duxford airfield. Fly a spitfire from duxford spitfire flights book your experience. Iwm, supermarine spitfire mark 1a, iwm duxford following the recovery of the aircrafts remains, spitfire n3200 was acquired in 2000 by dr thomas kaplan and simon marsh. Project manager martin mo overall explains how you go about rebuilding one of the icons of british engineering. Classic wings classic vintage flights and flying lessons. A rare example of one of the worlds most iconic aircraft, a mark 1 spitfire. Supermarine spitfires at the duxford flying legends airshow. The role of the spitfire at dunkirk secret spitfires. Check the aircraft restoration company in duxford, building 425, duxford airfield on cylex and find. Review duxford battle of britain airshow when airshow dates are announced, there are always some that just leap out at you as must attend events and a celebration of the battle of britain at duxford has to be one of those. It was not johns first flight in this particular aircraft though, as it is also the one in which he had his very first spitfire flight, as a. Duxfords principle role as a second world war fighter station is celebrated at the battle of britain air.
Spitfire from the sands appeared in the may 20 issue of aviation history magazine. The finale is a balbo, a massedformation featuring many of the aircraft that took part in the flying displays. Duxford 2020 airshows duxford in cambridgeshire is a very popular venue for warbird enthusiasts. Aircraft restoration at iwm duxford aces flying high. P9374 took to the air on august 30, 2011 and it is the earliest mark of spitfire flying anywhere in the world.
Boasting an impressive number of vintage aeroplanes even for an iwm show the wellstructured flying display utilised the aircraft in unique and historic aerial setpieces that stirred the emotions, forging not only one of the finest uk airshows of the 2017 season but broader moments. Spitfire moving to duxford from londons imperial war museum. Iwm duxfords battle of britain spectacular the vintage. Forgotten spitfire will fly again after major restoration a project to create the most authentic flying mark i spitfire will be completed later this year when aircraft x4650 takes to. We operate two, twoseater spitfires, both of which are lovingly maintained by the aircraft restoration company on site and who both saw action in world war ii. Andy saunders 2012 book about the restoration, spitfire mark i p9374 grubb street publishing, is recommended for further reading. Not only was the legendary warbirds airshow blessed with stunning summer weather and deep blue skies on sunday, it also featured many impressive warbird formations, amongst them a stunning 4ship formation of buchons a real treat not seen for ages. The imperial war museums september battle of britain air show provided a veritable warbird extravaganza. With our range of vintage and modern aircraft, original gift vouchers and corporate hospitality opportunities, we have. February 20, 2018 warbirdman supermarine spitfire, supermarine spitfire, warbird airshows, warbird news, warbird restoration projects 18 a pleasant surprise for all warbird enthusiasts in australia was the recent announcement by archerfield qld based fighter pilot that they are importing a supermarine spitfire xvie, raf serial te392 from. Ia p7308 xrd gaist and r9612 lc gcguk based at duxford airfield, previously at the biggin hill heritage hangar, biggin hill, kent. The show also showcased the modern and future raf with a selection of current service aircraft on the ground and in the air in a display of modern airpower. Spitfire n3200 will feature in the flying legends air show at iwm duxford this weekend 11 and 12 july and will play a large role in the battle of britain anniversary air show at duxford 19 and 20 september.
From this historic base the company provides an extensive range of aviation services for aircraft owners. The aircraft restoration company is the largest of the specialist aero engineering companies sited at duxford. This was followed by two spitfire mk ias from comanche fighters and historic flying chasing a single buchon to honor those who flew and fought over dunkirk in mayjune, 1940. Duxford is also home to many private aircraft collections such as the fighter collection tfc, the old flying machine company ofmc, and the aircraft restoration company etc. A flight in the iconic spitfire is a truly unique experience and a day that you will never forget. For the chance to see this iconic aircraft in close quarters from the air choose a wing to wing experience or for the ultimate aviation encounter it is now possible to fly as a passenger in a spitfire, find out more. Of course, i was thrilled to see two p51s with the redandyellow checked markings of the 357th fighter group. Book your flight with a spitfire or a hurricane and create the most. The comanche fighters spitfire mk vb ep122glb made its first post restoration flight on the 4th may 2016 after it was restored at biggin hill heritage hangar ltd. Donated to the duxford aviation society in 1986 and moved to duxford still painted in danair markings. After having had the privilege to have seen this spitfire in duxford air museum and watching the progress of its restoration right through to watching it fly at the air show, i was told about the existence of this book so decided to purchase it. This centre for historic aviation is not to be missed.
The iwm duxford battle of britain airshow was the final official celebratory event for raf 100, chosen for this accolade because of duxfords significant 100 year history. Duxford airshows 2020 schedule, air festival dates. Sep 01, 2017 the only hope for halting the german bombardment, was the raf. Duxford spitfire formations have been larger than this but in the past they have stood on their own. Jul 17, 2012 after having had the privilege to have seen this spitfire in duxford air museum and watching the progress of its restoration right through to watching it fly at the air show, i was told about the existence of this book so decided to purchase it. One great place to see a very diverse collection of such aircraft is in the uk at the conservation in action section of the imperial war museum duxford their aircraft restoration hangar. Duxford war museums spitfire work preserving history by david keller bbc news. In april 1989 it was acquired by sheringham aviation. Experience the awe inspiring experience days pro spitfire experience from duxford cambridgeshire. Vb spitfire ep120 glfvbof the fighter collection duxford has been flying out of duxford since its restoration in 1995 and is a real contrast to most of the other spits on the program in that it features the low altitude clipped wings, which to my eye are very attractive and a little brutish. The iconic supermarine spitfire was the subject of a haynes workshop manual coauthored by paul blackah in 2006.
All our vouchers include free entry to iwm duxford and half price entry for friends and family where you can marvel at over 85 acres of aviation and military exhibits, including concorde, spitfires, gulf war jets, the lancaster and over 200 more rare and exciting aircraft. Historic piston engined aircraft in rare combinations in the air and an authentic 1940s atmosphere on the ground. Experience days pro offers a range of amazing flying experiences in this iconic aircraft. The supermarine spitfire first entered service in 1938 and remained in service throughout the war and beyond.
The duke of cambridge receives spitfire at iwm duxford. The spitfire lost for almost 50 years imperial war museums. The aircraft restoration company is the largest of the specialist aero engineering companies sited at duxford airfield, cambridgeshire. Following further final preparation the spitfire took to the air from duxford for its first post restoration flight on th january 2005 in the hands of arc managing director and pilot john romain. Unlike americas premier fighter, the p51 mustang, the spitfire was continuously updated throughout its lifetime, producing a large number of different varieties, or marks. Fly a spitfire from duxford spitfire flights book your. Museum and aircraft restoration company, duxford youtube.
Duxford flying legends 2018 written on 02 february 2019. The spitfire will be based in norway with the norwegian spitfire foundation once the restoration is completed, along with a norwegian civil register. One special item was the 617 squadron flypast consisting of the lancaster, tornado gr4 and f35 lightning ll. Andy saunders 2012 book about the restoration, spitfire mark i p9374. The thunderbolt is a very important aircraft to duxford as the type was based at the cambridgeshire airfield when it was a base for the usaaf 8 th air force. Nov 08, 2016 the aero legends supermarine spitfire restoration nh341 project and conversion to a dual cockpit t9 version is by the experts at historic flying ltd hfl, duxford. It truly is a wonderful book written beautifully and chronicling the history of this particular. Originally operated by the royal air force from 1946, it was used on the berlin airlift. On day two of the battle of britain air show at duxford the rain cleared just in time for the flying display. Built for high speed manoeuvres, the spitfire was perfect for attacking the german bombers before they could reach the beaches, enabling. Built at southampton in 1939, this supermarine spitfire mark 1a was issued to no. With duxford welcoming the very first raf spitfires during the summer of 1938, the airfield went on to be either the home station of, or temporary haven for many hundreds of spitfires during the wartime years and has also been associated with the restoration and post war operation of the aircraft, as it became an important component in the uk. One of the most popular warbird air shows and possibly the heritage air show of the aviation calendar.
Xvi td248 sits on the grass at duxford while a hispano buchon dummied up to represent a messerschmitt bf 109 taxies by in the background. Following a detailed preflight briefing you will follow in the footsteps of the few as you take to the. These spitfires await their turn in the air show spitfire mk. Saturday at duxfords battle of britain air show, and the red arrows celebrate 100 years of the raf. If you like warbirds then duxford is the airshow to visit. Duxford has several airshows during the season with the popular flying legends air show usually being held in july. On the day of the flight we arrived at the advised time but were told that the spitfires arrival at duxford would be delayed because of a puncture on take off from biggin hill. Gantk in the markings of danair, its last operator. List of aircraft at the imperial war museum duxford wikipedia. The completed aircraft was first flown at duxford on 1 september 2011 by john romain who later remarked of p9374, this is a fantastic restoration to be justifiably proud of spitfire p9374 is a truly lovely aircraft, and she flies beautifully. Duxford also commemorates the yanks who invaded the island, with an excellent exhibit in the american air museum and loving restorations of b17 flying fortress sally b and several p51 mustangs. I had the privilege of visiting this fantastic museum in june 2012 and saw aircraft from world war two, the cold war and the falklands conflict. In september 2020 the iwm duxford is commemorating the 80 th anniversary of the battle of britain, honouring those who defended great britain from aerial attack in 1940.