Moonlight wrote:
Yeah...unfortunately.
Pretty straightforward from Brighton to Duxford, hit the M25 then it's motorway (freeway) all the way. Don't gripe about the petrol (gas) cost - the train would cost as much. Do avoid the M25 at peak hour though.
You'll easily spend an entire day (or two) exploring DX, so get there for opening and expect to leave at kick out. Most of it's public, only the offices over on the North side, the Aircraft Restoration Co / Historic Flying facility are out of bounds. If you have contacts you could buzz them an e-mail to ask to have a look around - you never know, and they're always interested in selling Spitfires to Yanks!
Don't miss the row of buildings on the north side (near the A505 road) behind the Belfast hangars. There's some interesting restorations going on in some of them.
Martin Claydon's website is a good 'guide' to the site:
http://www.duxford-update.info/
The official website's OK:
http://duxford.iwm.org.uk/
There's active aircraft in several of the hangars. If you present your secret handshake and obviously don't interrupt someone who shouldn't be interrupted, you may get a great chat with some of the guys. Likewise the IWM's own conservators in the IWM restoration hangar are doing interesting work.
If you have more time off, visit the RAF Museum or the Science Museum. You can get to both by train/tube from Brighton easily. Both have very historic aircraft you'll not find anywhere else. If you get to the RAF Museum, make sure you get briefed at reception on what's open when; there's several areas which are only open limited hours. Best London museum is the Imperial War Museum in Lambeth; like the others, can be got to by public transport, and much easier than trying to drive. The IWM's collection isn't as significant as the other two, but it's much better displayed.
Hope that's some help, have a blast!
Login
Register
FAQ
Search
