On August 9th we got up in a timely fashion, had caffeinated beverages, and headed to the tube station.
First we went to a Station but were told the train line to the north there was down and to go instead to King's Cross Station.
Arriving at King's Cross, saw some workers with vests emblazoned with Platform 9 3/4 of Harry Potter Fame:
We then purchase train tickets to go north to Cambridge.
After some hilarity figuring out how to open the train doors to actually get on the train, we were on our way.
We got off at Cambridge station and then took another train to Whittlesford and walked from there to Duxford.
First it was time for some vittles to get energy so we stopped at The Plough, a pub that has been in operation since at least 1851.
I had a steak and ale pie, and a good Tiger Copper Ale.
The service was delightful and personal, the food awesome, and the beer excellent. If you're in Duxford be sure to go to the Plough.
Thus fortified, we walked on to IWM Duxford.
IWM stands for Imperial War Museum. Duxifrd is the site of an airfield first established during World War One. In World War Two in addition to serving the British, it served as an American bomber base.
So yes, there are aircraft. Several buildings full of aircraft.
Upon entry the first exhibit you see is a fragment of the BF-110E that Rudolf Hess flew to Scotland in his attempt to make a peace treaty between Nazi Germany and Great Britain in 1941. The overture was not well-received.
Quite a piece of history, that.
Then on to the next room, which had some planes that were being temporarily kept as they were being worked on.
This included the most sci-fi looking bomber of the nuclear age, the Handley Page Victor.
The plane has the insignia of RAF Marham, where it was based, on it's side.
It's an amazing aircraft to see up close.
There's a variety of other aircraft in the room including a Scottish Aviation Bulldog T.1 Trainer.
Never seen either of these planes in person before.
On to the next room we went.
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