Imperial War Museum Duxford
Today we went to the Imperial War Museum Duxford, an aircraft museum that hosts a collection of more than two hundred aircraft as well as an impressive assortment of tanks, boats and other military vehicles.
The museum sits at the edge of an airfield used during the First and Second World Wars. The airfield remains active and on any given day you might see a handful of historic aircraft take-off and land.
Since today was Remembrance Sunday, the museum waived the admission fee for everyone. Consequently, the place was mobbed. After fighting our way through the crowded entryway and gift shop, we decided it best to explore just one small corner of the museum.
We selected the exhibit in the AirSpace hanger. It’s the museum’s newest hanger (opened in 2007) and serves as a massive display case for some 30 iconic British aircraft.
As we wandered around the AirSpace hanger, I took note of the aircraft names. In most cases, the names were as fantastic as the design of the aircraft: BAC/Aerospatiale Concorde 101, Avro Vulcan B2, English Electric Lightning F1, Avro Lancaster MkX, Submarine Spitfire F24, Fairey Swordfish MkIII, de Havilland Comet 4, English Electric Canberra B2, Westland Lysander Mk IIIA, de Havilland Tiger Moth.
What I find amazing about flying machines is the countless designs that are possible. Every aircraft that flies is a variation on a theme. In the end, every airplane—from the simplest to the most complex—must operate within the confines of four basic forces: thrust, gravity, drag and lift. If the design ventures outside of the acceptable parameters, the contraption will not fly. Physics rules the skies.
Despite the overwhelming number of aircraft about the place, Duxford isn’t all about airplanes. One of my favorite non-flying machines at the museum was this motorbike, a 125-cc, 3-speed bike manufactured by Royal Enfield for use by British Airborne Forces during World War II. The bike is all crated up and ready to drop by parachute.
As closing time approached, we took one last lap around the hanger. We walked under BAC/Aerospatiale Concorde 101, wandered past the English Electric Lightning F1 and stopped for a moment to admire the Submarine Spitfire F24. Then, giving in to our aching legs and hunger pains, we decided finally it was time to head home.
Assortment
- South Loughton Valley Park
- Things have calmed down considerably since last week but I’m still trying to identify ways to better control my daily routine and in doing so protect the quality of my free time. The solution? Regular walks.
- Square Top Lake
- The colors are magnificent in Guanella Pass and the hike to Square Top Lake does not disappoint. The trail winds through alpine shrubs and rolling terrain with lovely wide-open views all around.
