Duxford's AAM aircraft out in the open ( pictures)

[Paul K]

With Duxford's American Air Museum building undergoing a major revamp, it has had to be emptied of exhibits. This has presented the opportunity to see and photograph the aircraft out in the open, while being moved to other locations on the airfield.

These first photos were taken by David Whitworth (DCW on the Key Forum), and posted by John Terrell ( Bomber_12th ) on the A2A forum. I've linked to John's Photobucket site, with his permission.






























The B-24, B-17 and SR-71 are now in the conservation area of the AirSpace building, along with the U-2C, Huey, T-33A, C-47, AT-6 and P-51' Etta Jean II'




I was down there over the weekend, with an old friend from my seafaring days, and I took a few pictures of my own. The B-52 has been towed out of the AAM while building work progresses, but they push her back in on airshow days ( such as last month's Flying Legends display ) so she doesn't take up spectator space.









The B-29 remains my favourite Duxford aircraft, however, and maybe my favourite aircraft of all time.









Sorry to ruin a perfectly good picture of a Superfortress, chaps, but while she is outside and you can fit her all into one photograph, I had to include myself for posterity. I just love this great plane and I wish we could always see her, and the other aircraft, from such a distance, instead of them being crammed into the over-stuffed AAM.




According to the latest Friends of Duxford newsletter, the aircraft will start going back into the AAM from the middle of this month, although it's not expected to reopen to the public until spring next year.

[DaveB]

It's lovely seeing them outside Thanks for posting Paul

ATB
DaveB

[Kevin Farnell]

Thanks Paul

Excellent photos - I love the SR-71.
I must pop down there, while they are outside - a not to be missed opportunity.

Cheers

Kevin

[Paul K]

It's lovely seeing them outside Thanks for posting Paul

ATB
DaveB

Cheers, Dave.

I must pop down there, while they are outside - a not to be missed opportunity.

Hi Kevin, the only aircraft outside 'permanently' so to speak is the B-29, as she's too big to fit in anywhere else. The B-52 is wheeled backwards out of the AAM as and when they need to. The rest are inside other hangars around the site - the ones as listed above in the AirSpace conservation area; the A-10, F-111, F-15, B-25 P-47, Stearman and Spad in the dedicated conservation hangar, and the Avenger and F4J in the Air and Sea hangar. Obviously they will have to be moved back along the airfield when the AAM work is done, but I don't know whether IWM will announce when thats going to happen. They really ought to, given the never-to-be-repeated photo opportunity.

[cstorey]

By a coincidence, just after seeing these splendid pics I came across a USAAF film I had never seen before ,( on the Nevil Shute website, quite why I don't know) about the end of the Pacific War and the part that amongst others Mustangs played . For those that like the sound of a Merlin, the footage from about 25 minutes on is both sensational and sobering

http://www.archive.org/details/TheLastBomb1945

[DaveB]

Hmm.. sobering indeed. Thanks for posting the link Chris

ATB
DaveB

[TobyV]

Silly question, but how did these arrive at Duxford? Did they fly in or were they shipped by road from some USAF base(s)? Did anything fly straight in from across the pond?

I did go round this once a long time ago when I was at University.

[DaveG]

I know the B52 flew in, there's video on YouTube somewhere. I assume it was a very short flight with minimum fuel, but impressive stuff.

edit: here you go: https://youtu.be/sSIGd6COFb8

edit2: the B29 arriving: https://youtu.be/qPgz3P8q1VM

[Paul K]

Along with the B-29 and B-52 other, smaller AAM aircraft such as the F-111 and A-10, were flown in. The Huey might also have arrived under it's own power, but not sure about that. The B-24 and SR-71 were definitely transported in, as were the rest of the AAM aircraft - except maybe the C-47 ? And the static B-17 formerly known as 'Mary Alice' ...how did that arrive at Dux ?

[Airspeed]

Great photos Paul, from you and your contacts!
Personally favour the B17G over the B29, but to each his own.
Good to put a face to your name