Duxford IWM/DAS exhibit arrivals

This is a good site, with galleries from every decade from the 50s!

http://www.duxford-update.info/early-dx/earlydxmain.htm

By memory i’m guessing the Shack and Sea Vixen were the first arrivals by air. The Comet 4 being the first airliner to arrive by air, and the first exhibit for the DAS.

Rob

What were the first IWM and DAS aircraft to arrive, and when did the IWM form/open at Duxford? I’m guessing soon after the Battle of Britain film was made?

Certanly at least 4 years later, after 1972, I presume because of the state of the airfield, when those marvellous pictures on the AIX thread Pagen01 posted, were taken….

What were the first IWM and DAS aircraft to arrive, and when did the IWM form/open at Duxford? I’m guessing soon after the Battle of Britain film was made?

Thanks Dragon Rapide. At that time only part of Meteor WK991 was displayed at Lambeth (rear fuselage?) and I am sure that the article said that the rest of the Meteor was stored along with the two Beagle aiframes but it does seem that XF708 didn’t get to Barking – just goes to show you can’t always believe what you read in magazines.

Thanks Dragon Rapide. At that time only part of Meteor WK991 was displayed at Lambeth (rear fuselage?) and I am sure that the article said that the rest of the Meteor was stored along with the two Beagle aiframes but it does seem that XF708 didn’t get to Barking – just goes to show you can’t always believe what you read in magazines.

I believe the IWM did move the Pup and the B.206 prototype G-ARRM (I think!) to Duxford in the very early days of the Museum’s existance there, when the IWM was leasing Building 78 (Hangar 5). I have a vague recollection of seeing them listed on an early inventory. I saw the Pup at Shoreham years later, and I think the 206 as well. Last I heard of the Pup was 10-15 years ago when the late John Chillingworth (Hunter guru and Pup fanatic) acquired it and offered me the chance to help with the restoration to flying condition. Sadly this didn’t progress much as his health began to deteriorate.

I believe the IWM did move the Pup and the B.206 prototype G-ARRM (I think!) to Duxford in the very early days of the Museum’s existance there, when the IWM was leasing Building 78 (Hangar 5). I have a vague recollection of seeing them listed on an early inventory. I saw the Pup at Shoreham years later, and I think the 206 as well. Last I heard of the Pup was 10-15 years ago when the late John Chillingworth (Hunter guru and Pup fanatic) acquired it and offered me the chance to help with the restoration to flying condition. Sadly this didn’t progress much as his health began to deteriorate.

I suspect that it was maybe intended for store, XF708 was definitely flown direct Kemble Duxford on the 22 August ’72, I seem to remember an article by one of the crew about how pleased they were that it was now in the safe hands of the IWM as a flying exhibit!
I was under the impression that it has been on public display ever since, being a long term resident of the site, but maybe someone else knows better on that.

Javelin arrivals pics here, http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=108644, thanks to Wyvernfan!

I suspect that it was maybe intended for store, XF708 was definitely flown direct Kemble Duxford on the 22 August ’72, I seem to remember an article by one of the crew about how pleased they were that it was now in the safe hands of the IWM as a flying exhibit!
I was under the impression that it has been on public display ever since, being a long term resident of the site, but maybe someone else knows better on that.

Javelin arrivals pics here, http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=108644, thanks to Wyvernfan!

Hi WJ244, I’m wondering if you’re thinking of XF703 that was kept at the RAFM store at Henlow before being scrapped in 1975?

I remember reading an article in an Aviation Mag probably Air Pictorial about the IWM store at Barking in Essex. It was probably when I was still at school so would be pre March 1973. As far as I remember the report claimed Shackleton XF708, Beagle Pup prototype G-AVDF and possibly one of the Beagle twins (don’t think it was a B.206) was kept there. I was surprised because Barking isn’t too far from me and I found it hard to envisage any space in a cramped Outer London borough like Barking for a store to hold a Shackleton. The article included photos and I am pretty sure it showed XF708 in one piece which seems even stranger as there was no airfield at Barking to take a Shack and it seems illogical to dismantle such a large aircraft and then reassemble it in a storage facility.
I don’t have any early copies of Wrecks and relics but maybe they would give a clue. It is possible that the article wasn’t entirely accurate and the plan was to send XF708 to Barking but the better option then became available to deliver by air to Duxford and that the photos of XF708 were taken at Kemble prior to delivery.
I know it was a long time ago but my memory of the article is still quite vivid and it would be good to know whether XF708 ever actually got there and also what happened to the other aircraft.

Hi WJ244, I’m wondering if you’re thinking of XF703 that was kept at the RAFM store at Henlow before being scrapped in 1975?

I remember reading an article in an Aviation Mag probably Air Pictorial about the IWM store at Barking in Essex. It was probably when I was still at school so would be pre March 1973. As far as I remember the report claimed Shackleton XF708, Beagle Pup prototype G-AVDF and possibly one of the Beagle twins (don’t think it was a B.206) was kept there. I was surprised because Barking isn’t too far from me and I found it hard to envisage any space in a cramped Outer London borough like Barking for a store to hold a Shackleton. The article included photos and I am pretty sure it showed XF708 in one piece which seems even stranger as there was no airfield at Barking to take a Shack and it seems illogical to dismantle such a large aircraft and then reassemble it in a storage facility.
I don’t have any early copies of Wrecks and relics but maybe they would give a clue. It is possible that the article wasn’t entirely accurate and the plan was to send XF708 to Barking but the better option then became available to deliver by air to Duxford and that the photos of XF708 were taken at Kemble prior to delivery.
I know it was a long time ago but my memory of the article is still quite vivid and it would be good to know whether XF708 ever actually got there and also what happened to the other aircraft.

Hi WJ244, as far as I’m aware XF708 was delivered by air into Duxford by an RAF crew from the MU at Kemble in Aug 1972 and has been displayed there ever since. It is the same Shack that forms the Shackleton at Duxford thread here somewhere.
I’m wondering if you’re thinking of XF703 that was kept at the RAFM store at Henlow before being scrapped in 1975?

Fantastic link Curlyboy, just what I was after. Nice to see types like the Trident arriving.
I have seen some nice shots of the Britannia arriving somewhere.
Hopefully the forum can throw up some more?

Hi WJ244, as far as I’m aware XF708 was delivered by air into Duxford by an RAF crew from the MU at Kemble in Aug 1972 and has been displayed there ever since. It is the same Shack that forms the Shackleton at Duxford thread here somewhere.
I’m wondering if you’re thinking of XF703 that was kept at the RAFM store at Henlow before being scrapped in 1975?

Fantastic link Curlyboy, just what I was after. Nice to see types like the Trident arriving.
I have seen some nice shots of the Britannia arriving somewhere.
Hopefully the forum can throw up some more?

Great link curlyboy.. lots of great memories. Good to see pics again of the Trident and Comet 4 arrivals as well as the more well known B29 and B52 etc.

Incidentally the Gannet AEW.3 at the 1975 airshow was XL502, now preserved at Elvington.

Was the attractive blue Fouga Magister G-BKSY once owned albeit briefly by Stephen Grey? I remember it flying only once at Dx!

Great link curlyboy.. lots of great memories. Good to see pics again of the Trident and Comet 4 arrivals as well as the more well known B29 and B52 etc.

Incidentally the Gannet AEW.3 at the 1975 airshow was XL502, now preserved at Elvington.

Was the attractive blue Fouga Magister G-BKSY once owned albeit briefly by Stephen Grey? I remember it flying only once at Dx!

I am a bit confused about the Shackleton.
From memory IWM held Shackleton XF708 at one time. Is this the one in the side hall in the aerospace hangar? If so I seem to remember reports of it being held in an IMW store at Barking, Essex at one time in which case it can’t have flown into Duxford.
I am sure the Barking store also held G-AVDF the Beagle Pup prototype – a strange aircraft for IWM to hold but where is that one now?

Try here on the link on the left hand side of the page entitled ‘Earlier days at Duxford’ you can see some of the arrivals.

http://www.duxford-update.info/

curlyboy

:)I went there on my old motorbike with a friend and his Dad to see the B29 land.I wish i had a camera with me and a better understanding of what i was witnessing.
My mate got knocked off his motorbike on the way home,he was alright but the bike as a bit bent.

Many thanks Pagen and Phil for sharing those.:)