A good question. If Duxford became “just” an IWM location with static exhibits ~ I would visit it about as often as I go to the RAF Museum at Hendon. Which is approx. once every 5 years.

The co-existence at Duxford of the IWM with active warbird operators means that even at this time of year there are things going on in the hangers.

Ongoing winter maintenance of Sally B / TFC / OFMC / Blenheim etc in the public gaze are a good reason to make repeat visits outside the airshow season. ( An excellent reason to be a Friend of Duxford ).

It’s because things are always happening at Duxford outside those organised as “events” by the IWM that any visit can be a day to remember. All of this would be lost if the warbird operators were to move out.

How many visits have I made to Duxford so far this year ? Four ……

I’ve put some of my pix taken from the other end of the airfield on my FB page

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.596878060322938.1073741857.386907504653329&type=1

Image digitization – a subject often discussed over coffee in the café at DX …… It would be well worth a chat with DCW and Duxman – you might even be able to have DCW add you to the list of people who want stuff scanned by him :diablo:

We’ve just got home from a brilliant trip to the de Havilland Aircraft Museum’s Easter sale. I’ve added some great titles to cherish in my book library today. In fact – I needed help from one of the museum staff in carrying it all to the car !

Many thanks to all the staff and volunteers for the warm welcome and laying on the event this weekend.

For those who couldn’t make it today – there’s another opportunity to go tomorrow ! 🙂

Bruce – what time does the event start on Easter Sunday ? 🙂

I would hope we would all migrate to a brand new Flypast Forum on Facebook …..

It would be so much easier to share images and post news snippets whilst on the move …… 🙂

For example from yesterday ….. Spitfire T.9 – SM520 is currently doing compass swings at Duxford – DCW will be posting a comprehensive photo report later today.

This was the Wapiti ~ as seen back in Feb 2005.

I’m sure to some of of us it might see to leave a lot to be desired but just to put things in perspective ~ a tour of the museum hangar was conducted by an airman escort who’s income over 10 years would be less than the cost of the camera I was using.

I’ve posted a few of my snaps from today in an album on FB 🙂

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.535924596418285.126172.386907504653329&type=1#!/media/set/?set=a.535924596418285.126172.386907504653329&type=1

The airframe is being carefully reassembled so it can be weighed in order that accurate new stress calculations can be performed for it’s return to IWM Lambeth.

If you take a look at the IWM Lambeth Regeneration blog ~ you’ll see how it’s envisioned to display the Spitfire in the future.

http://blogs.iwm.org.uk/transforming-iwm-london/2012/12/what-a-job/#more.