1) What do you like most about Duxford?
the ability to be able to walk around a famoust Battle of Britain Airfield and see aircraft that were based there being restored and flown, it isnt a dead museum its alive!
2) What do you dislike most about Duxford?
The fact that aircraft appear to be left outside to rot after being restored. I’m not just taling about the Victor and Shackleton but now the Draken is getting a bit tatty as well. Other than that there isnt much to actually dislike apart from the 2 hour drive to get there.
3) What makes you return to Duxford? (When time and distance allows of course!)
Airshows and to view the progress on the restorations in Hangar 2 and the Conservation Hangar, its also a really nice place to spend a summers day (Not as good as Old Warden you understand 🙂 )
4) What do we get right at Duxford?
The staff are always friendly and approachable on non show days (rarely have the time to talk on show days), it hasnt lost too much of the WW2 atmosphere with the new developments.
5) What do we get wrong?
Apart from hanging aircraft from ceilings! The AAM is a poor design and everything is too crammed in. Other than that not much totally wrong.
6) What changes or improvements would you like to see made at Duxford?
More could be done to enhance the wartime character of the buildings, at the moment most of the emphasis is on the new developments at either end and less done to show the WW2 airfield architecture. Maybe tannoy announcements of impending aircraft movements. And maybe a compromise with the relocation of the display centreline over the AAM, IMHO its too far east. Possibly mid way between the tower and the AAM?
7) Should we put on more airshows? Or fewer? Quantity or quality – for example have fewer airshows with longer displays?
The number of airshows is about right, if the flying started much earlier then we photographers would spend the early part of the display shooting into the sun. A few more “imported” aircraft would be nice (rather than based ones) at the smaller shows. Catering prices on Airshow days are getting a bit silly. Maybe staggering the press access to the flightline walk so that when the majority of the public are in then the press arent walking around the aircraft. Re-enactors and engineers are fine, Engineers ahev a very improtant job to do and reenactors add atmosphere. Its TV people with cameras in shot that can annoy sometimes. They have their job to do I think it would be better for everyone if they can do it when the majority of the public arent trying to get shots. If it stays the same then its not a big problem, but you did ask!
Drag some of the staic indoor aircraft out into the open more often for shows and/or special events. When will we see the Javelin outside in the sunshine.
8) If sometimes you are accompanied to Duxford by family or friends who are not particularly interested in aircraft, do they leave feeling they have at least had an interesting day out, or do they think that Duxford is for enthusiasts only?
Mrs fence tolerates my hobby bless her. She likes a nice place to sit and read her books. On a sunny day she is happy on a rainy day less so.
9) How do you rate the catering outlets at Duxford? Expensive or good value for money? Enough variety?
Go to Fantasy of Flight, see how Kermit runs the catering there. Copy it!
Duxford catering is good old enlglish cosy cafe catering, which is great but can be improved upon. Its also a bit on the pricey side but it could be worse. As I said before, on Airshow days the prices are getting silly.
10) How do you rate the Museum shop? Is it well stocked for enthusiasts with something new to catch your interest each time you visit? What in your opinion could we sell that we don’t already?
I used to like the shop in the old Superhangar, I liked roaming around the book section. The new one seems a bit soulless. Maybe add another perhaps more 1040’s style shop midway between the AAM and the Entrance.
I hope these help.
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