I’ll have a go at what I can on this. It has been many years since I was fortunate to visit in person, so I cannot answer some questions. I hoe my small contribution is of some use to you.

The questions:

1) What do you like most about Duxford?

For me it is the most famous airfield in the world, and to walk around the same hangars, buildings and aprons that were once hallowed by people like Douglas Bader, Keith Park, and Kenneth Moore, Michael Bates and Susanna York, right up to the modern Duxford heroes like Ray Hanna and Stephen Grey, I found my experience there an incredibly worthwhile journey. It was seeing Battle of Britain and reading further on the film that lead me to discover Duxford, then I got hooked on FlyPast in 1990 and the name Duxford became embedded in my psyche. I had to make a pilgrimage to the place, succeededing in 1993.

2) What do you dislike most about Duxford?

What’s not to like? except it’s too far away for me to visit.

3) What makes you return to Duxford? (When time and distance allows of course!)

I’ve only been once but I shall return someday, it has a magnetic pull for me that will always be there, it is hallowed ground – one of those places that once you’ve left you always want to return becuase you’ll see something new every time. Plus all the photos on here almost daily make me really want to go back and see the place again. And I know nowadays that if I do return I should be able to find some good company to show me around.

4) What do we get right at Duxford?

It has such an array of aircraft, on such a historic location and is known the world over. All the displays seemed to be displayed well in the various hangars, access was good, as was lighting, etc. And most of the planes were in good condition. I think it is great that rivate companies use the station too so many of the airfield’s planes still fly and regularly do displays. It’s a living museum.

5) What do we get wrong?

Nothing that I can think of, except I tend to agree with the argument often mentioned here that any new buildings should be constructed in keeping with the period of the war, rather than over-expensive archetectural mostrosities. I see some merits in the arty-farty buildings, but I think a place like Duxford would have much more charm if it had been kept looking fully authentic as a WWII station. I’m glad I went and saw it before the AAM was built.

6) What changes or improvements would you like to see made at Duxford?

Do you ever publish books, videos or DVD’s just about Duxford. as a place today? A souvenir of what the place is like, with some of its history added in. That would be good for people who’ve both visited or have never been there. If such was done, it’d need a regualr update and over time each edition adds to preserving the place’s hidtory. Just a random thought.

Here’s another daft idea. My silly suggestion some months back of Duxford displaying Madame Tussauds style dummies of the Battle of Brtain film cast seemed popular on here with some. I’d like to adjust the idea though, rather than film people, I think realistic dummies of famous airmen and women would be better – Keith Park, Bader, Al Deere, Leigh Mallory, Dowding, Malan, Johnnie Johnson, Guy Gibson, etc. Each could be displayed tastefully with an appropriate aircraft, etc, and maybe have a small plaque explaining to the public who these heroes were. Also do the likes of RJ Mitchell and Sydney Camm, etc. And US aces too, like Chuck Yeager, and Poles, Canadians, Aussies, Czechs, etc. Even some German aces like Galland and Rall could be included.

They’d be great educational tools, especially if you gave kids brochures that tell the story of each man or woman and they can seek each one out round the museum. Great for school visits, etc. They’d also be an attraction for visitors to be photographed beside their heroes, like people do at Tussauds. I know Tussauds works with some museums to present such displays, maybe they could be brought onboard?

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?

I went with a chap who was not into aircraft but he thoroughly enjoyed the day. He was an architecture student and he was fascinated by the architecture of your hangars, something I’d never thought of. He liked the rest of the museum too of course.

I hope this helps.

Cheers Mark.

Isn’t it interesting how when Mother Teresa died, her funeral was overshadowed by the death the same week of Princess Diana causing clashes for some world leaders who wanted to be in both places – now Charles’ wedding is overshadowed by the death of the Pope for the same reason. Wierd how things turn out.

I heard when I was in the RNZAF that a standard sized Hercules held the record of about 320 people and their goats and chickens in an evac mission somewhere in Africa. Of course it may have been just hearsay. I doubt it flew very far.

Cheers Arm Waver, sounds like good news.

Is Brooklands a ‘national’ museum, ie public owned? Or is it privately owned? I notice they have a lot of significent airframes outdoors – Duxford and other sites get it in the neck from many on this board for that, do people feel the same about Brooklands keeping planes outside? Or are they much better cared for? Surely it’d be cheaper in the long run to build a big hangar and put them under cover than to keep painting and maintaining airframes?

Looks like a great museum, I’ve only seen it at a distance from the train.