Imperial War Museum Duxford
Shows to Commemorate 90th Anniversary of the End of World War I
The Imperial War Museum at Duxford is planning several air shows and events during 2008 to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the end of the First World War.
Duxford started life as an airfield during World War I and was still in use during World War II. The site was chosen by the Imperial War Museum to house their vast collection of military items and has become Britain's most important museum of aviation recently winning the Large Visitor Attraction of the Year Award. Many of the planes in its collection are still capable of flight. Duxford is also the location for the American Air Museum established as a memorial to the 30,000 American airmen who died during World War II while flying out of UK bases.
2008 marks the 90th anniversary of the end of the First World War and to commemorate that anniversary a number of air shows and special events are planned at Duxford during 2008.
- Spring Air Show - Sunday 18 May 2008. This is the first air show of the year and will feature modern jets in exciting displays of speed as well as classics like the Spitfire.
- Remembering RAF Duxford - Sunday 1 June 2008. Imperial War Museum Duxford was founded in 1918 and to celebrate its 90th birthday a programme of talks and activities are planned. These will look at the airfield's development from its early days during World War I to its current position as Britain's, and indeed Europe's, most important museum of flight.
- Commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift - Saturday 21 June 2008. To mark the 60th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift veterans who took part in this historic event will be invited to relate their experiences. This is certain to be a nostalgic day. Five of the aircraft types that were involved in the airlift are kept at Imperial War Museum Duxford and these will be available for viewing. The exhibition hall is crammed full to capacity.
- Duxford 2008 Air Show - Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 September 2008. This is another display to commemorate the 90th birthday of Imperial War Museum Duxford. It is one of the most exciting air shows offering three hours of non-stop flying. The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, the Spitfire and some of the fastest jets will take part in the display.
- Autumn Air Show - Sunday 5 October 2008. Visitors to the Autumn Air Show will be treated to an incredible display by popular aircraft. This is the final air show for 2008.
Details of all air shows and events can be obtained from the Imperial War Museum Duxford.
In addition to its centre at Duxford the Imperial War Museum has four other branches including:
- Imperial War Museum London
- Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms which are located below Whitehall
- HMS Belfast, the Second World War cruiser located on the River Thames
- Imperial War Museum North located in Manchester
