Imperial War Museum Duxford presents a diverse and engaging range of events for 2011. From stunning air shows to elegant vintage cars; thrilling aerobatics to hands-on history, there is something at Europe’s leading aviation museum to suit all tastes, interests and ages.

Highlights of the season include: 

Spring Car Show

Sunday 1 May

Imperial War Museum Duxford is the place to be for all car enthusiasts on Sunday 1 May, when the museum plays host to hundreds of stunning classic and contemporary vehicles.

A fun Bank Holiday Sunday outing, Spring Car Show gives visitors the opportunity to get up close to the iconic cars on display and to talk to their owners. Even better, there is no extra cost for this event. Standard admission to Imperial War Museum Duxford applies. Children aged 15 or under go free when accompanied by an adult. Please note that inclement weather may affect the numbers of classic cars attending the event. 

Spring Air Show

Celebrating Women in Aviation

Sunday 22 May

Women have always played an integral role in the development of aviation, from the pioneering days of early flight to today’s sophisticated air power. The Spring Air Show celebrates the achievements of women in aviation – from technological development to daring aerial aptitude. All flying is subject to weather, serviceability and operational commitments. 

The Duxford Trophy

Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 May

Visitors can see some spectacular aerobatic flying as the very best British pilots compete for the Duxford Trophy. Pilots taking part in this competition are flying at the very highest competing levels, Advanced and Unlimited. Come and experience the adrenalin and excitement of competition aerobatics at IWM Duxford and see the winning pilot claim the Duxford Trophy at Europe’s leading aviation museum. All flying is subject to weather and serviceability 

Military Vehicle Show

Sunday 19 June

Enjoy the excitement, power and thrill of the Military Vehicle Show – the perfect way to celebrate Father’s Day. Experience the sheer power of some of the biggest Second World War tanks alongside quirky smaller vehicles such as jeeps and 1940s ambulances.

Visitors can get up close to vehicles normally on static display in Land Warfare and can see military vehicles in action as they take part in a cavalcade along Duxford’s runway. An adventurous day out for all the family! Even better, there is no extra cost for this event. Standard admission to Imperial War Museum Duxford applies. Children aged 15 or under go free when accompanied by an adult. 

Flying Legends

Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 July

Flying Legends – two words which instantly evoke the very best of classic aircraft displaying at Duxford in one of the world’s most celebrated air shows. The Fighter Collection and the Imperial War Museum are proud to present the 2011 event; another unmissable fusion of power, sounds and nostalgia. All flying is subject to weather, serviceability and operational commitments. 

Sally B and Friends Day

Sunday 31 July

Sally B and Friends Day is a brand new event honouring B-17 Flying Fortress G-BEDF Sally B, currently the only B-17 flying in Europe. An informal, relaxed day, it will feature some fantastic flying, starring Sally B alongside a striking array of historic aircraft.

Visitors will have the opportunity to meet with and chat to Sally B’s engineering crew and pilots. A nostalgic 1940s US atmosphere can be enjoyed across the museum, with the instantly-recognisable strains of a Glenn Miller-style Big Band, Second World War re-enactments and many more activities. Join us for this evocative celebration of the legendary B-17 bomber at the historic airfield that was home to the United States Army Air Force during the latter half of the Second World War. Even better, there is no extra cost for this event. Standard admission to Imperial War Museum Duxford applies. Children aged 15 or under go free when accompanied by an adult. All flying is subject to weather, serviceability and operational commitments. 

Summer Car Show

Sunday 7 August

Set against the stunning backdrop of IWM Duxford, the Summer Car Show provides the perfect sunny Sunday outing. A spectacular range of cars from the halcyon days of motoring combine with the best modern classics to excite car enthusiasts of all ages and interests.

Visitors can get up close and personal to their favourite cars and talk to the owners. Take a peek at a remarkable range of automotive classics from the past and present.

New for 2011 – a special arena display for particularly rare and interesting cars, especially those with an interesting history or unusual role, accompanied by an experienced commentator. Timings and specific categories will be confirmed nearer the time.

Even better, there is no extra cost for this event. Standard admission to Imperial War Museum Duxford applies. Children aged 15 or under go free when accompanied by an adult.

Please note that inclement weather may affect the numbers of classic cars attending the event. 

American Air Day

Friday 19 August

This family-friendly day showcases the work of the United States Air Force in Europe and, in

particular, the Third Air Force, resident in the United Kingdom. Comprising a rich mix of flying and ground-based displays, American Air Day gives visitors the opportunity to engage with the Third Air Force and learn more about its varied and diverse roles.

This fantastic day acknowledges the historic link between Duxford and the United States Air Force that dates back to 1918 and is represented today by the stunning American Air Museum in Britain, Duxford’s award-winning US military aviation museum.

Even better, there is no extra cost for this event. Standard admission to Imperial War Museum Duxford applies. Children aged 15 or under go free when accompanied by an adult.

All flying is subject to weather, serviceability and operational commitments. 

The Duxford Air Show

75th anniversary of the Spitfire

Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 September

Enjoy the sight and sound of the celebrated British single-seat fighter aircraft in the year that marks the 75th anniversary of the Spitfire’s inaugural flight. The Spitfire was first seen by the public at the RAF Hendon Air Pageant in 1936 and only a few years later formed the backbone of RAF Fighter Command. IWM Duxford, the spiritual home of the Spitfire, celebrates the aircraft’s power and panache in a spectacular air display.

All flying is subject to weather, serviceability and operational commitments.

Showbus

Sunday 18 September

Hundreds of single and double-decker buses gather every year at Duxford for this unusual and fun event. Now a firm favourite on Duxford’s calendar, ShowBus, the world’s biggest bus rally, continues to provide colour, spectacle and nostalgia. Even better, there is no additional cost for this event. Standard admission to Imperial War Museum

Duxford applies. Children aged 15 or under go free when accompanied by an adult.

Please note that the number of buses attending this event may be affected by inclement weather. 

Autumn Air Show

Remembering the Korean War

Sunday 16 October

The Korean War was the first major conflict in which jet aircraft sought air superiority alongside the final-generation propeller-driven piston fighters. The Autumn Air Show pays homage to this uniquely international air battle, characterised by the contrast between the highly-developed piston engine and the first generation of jet aircraft. All flying is subject to weather, serviceability and operational commitments. 

Remembrance Sunday

Sunday 13 November

On Remembrance Sunday, Imperial War Museum Duxford will be holding a special service of remembrance. Admission to the Museum is free for all on this day and we very much hope that people will take this opportunity to explore IWM Duxford on the day when members of the Armed Forces, who have lost their lives in active service, are remembered. In addition to the Remembrance Service, activities will be hosted across the museum, encouraging

families to learn about remembrance together and to understand more about conflicts past and present. These events are simply the highlights of the forthcoming year at ImperialWar Museum Duxford. 

There is a packed programme of air shows, events, informal and formal learning programmes, new exhibitions and fun activities to suit the visiting family, history buff and aviation enthusiast alike – more detail on all events will be available throughout the year. 

Tickets for all events can be purchased online at www.iwm.org.uk/duxford  or by calling the box office on 01223 499 353.

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Source: Imperial War Museum press release