RAF Duxford

RAF Duxford. A former Royal Air Force station located in Cambridgeshire, England, with a storied history spanning both world wars and a celebrated post-military life as a world-renowned aviation museum. Opened in 1918, it played a pivotal role as a Fighter Command airfield during the Battle of Britain and later as a base for the United States Army Air Forces. Following its closure in 1961, the site was preserved and now forms the Imperial War Museum Duxford, one of Europe's premier collections of historic aircraft and vehicles.

History

Construction began in 1917 under the supervision of the Royal Flying Corps, with the airfield becoming operational just as the newly formed Royal Air Force was established in 1918. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, it was home to several prestigious RAF squadrons, including No. 19 Squadron RAF and No. 111 Squadron RAF, which were among the first to be equipped with the revolutionary Supermarine Spitfire. The station's infrastructure was significantly upgraded during this period, with the construction of iconic Type C hangars and improved runways to accommodate the new generation of monoplane fighters. Its strategic location in East Anglia made it a key sector station within RAF Fighter Command's defensive network, a role that would define its importance in the coming conflict.

Role in the Second World War

During the Second World War, the station was a crucial frontline base. Squadrons based here, such as No. 242 Squadron RAF led by the legendary Douglas Bader, saw intense action during the Battle of France and the subsequent Battle of Britain. In 1943, the airfield was transferred to the United States Army Air Forces and became RAF Station 357 under the Eighth Air Force. It housed the 78th Fighter Group, flying Republic P-47 Thunderbolt and later North American P-51 Mustang aircraft, tasked with escorting Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress bombers on daylight raids over Nazi Germany. The station also served as a launch point for fighters supporting Operation Overlord during the Normandy landings.

Post-war use and preservation

After the war, RAF Fighter Command resumed control, with the station hosting Gloster Meteor jet fighters during the early Cold War. However, its short runways were unsuitable for newer aircraft like the Hawker Hunter, leading to its operational closure in 1961. Facing potential demolition, the site was saved in 1977 when the Imperial War Museum acquired it. This marked the beginning of its transformation, with historic buildings like the Battle of Britain Operations room being meticulously restored. The museum's growth was significantly aided by the Duxford Aviation Society and support from figures like Prince Charles.

Duxford in film and media

The airfield's historic ambiance and preserved facilities have made it a popular location for film and television production. It featured prominently in the 1969 epic Battle of Britain (film), starring Michael Caine and Laurence Olivier. More recently, it served as a setting for scenes in Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk (2017 film) and the biographical drama Darkest Hour (film). The site has also been used for documentaries by the BBC and Channel 4, and hosts the popular television series Air Crash Investigation for its aviation-themed segments.

Museum and collections

Today, the site operates as the Imperial War Museum Duxford, one of the largest aviation museums in Europe. Its collections are housed in original wartime buildings and modern structures like the American Air Museum. Highlights include a comprehensive fleet of historic British aircraft such as the Avro Lancaster and the de Havilland Mosquito, alongside iconic American warbirds like the Consolidated B-24 Liberator. The museum also features major exhibits on land warfare with the Tank Museum collection, and hosts the world-famous Duxford Air Show, which attracts performers like the Red Arrows and historic aircraft from the Shuttleworth Collection.

Category:Royal Air Force stations in Cambridgeshire Category:Imperial War Museum Category:Battle of Britain