Summer Holiday Activities at IWM Duxford

This summer, families can immerse themselves in IWM Duxford’s 100-year history by hearing personal stories of the men and women who worked and lived at this famous airfield, told through DX17, Duxford’s first ever contemporary art installation.

During August, visitors can also get up close to IWM Duxford’s iconic Lancaster bomber aircraft and discover the vital role it played in the Second World War.

Many of the aircraft that took part in the epic new film Dunkirk are based at IWM Duxford – you may be able to see them on public display, or even take to the skies, during the summer holidays.  IWM Duxford’s Supermarine Spitfire Mark I N3200 is a veteran of the Dunkirk campaign.  It was flown out of Duxford by Squadron Leader Geoffrey D Stephenson on its first and only operation, leading No.19 Squadron on an Offensive Patrol during Operation Dynamo, protecting the evacuation of the British Army at Dunkirk. After shooting down a Junkers JU 87 Stuka Dive Bomber, the Spitfire crash-landed on the sand at Sangatte, near Calais. It was recovered in 1986, returned to the UK in 2000 and has been on public display at IWM Duxford since 2015.

DX17  - Duxford’s Centenary Sound Sculpture - Daily until 30 September - Hangar Base

Discover DX17, an immersive sound and light experience which enables visitors to hear sounds and memories from Duxford’s remarkable 100-year history.

Enter a darkened enclosure to the strains of a cinematic soundscape. As an atmospheric light show begins, a dramatic large-scale sculpture is revealed, similar in size to a Spitfire but futuristic and aerodynamic in shape. 

Holding a receiver in the palm of one hand, visitors scan the device over the surface of the sculpture and magically transform points of light into sound.  100 bright lights are emitted by the sculpture, each representing one of 100 discoverable memories, sounds or songs that are all integrally linked to Duxford’s past.  Sounds featured in the soundscape include Morse code messages that reference the sculpture’s name, fragments of music that would have been heard at RAF Duxford in the 1940s and 1950s and original recordings of a Duxford-based Spitfire performing a high speed manoeuvre, captured especially for this project.

DX17 has been created by Nick Ryan, an award-winning composer, sound designer, artist and audio specialist. It is included in general admission to IWM Duxford and can be experienced daily until Saturday 30 September.

The Lancaster Experience - Tuesdays and Thursdays in August - Talks at 11am; aircraft viewing 11am to 3.30pm - AirSpace exhibition

On Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout August, families will be given the opportunity to step inside  IWM Duxford’s Avro Lancaster bomber and discover how this formidable aircraft played a major role in the Second World War.

Standing next to the aircraft in AirSpace, visitors can take in the awesome size of the Lancaster and imagine the seven-men crew crammed into its compact interior in what was arguably one of the most challenging and dangerous situations of the Second World War.

Lancaster Interactive Sessions every Wednesday in August - 11.30am, 12.15pm and 1.15pm - AirSpace exhibition

Each Wednesday throughout August a historic interpreter, dressed as a member of Bomber Command, will present three interactive sessions all about the legendary Lancaster bomber.  The sessions will last for approximately 20 minutes each.

11.30am - Visitors will be led on a walk around the Avro Lancaster which famously reached the highest altitude and carried the greatest large-bomb load of any Second World War bomber aircraft. Over 7,000 Lancasters were built during wartime and IWM Duxford’s is one of only a few survivors in the world today.  Visitors can find out about both the crew who flew in the aircraft and the ground crew who kept them in the air.

12.15pm - Hear about the feats of valour undertaken by some of the men who flew in Lancaster bombers during the Second World War. Visitors will discover the stories of Victoria Cross winners including Norman Jackson VC, who climbed out onto the wing of his Lancaster, mid-flight, to try to extinguish an engine fire.

1.15pm - The famous story of 617 Squadron and the Dambusters raid is told. Find out about the crew that took part in this remarkable mission. See an original bouncing bomb and find out about the scientist who invented it.