Thousands of visitors enjoyed a day of thrilling nostalgia on 28 July as IWM Duxford celebrated the iconic Supermarine Spitfire, the unmistakable Merlin engine and the golden age of motoring.
Thousands of visitors enjoyed a day of thrilling nostalgia on 28 July as IWM Duxford celebrated the iconic Supermarine Spitfire, the unmistakable Merlin engine and the golden age of motoring.
Visitors were able to get up-close to a number of Spitfires on display and have their burning questions answered by members of the Spitfire Society. They could also watch the Aircraft Restoration Company’s Spitfire Mark V and the Old Flying Machine Company’s Spitfire IX MH434 take off for air displays at Silverstone and land back later in the day.
Old Flying Machine Company’s Spitfire IX MH434 is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year and is also celebrating 30 years of being based at IWM Duxford. It also took to the skies in the afternoon as part of a series of Spitfire flying displays.
During the day Merlin engines were run in a dynamic display, and younger visitors could meet a range of costumed characters, including a Second World War ground crew, Squadron Leader, Sergeant Pilot and female Air Transport Auxiliary pilot. There was also the rare opportunity to sit in a Spitfire.
Glorious classic and contemporary cars gleamed in the summer sunshine, including a wonderful display of vintage Rolls-Royce cars. Burma Star veterans chatted to visitors about their wartime experiences in the Forgotten War exhibition in Land Warfare.
It was a fantastic day of iconic aircraft, wartime nostalgia, stunning motors and some fabulous flying!
