Ayup, I'm taking my four-year-old to Duxford for his first visit this weekend (that'll be fun in 'arctic' winds) Has anyone got any 'amazing facts' about the place that i can share with him? things that happened? planes that crashed? etc. he loves little details when he visits somewhere, i will however spare you his many photos on our return.....obsessed with guns in turrets....oh dear oh dear.... not sure if i've put this thread in the right place, sorry if that's the case.
Ayup, I'm taking my four-year-old to Duxford for his first visit this weekend (that'll be fun in 'arctic' winds) Has anyone got any 'amazing facts' about the place that i can share with him? things that happened? planes that crashed? etc. he loves little details when he visits somewhere, i will however spare you his many photos on our return.....obsessed with guns in turrets....oh dear oh dear.... not sure if i've put this thread in the right place, sorry if that's the case. try this http://duxford.iwm.org.uk/server/show/nav.00d008
much appreciated but we've been there , was hoping there'd be some tales of 'derring-do' to tell him, i know there's loads of people on here brimming with air war knowledge.
That's often the best way isn't it , i have a cousin who believed football pitch lines were sprayed from helicopters until her late 30's, she can thank my old man for that... "and this is where they kept the duxford spaceships..." (In the land Warfare hall however i shall bore him rigid with fact, that'll teach him for the inevitable argument in the shop).
As he is only four, he probably does not need too many facts or stories, just the chance to explore and absorb what is there.
As he is only four In that case, just read the notices at the various exhibits and then repeat them back to the kid to show him how much knowledge you have!
Angie don't you believe it! The child can play 'what side was that tank on' and At Cosford grabbed one of the old blokes that helps out there and made him tell him all about each and every plane, he's still annoyed about the Japanese suicide plane there and has decided that bombers are naughty 'cos they might bomb him but fighters are ok 'cos they fight each other.. detail is what he craves.. Morse, well of course i'll be doing that!
It's probably too late now, but. Duxford was the base for the first squadron (No. 19) to be equiped with Spitfires, for "Active" service. Before this, 19 squadron (at Duxford) was equiped with Gloster Gaunlets, these were the Last "OPEN" cockpit fighters to serve with the RAF. Douglas Bader was stationed there in 1940, he held the rank of Flying Officer at the time. In October 1942 the US 350th fighter Group arrived at Duxford. And the Airfield was Fully handed over to the American 8th AF in April 1943. It then became the headquaters of the 78th FG, and operated P-47's until Dec 1944 when the FG re-equiped with P-51's. The 78th hold the distinction of being the first 8th AF unit to shoot down a ME-262. Duxford was officially handed back to the RAF on Dec 1st 1945. The last operational squadron to be based at Duxford was No 64, operating Gloster Javelins. The last operational flight being in July 1961. The airfield was also used for the filming of the movie "Battle of Britain".
Thank you very much, Yes, we've been, but that's the kind of 'instant expert' guide i was after, i'm sure we'll go again...
Useful for any museum, but anything with guns is a bonus. When it's quiet and no-one is near who may report you to social services, tell the sprog that at night all of the exhibits come to life and they don't like humans that touch and prod them all day so they plan what they will do to them when they make a return visit. Then point out all of the guns/bombs/things with sharp edges and say you are sure he is such a good child who won't touch the exhibits,will you little Jonny? There's a good boy. That'll make him somewhat thoughtful for years. There will be some mental scarring, but this is the price to be paid for a quiet life. My brothers convinced me during thunderstorms the lightning was coming to get me. I now cook all of their meals, so revenge is only a saucepan away. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!
