A day out looking at aircraft
Poll: A day out looking at aircraft
Total Members Polled: 15
Discussion
For just a general day out Duxford has more movements plus a lot more to see aviation wise, have a look at the Duxford diarys to see what a day could look like
https://forums.airshows.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=9126...
However for airshows there is no finer venue in the UK than Old Warden, I havent been inside to a Duxford airshow since 2013, it’s a deeply unpleasant venue for airshows
https://forums.airshows.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=9126...
However for airshows there is no finer venue in the UK than Old Warden, I havent been inside to a Duxford airshow since 2013, it’s a deeply unpleasant venue for airshows
Duxford has the most wow factor to the average Joe, but is huge. Airshows can be a crush. If you prefer a more intimate atmosphere and are more interested in older aeroplanes Shuttleworth is for you, especially on a flying day.
On a smaller scale still, the de Havilland Museum is also worth a visit
On a smaller scale still, the de Havilland Museum is also worth a visit
Edited by Simpo Two on Saturday 14th June 12:58
RAF Cosford. https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/midlands/ A great day out and free (if you ignore the charge for parking) not much flying though unless its for the airshow.
My advice would be just do both, surely it’s not strictly one or the other?
I’m retired (early) and go to Duxford during the week when the pesky schools have the kids imprisoned.
I’ve been told that flying aircraft that live at Duxford pay a low rent for hangarage on the condition that they fly a few hours per year. In good weather there’ll probably be lots of activity with Spitfire passenger rides for example.
The Shuttleworth Collection is beautiful.
I’ve not paid to go to a Duxford airshow for over ten years as I think they’re an expensive yawnfest, but if you’ve never been to one, they’re worth at least one visit, but you have to book well ahead.
I’ve not been to an airshow at the Shuttleworth/Old Warden.
I’m retired (early) and go to Duxford during the week when the pesky schools have the kids imprisoned.
I’ve been told that flying aircraft that live at Duxford pay a low rent for hangarage on the condition that they fly a few hours per year. In good weather there’ll probably be lots of activity with Spitfire passenger rides for example.
The Shuttleworth Collection is beautiful.
I’ve not paid to go to a Duxford airshow for over ten years as I think they’re an expensive yawnfest, but if you’ve never been to one, they’re worth at least one visit, but you have to book well ahead.
I’ve not been to an airshow at the Shuttleworth/Old Warden.
They are both good, but very different.
Duxford is huge, has amazing range of aircraft on display. But very much big museum format. Slick..
Shuttleworth is small, but perfectly formed. Some unique exhibits with more of an amateur feel.
Airshow at Duxford is like seeing a band at a stadium gig. Vast and impressive but remote.
Airshow at Shuttleworth is more intimate. Like a club gig where you are feet from the band while they play, and might get to chat to them at the bar afterwards.
I have enjoyed both over the years, but Shuttleworth is my favourite these days. On a sunny summer day I can think of few more agreeable ways to pass the time.
Duxford is huge, has amazing range of aircraft on display. But very much big museum format. Slick..
Shuttleworth is small, but perfectly formed. Some unique exhibits with more of an amateur feel.
Airshow at Duxford is like seeing a band at a stadium gig. Vast and impressive but remote.
Airshow at Shuttleworth is more intimate. Like a club gig where you are feet from the band while they play, and might get to chat to them at the bar afterwards.
I have enjoyed both over the years, but Shuttleworth is my favourite these days. On a sunny summer day I can think of few more agreeable ways to pass the time.
WyrleyD said:
At Shuttleworth you've got the Swiss Garden to stroll around too, it was once the private garden of the Shuttleworth family, the prices in the cafe can be on the high side with £7 for a dry scone with a single pat of butter and a tiny jam.
£5 according to the current menu: https://www.shuttleworth.org/wp-content/uploads/20...(we were there a few weekends ago)
Be warned that Duxford is under a lot of work the British hangar is very second string and the tank area is closed, no money off which I thought a bit of a piss take, but the rest of it is open, other than the "work" hangar which seems to be closed.
Bear in mind it is quite dear at 30 odd quid, I would recommend Cosford or Hendon far more free to get in and Hendon certainly recently refreshed, I wish I had gone there this week.
Bear in mind it is quite dear at 30 odd quid, I would recommend Cosford or Hendon far more free to get in and Hendon certainly recently refreshed, I wish I had gone there this week.
bergclimber34 said:
Be warned that Duxford is under a lot of work the British hangar is very second string and the tank area is closed, no money off which I thought a bit of a piss take, but the rest of it is open, other than the "work" hangar which seems to be closed.
Bear in mind it is quite dear at 30 odd quid, I would recommend Cosford or Hendon far more free to get in and Hendon certainly recently refreshed, I wish I had gone there this week.
Two minutes on the Duxford website makes it clear that the site is in a bit of turmoil. Bear in mind it is quite dear at 30 odd quid, I would recommend Cosford or Hendon far more free to get in and Hendon certainly recently refreshed, I wish I had gone there this week.
British hangar AirSpace?
Work hangar Restoration hangar?
Yes, entry to Duxford is pricey, but whenever I ve taken people, we ve run out of time and not seen anywhere near everything.
At Hendon, it s a very very different experience. No airfield so no airfield activity. No airworthy flyers, so no looking at warbirds that are still in regular use. Hendon is a bit shiny shiny.
Also, take into account that Duxford has to be able to finance itself in order to receive any extra funding. The current turmoil is due to management trying to make the whole site appeal to a wider audience, and have some sort of logical sequence to the hangars and their contents. Frustrating, but it has to be done.
On a side note, the ex-Flixton Sea Harrier has been assembled at Duxford.
Edited by Tony1963 on Sunday 15th June 17:09
Edited by Tony1963 on Monday 16th June 08:51
Another option would be Manchester Airport.
There's the Runway Visitor Park on the north side if the field - it has a smallish collection of historic aircraft and good closeup views of aircraft taxiing to and from the runways. They have a cafe too. There's also a pub at the north of the field which has a good view of landing aircraft or sometimes those taxiing to takeoff (depending on the wind direction).
There's the Runway Visitor Park on the north side if the field - it has a smallish collection of historic aircraft and good closeup views of aircraft taxiing to and from the runways. They have a cafe too. There's also a pub at the north of the field which has a good view of landing aircraft or sometimes those taxiing to takeoff (depending on the wind direction).
For an aircraft nerd museum - rather than a family day out type one - I'd heartily recommend the Ulster Aviation Society museum at Lisburn (right next to the Maze prison).
You're even allowed to get into some of the exhibits if you're agile enough (I tried out the Phantom, Swift and Tornado but sadly ran out of time to try more).
You're even allowed to get into some of the exhibits if you're agile enough (I tried out the Phantom, Swift and Tornado but sadly ran out of time to try more).
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