The Lancaster Experience will be available to visitors during October half term. This is a rare opportunity to peer inside one of Britain’s most iconic Second World War bombers and hear amazing stories about the men who flew and fought in this type of aircraft.
Explore the recently transformed American Air Museum and follow the story of Anglo-American collaboration in twentieth and twenty-first century conflicts through the historic objects and fascinating personal stories on display.
See the Whale, a crucial section of floating roadway that aided the success of the D-Day invasion, located next to Land Warfare.
The Lancaster Experience
Daily from Saturday 22 to Sunday 30 October
The Lancaster will open from 11.30am to 3.30pm
Interpretative sessions are at 11am each day, lasting approximately 30 minutes
AirSpace exhibition
During October half term, hear amazing stories about the members of Bomber Command as you peer into the legendary Lancaster Bomber.
Drawing from personal stories of the men who flew and fought in this aircraft, The Lancaster Experience offers an insight into the dangerous and difficult conditions endured during wartime missions.
Each day at 11am, there will also be an engaging talk by a historic interpreter. Visitors will be able to hear all about the development of this legendary bomber, the role each crew member played in Bomber Command and the specific history behind IWM Duxford’s own Avro Lancaster.
One of the stories visitors will hear about is that of Andrew ‘Andy’ Charles Mynarski, a Pilot Officer of 419 Squadron who was awarded a Victoria Cross. During his thirteenth mission in a Lancaster, Andy’s crew was hit by cannon shells from a German aircraft. As Andy was about to abandon the aircraft, he noticed that his fellow crew member, Pat Bophy, was trapped inside his turret. Risking his own life, Andy crawled through burning liquid to try and rescue him. Unable to free Pat from the turret, Andy had to abandon the aircraft, as well as his comrade. As the aircraft crashed, Pat was flung clear of the debris and survived unscathed. Sadly, Andy’s attempt to save his friend lost him his life. He was the only member of the crew not to have survived the attack.
Explore the newly transformed American Air Museum
Explore the best collection of American aircraft on display outside North America in the recently transformed American Air Museum.
From Private to President, the new American Air Museum exhibition follows the amazing personal stories of people whose lives have shaped, and been shaped by, war and conflict during this period.
The Whale
Come and see a symbol of true British innovation and engineering prowess located next to Land Warfare at IWM Duxford.
As part of Mulberry Harbour B, the Whale was a crucial section of floating roadway that enabled troops, vehicles and supplies to reach the Allies on the beaches of Normandy, after the D-Day invasion, 6 June 1944.
The Whale is only object of its kind in the UK and has a direct, tangible connection with this pivotal moment in world history.