Consider the following as an in introduction: a B17G Flying Fortress; a B-29 Superfortress; a marvelous B-52 Stratofortress that flew into Duxford in 1983; an F-15 Eagle from the USAF; an RAF Mosquito; and an airplane that ushered in the true jet age for airline passengers, a British Comet; a superb German “terror of the skies” for allied air crews flying over occupied Europe – an FW 190, and a German ME-109; a Lockheed SR 71 Blackbird; a B-24 Liberator; and a classic C-47 Skytrain (a hugely popular variant being the famous DC-3); a nifty Hawker Hunter;  a De Haviland Sea Venom; a Harrier jump jet that saw active service in the Falklands war; a superb Avro Lancaster; a classic Short Sunderland flying boat. Wow, what a collection – and yes, of course several Spitfires; an American Lockheed Lightning; and the unique British Westland Lysander; and a BAC Concorde among many others.

Not all the aircraft are on the Flight Line. Many are either in one of the hangars, or come from private sources such as The Shuttleworth Collection, the Old Flying Machine Collection and the Duxford Aviation Society.

Of special interest to American visitors is the “American Museum,” the planning for which began in the mid-1980s. A world famous architect, Sir Norman Foster, was commissioned to design it, and it IS spectacular – indeed there were over 50,000 individual US subscribers to help with the funding, and it opened with much fanfare in September 1995. It is 61 feet high and 330 feet deep, dimensions being dictated by the need to accommodate the classic, and huge, B-52, along with the SR Blackbird and others in the same “unique category.”

If you’re into aviation virtually every aspect of Duxford will thrill you, but one of the things that I found especially fascinating, was the large number of workshops (many are the real WW2 hangars!) where skilled mechanics are restoring aircraft. History buffs will know that back in the dark days of the early 1940s, Duxford played a crucial role in the Battle of Britain when it was an RAF fighter base. It was also where the famous RAF Ace Douglas Bader was based – not only for his flying skills, but it was where he became known for the fact that even though he had no legs, the RAF still wanted him to fly as a fighter pilot, and so fitted him with artificial ones.

Later in the war the USAAF took over operations at Duxford culminating – in December 1944 – with Duxford being a USAAF P-51 Mustang fighter base. Sadly, by 1969, Duxford was no longer required as an active air force base, and closure seemed on the horizon. But then the IWM stepped in, and requested that some of some of its (stored) aircraft be placed there on as permanent basis. Over the years its aircraft collection grew and grew and by August 2005 Duxford welcomed its ten millionth IWM visitor!!!

There are numerous air shows throughout the year, and to learn more about every aspect of the place, Google it and type in “Duxford Aviation Museum” and you’ll see a long list of websites. Get your tickets online as well, as it saves time and money. There are rates for seniors (60 plus), kids, groups and students. If you’re in London, the fastest way to get there is a 45 minute ride in an express train from Kings Cross Station to Cambridge, and then either a bus or taxi to Duxford.

The post Duxford: The Most Fascinating WW2 Aviation Museum in Europe appeared first on Traveling Archive.

In November 1975, I was Manager of Publicity for Continental Airlines, in our corporate HQ at LAX. As a lifelong aviation aficionado, and an even more proud American citizen (I was born in London!) I’ve always been intensely interested in American politics, and so knew that our president (whoever it is) today always flies aboard an impressive, specially equipped B-747. Back then Air Force One was a B-707, tail number 26000. On both sides’ of the fuselage, in large letters, it said UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. The public knew it as Air Force One. I was thrilled when I discovered that anytime it flew to Los Angeles with the president, the aircraft parked at Continental’s hangars. Because Continental’s  PR team was always involved in working with the media when Air Force One came into LAX, I got to know the Secret Service guys who played a major role in these visits.

As time went on I developed a kinship with one of them (I still have his business card) and each time the aircraft came to LAX, I felt he “trusted” me more and more. So, I plucked up my courage and said, “The next time AF One flies into LAX, could I get a tour inside?”

He said YES!

In the Fall of 1980, AF One flew in with President Reagan and, along with Al Feldman, the new CEO of Continental, we got to take a tour inside one of the most famous airplanes in the world. As we stood at the bottom of the steps to go on the aircraft, there was a big, hefty looking USAF Master Sergeant who, in a loud voice and in VERY firm tones, said “Do not take anything once you get on board. We’ll give you a Gift Pack before you leave.”

There were several things that surprised me. After entering by the door nearest the nose, and immediately by the right hand side, there is a sort of huge keyboard with the telephone connections to most of the world’s key leaders. I’d expected there’d be some sort of bedroom. There wasn’t. I also noticed, as we headed towards back of the ‘plane, it got less comfortable. We were told “that’s the media section.”

It was THIS B-707 – tail number 26000 – that flew Kennedy to Dallas in 1963. It was referred to as Air Force One when the president was aboard and, at other times as SAM 26000. Costing $8 million back then, she entered service in 1962, and was used by President Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon. On March 24^th, 1998, the plane was retired to the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright Patterson AFB, near Dayton, Ohio.

As I stood in the exact spot aboard the aircraft where Johnson was sworn in as President of the USA in 1963, an eerie chill ran up and down my spine, as I visualized that now famous scene and photo. Appreciating I was actually on board THIS unique B-707, my emotions and feelings were heart tugging and “tear inducing.” Here I was standing in the same plane that President Kennedy had gone to Dallas in, but had returned to Washington in a coffin.

As a longtime travel journalist my work has taken me to 51 countries where I’ve been privileged to see and do countless “things” that many people can only dream about.  However, as I toured Air Force One that day in 1980 at the LAX Continental Airlines hangar, I’d  never before experienced such powerful thoughts about life, happiness and how fortunate I was, to live and work as a naturalized American citizen in this marvelous country called America. Departing this classic aircraft (with my little Gift pack!) and knowing its unique part in American history, I knew this would the most incredible experience of my life.

The post The Most Incredible Tour I’ve Ever Taken – On JFK’s Air Force One in 1980 appeared first on Traveling Archive.