One of my fondest memories was visiting there with my Polish Grandad when he was alive. He was a pilot and when Warsaw fell, escaped and came to the UK. He flew Lancaster's and Hallifax bombers and the very kind people at the musum arranged for him to sit in a Lancaster Cockpit. It was very very emotional and something I will never ever forget. Wonderful place. Thoughtful place.
I just saw this clip and now your message! I know you cannot thank you Grandad but I saw to you thank you for his services back then! My parents and uncles were in WWII My uncle was a Wellington bomber! My dad's brother was a navigator but sadly lost his life on his first raid! my mum died in 2019 aged 95! I once again say thank you to all the brave folks back then! fighting for our freedom we have today! R.I.P to all passed away then and later on in life!
Without hero’s like your Grandfather the UK may not have been so fortunate. The Polish Airmen are revered by anyone who has served or survived WW2. I was born in 1955 and learned of the history of people like your family from some of the people who were there. I feel that we still owe a debt of gratitude. All the best from Scotland. rab
Talking Poland. Attlee's labour government didn't invite the Polish forces in Britain to participate in the 1946 Victory parade in London so as not to 'upset' Stalin. What an insult to all those brave and dispossessed men who made such a contribution to saving Britain. Bless them all, some of us remember and are grateful.
Ahhh the most iconic British bomber, the Vulcan. To hear its roar was just something else. It was like the gates of hell had been opened. It's like nothing on earth before or since.
Watching you from France loved the video . My Grandmother whos now 103 was born in 1921 in Normandy was 23 at the time of the Normandy landings living in upper Normandy herd and saw on the night of the 5th of June Americans jumping from Dakotas. She saw everything as it was a full moon that nigh. My Grandmother just lived at home. She spoke English because the Germans had turned the road signs the wrong way or put false ones in. Or taken away all together. Its was 3am - 4am and as she knew the area. She remembers the Americans looking at their maps with special red lights in the darkness and she rode on the front of one of the jeeps to direct them to a cross roads. Before being told that's as far as she goes. She had a long walk back over fields still watching the next wave and the 3rd waves of American jumpers in the sky's. In the darkness she fell over left over boxes and crates but didn't see until day light that she walked through a field of gliders that had crash landed, Got home and told what she did she was told dont tell stories. Until she took out American candy and coffee and what we believe to be some K-rations and cigarettes luck-strike we still have the wrapping, She got them to autograph the packet. She thinks they where from the 82nd or the 115th . The next day the bombing really opened up she remembers seeing the grass and the ground rising from the shock-waves. The Americans managed to re-take the position after the Germans were moving south and taking last minute reprisals against the population no one was safe, Shooting people at the side of the road, Older people of the villages hid the younger ones in basements and in barns and gave them money so if they was discovered to then try and bribe the Germans to let them go. My Grandmother was lucky and came out from the hiding place to find no one around, No food as everything was cut off, The American red Cross gave out food parcels as they went through the villages under escort, As she spoke English she was soon quickly picked for an interpreter and employed by the Americans and went all the way to Berlin until liberation in 1945. Then worked for the Americans in the tracing service as refugees across Europe were released from the camps and displaced to help them relocate and find relatives.
Friend, thank you for sharing this story about your grandmother! To be able to share a store like this with her grandchildren is incredible! We truly appreciate your time you too to watch and share this with us. Again, thank you, friend! 🤍 Jess x
@@DaydreamersBarn Thank you so much for your reply. I am in the UK now for a short time before going home to France, Grandmother to frail to travel now. and we would not risk it. Hope to see a few places in the UK while I am here, Merci 😄
Another place of interest nearby that is often overlooked is the American war cemetery just outside of Cambridge... well worth a visit to put things in perspective
Absolutely! It's a place every American visitor to the UK should make time to visit and understand the sacrifice of their young men. The cemetery contains the remains of 3,811 US war dead; a further 5,127 names are recorded on the Walls of the Missing.
@@stubbsy3413 No, she referred to the one with the yellow black and grey disruptive pattern paintwork and plainly said it was a Mosquito and she was right. A lot of what she was reading didn't specifically correspond with what the camera was capturing at that point in the video.
@@stubbsy3413 We must be watching different videos. She was reading from the keys to the aircraft on display and until she came to the Mosquito there was no coordination between what she was reading with what was in view of the camera. In fact it was a bloody awful video because a large part of the time there was no coordination between what we were seeing and what was being read out from the keys to the aircraft or was otherwise being said. Before she even said "Look at that one...", meaning the Mosquito, her husband had said about the Lancaster, "It's a Lancaster Mark ten".
For me one of the most impressive things about the American Air Museum is the glass wall around it. There are over 6,000 aircraft silhouettes etched onto its surface to represent each American plane that was lost flying from the UK during WW2.
@@DannyBoy777777 For some, but never in my eyes. Bomber Command had the highest man attrition rate of any UK fighting force, brave men doing their duty and together with the US Eighth, ensured that Hitlers army had nothing left to fight with. A travesty that some people were hooked by Goebbel's propaganda at wars end with Harris was badly treated.
Great video you guys. The Mosquito, what a piece of kit that plane was. Made from wood by carpenters and fitted with two merlin engines. Sounded the dogs danglies.
Best, most versatile aircraft of WWII in my opinion, fast bomber, capable of flying at tree-top height, capable fighter with four .303 Bronwing machine guns and four 20mm cannons, great ground attack aircraft with 8 60 pound rockets, and even fitted with a 57 mm rapid fire cannon for sinking U boats. Even Goring, the head of the Luftwaffe, said he was sick with envy that Germany didn't have anything like it.
Fantastic, I'm so glad we did get it on video. Unfortunately, we're not aircraft experts but love them and appreciate them. We definitely love learning and exploring all the beautiful aircraft! Thank you for your time commenting and watching. 🤍 Jess x
The three best museums that I have visted were at Duxford, Cosford and Dayton Ohio, hard to beat for comprehensive coverage of military aircraft. Duxford also has an interesting collection of British post war airliners.
That mean looking bomber under the Mosquito is the Avro Lancaster. It had the biggest bomb capacity of any bomber in ww2 until the B-29 arrived near the end. It dropped the largest non-nuclear bombs of the war (The 12,000lb Tallboy bomb and the 22,000lb Grand Slam bomb), and was versatile enough to modify it to any need the RAF had, they even fitted it with a bomb that bounced across water like a skipping stone so that it could attack German dams
@@dannymiester5825 In Manchester - or at Woodford? My grandfather was a toolmaker at Austin Motors, Longbridge. They turned out first Short Stirlings, then Lancs. 7 days a week, on 12 hour shifts, until the end of the war. It was total war...
The one with the yellow underbelly you are laughing about WAS the most feared aircraft of WW2. The Mossy (Mosquito) AKA the woden wonder. It carried out almost every role that an aircraft could do in wartime on it's own, and was so fast, and accurate that it's pilots carried out some of the most daring raids in WW2 histroy, in fact possibly even until today, world histrory.
it also proved to all airforces that aircraft could be effective without tons of armour and gun turrets, paving the way for the modern fighters using jet engines
I last went here 17 years ago. It is even more impressive. I love the foresight of saving wrecked vehicles from the battlefield for posterity. My mum and dad met when they were both serving in the RAF in the war and now my grandson has joined the air cadets. He was on parade on Remembrance Sunday and his gun was nearly as long as him!
Patrick, I agree it was so incredible to see it all in one place. Was truly breathtaking. We definitely feel like we need to return. Love that your parents meet in the RAF such a lovely story! Please tell your grandson thank you for his service from our family! What an honor it is to see someone you love service your country. I'm always so proud of my family who have serviced. Thank you for sharing your love with us! 🤍 Jess & family x
Back in the 1960’s I was about 12 years old and in the Sea Cadets .. I remember being in the Guard detail on Remembrance Day in Albert Square (Manchester) … my mate was in the army cadets and his dad was Regimental Sargent Major on the day giving out all the parade orders … Ahhhh Memories
They walked past so much and didn't realise, literally there are some super cool bits of history there its amazing, I was shouting at the screen yo go back check that out.
The RAF Museum at Colindale in north London is also fantastic, with 4 or 5 hangars full of historic and more modern aircraft. The museum is free entry (pre-book a free ticket), but there is a charge for parking.
Colindale is the nearest Underground station. ,The museum is the RAF Museum, Hendon. Hendon aerodrome is no more and the land is now a huge residential area called Grahame Park
When I was a kid growing up in Snowdonia the RAF used to do low level flight training right over our village which being a kid I obviously loved, but they stopped after a while as there was a large town nearby so I think they started getting too many complaints. They do all their low level training these days in an area called The Mach Loop which is a series of valleys between Dolgellau and Machynlleth, a lot of people go down there to watch them train as you can climb the hillside and watch the planes pass below you which is incredible to see, there's loads of videos on TH-cam but I'd highly recommend going there as it's literally mind-blowing watching the aircraft pass by and all the top pilots from the RAF, US Airforce and Commonwealth countries train there, so you see a huge variety of aircraft.
I live right on the edge of the _Mach Loop_ and we get all the remnants. Sat here right now reading your comment. Had a low level Typhoon buzzing the house just after dark last night. Pain in the A. during lambing!
That sounds like it would be amazing to check out. Something you cannot see anywhere else. It is on the list, if time permits that is. Thanks for the recommendation. Also, that does not sound fun during lambing at all. Cheers, Chris
@@DaydreamersBarn Friends of mine came to stay for a few days a couple of years ago and they are total aeroplane nuts, the sky was empty and silent the whole time. Day after they left it was buzzing non-stop! Fast jets seem to favor the nice weather but the big transports will lumber through no matter what - even at night.
@@firestorm2820 They train all over the UK but the nice thing about the Mach Loop is that the nearby RAF valley airbase is one of the three 'Top Gun' schools in the UK.
I used to be a Restoration volunteer at Newark Air Museum, if you’re ever in that neck of the woods is a great little museum that’s well worth a visit - it specialises in Cold War stuff but there’s some unusual bits and pieces there too.
Vaudevillian, Fantastic, recommendation! We will definitely check to see if we can make a trip. We really appreciate it! Im sure working there was quite nice getting to see and learn. 🤍 Jess x
That Lightning in the first section is the actual one that a ground engineer accidentally took off in. He'd been tasked with doing a ground run to try and trouble shoot a problem and accidentally got the engines stuck in afterburner / reheat. Hurtling across the airfield there was nothing left to do but to take off and take it round the circuit to land. Luckily in those days the RAF gave its engineers some basic flying training so he had the knowledge to safely complete his flight. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holden%27s_Lightning_flight
I really enjoyed your visit to the war museum, now almost seventy, I spent my last twenty four years of working life making components for the Martin -Baker ejector seat mainly for American military aircraft. Around 2005/2007 I received a polo shirt commemorating 7000 successful ejections. The seats are still a successful life saving unit and long may it continue to save the brave pilots in the future. Makes me proud to know that I have played a small part in protecting lives.
That is great to be a part of that. Hopefully they do not need it, but in the case they do, I am glad they have people as dedicated as you making the components for them. Cheers, Chris
The Aircraft you said looks so mean is the Avro Lancaster bomber, my grandma helped to build Lancasters at the AVRO factory in world war 2. Rip Grandma, proud grandson
Yes you went to Duxford! I'm well pleased.😊 I could bore you for days about all the aircraft on display so I won't as my fingers will wear out. Glad you enjoyed your day out and glad you posted your vlog as I enjoyed it immensely. Paul
We loved our time. We wish we had an expert with us to take us around. We're definitely not experts, but we loved our time learning and seeing what we did. 🤍 Jess x
@DaydreamersBarn I would've enjoyed telling you all the facts. If it's available I recommend watching the BBC Operation Jericho documentary on You tube which was about the RAF Mosquitoes flying a low level attack on Amiens prison in northern France to help free the French resistance prisoners held by the Gestapo to escape. The real footage of them flying at tree top level at around 350mph is astounding.
You never mentioned or showed the English Electric Lightening, which could exceed Mach 1 in a vertical climb (you walked past its superposed engines at 7.09), when it climbed above a U2 spy plane flying at its maximum height, at which it was thought to be invulnerable, and dove to attack it just to prove a point (simulated attack we weren't at war) Also the only plane fast enough to intercept Concorde.
Sorry to be a pedant but it's 'English Electric' Lightning ⚡ English Electric is the manufacturer - the Jet is technically not named after the Country.
I’ve just found your channel. I’m glad you enjoyed Duxford, it’s a very special place, to remember both the amazing technology and the brave servicemen our two nations share. Thanks for your video 🇬🇧 🇺🇸
We are glad you found the channel. It was a very amazing place for us to check out. It is really great seeing both countries represented. Cheers, Chris
Did you go into the restoration and operational aircraft hangars ? You can watch all the vintage warbirds being worked on. If you visit in the Summer, you are very likely to see Spitfires etc flying there most days.
@stevet7695 ...the Mossy was my first airfix model...the TSR-2 was way ahead of its time but didn't really know it and apparently for some reason they destroyed the blue prints to it...if I had to choose one plane it would have to be the Harrier, it's quirky, unique and full of British character and innovation...so many great British planes , the lightening is another, all the V bombers , the Comet, Lancaster, even the P-51 Mustang which is essentially a British designed aircraft built by the Americans for us during WW2...
Glad you thoroughly enjoyed the visit, The IWM holds a special place in my heart too. Best wishes to you and your family, and I wish you a safe trip back home.
Just wanted to say, I only just found your channel by accident. I think I have watched every one of your videos in about 18 hours. It's great to see the wholesome content. You can tell you really enjoy what you are doing. You have found an avid viewer and subscriber in me.
That means a lot to us. We want to be authentic on who we are and what we do. It is what we enjoying when we watch TH-cam, people being real. We are glad to have you a viewer and subscriber. Looking forward to taking you a long with us on our journey. Cheers, Chris
I haven't been there, since it opened. When it was still an airfield and was just getting started, I went there with my father. He brought a WW2 engine from a crashed plane there for the display. It had been dug out of a peat pit and wasn't in good condition back then. He flew Sunderlands (enginerr/technician) with Coastal Command after the war. We used to visit the Hendon Air Museum, when I was a kid.
I think a number of British built planes could claim that. The Hurricane was a great plane with many preferring to fly it. And the Mosquito and Lancaster are - or were incredible for the day. The Mosquito was in a class of its own, but when you compare the Lancaster to the B-17 its specs are very impressive. But more important than the specs people compare, are the realities and practicalities. The Lancaster could carry more bombs is a spec you will see, what you will usually not be told is that the load carried in B-17 could not be dropped in one go. Their much shorter bomb bay not only meant that they couldn’t carry the specialty large bombs the Lancaster could, but their bombs had to stacked in tiers. They were stacked in side the bomb bay, so the first tier had to be released to make way for the second tier etc. The B-17s boasted that they could bomb from a higher altitude, but the higher you bomb from, the less accuracy you get. The Lancaster could drop 14,000lbs of bombs simultaneously over its target. By the end of the war the B-17 had had its payload increased to 8000lbs. That 8000kbs could not be released simultaneously, the sequence took (I think) 7 seconds minimum. In 7 seconds, a plane moves a considerable distance. If you are trying to bomb a specific target, if both bombers dropped their load to perfection, the Lancaster would drop nearly twice as much weight in bombs, from a height that would make drift less likely. The B-17 would only drop a portion of its much lighter load on the target, since the drop sequence was so slow, and it would drop it from a higher altitude, making it more prone to drift.
Apologies if this is long I would just love to say, honestly, IWM Duxford is one of my all time favourite attractions. As well as Bovington which I should point out is one hell of an experience. Something like 200 plus exhibits I think, I could be wrong. Anyway, back to the Vlog, honestly I couldn't care in the slightest that it was abit grainy. You shared with us your experience at Duxford and seeing you in amazement at the SR-71 and B-52 was just awesome. Yes I know I am from England but I love American aircraft as much as the next person. P-51, B1 Lancer I think, P-47, B-17 and of course the Liberator. Seeing you at times just not talk and take in the experience was a joy to see. I was staggered the first time I came to the Duxford Museum at the sheer size of the hangars and all the different exhibits they had. There are something like 6 other exhibit hangars. There is so much to see and do at Duxford and I hope this won't be the last time you visit it. For me also worth mentioning there are some truly incredible feats of engineering that our country was able to make during the second world war especially such as the Mosquito, Spitfire, Lancaster, Harrier and among others. I just also remember looking underneath the fuselage of the Avro Vulcan and seeing its bomb bay doors. Could not believe the sheer size of that beast! One of the big 3. Vulcan, Valiant and Victor I would like to say also that I feel very grateful that there are those across the pond that come to our country and enjoy exploring our museums and attractions and so on, it really is nice to know that you came as a family and you enjoyed yourselves. I should point out ahah I really hope that you go to the likes of Bovington and the IWM in London. Some incredible exhibits to have a look at. For me I was a massive admirer of going into the Medal archives room and seeing those brave service men and women and hearing their stories. Thank you for sharing this on TH-cam and honestly I should be watching more of these vlogs!
We are glad that you enjoyed the vlog. It was a great time had by all our family and we were excited to take you with. As much as the UK has, I recognize the American ones a little bit more. We are working on getting a little more educated when it comes to the history of both countries, especially with the air and military. We are looking to check out some more museums before we go. Thanks for the comment. Cheers, Chris
The M11 Motorway was due to be built across one end of Duxford’s single runway thus shortening it. However they had to wait until the prototype Concorde flew in as Concorde needed the longer runway length. As soon as Concorde had landed, the Contractor’s machines moved in to start work.
Ahhh this takes me back to when i went to Duxford back in 2016 i adored it my most memorable experience is that i got to sit inside the Avro Lancaster there that is something i’ll never forget
I lived in England twice. The first time was 1963 to 1964 in Cornwall. This was because my father, a Naval Aviator with the US Navy, was on exchange tour with the Royal Navy flying Fairey Gannets off of the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal and RNAS Caldrose. I returned as a member of the US Air Force at RAF Alconbury from 1990 to 1993. My parents were able to visit during that time. We visited Duxford. My father, from his flight log books, confirmed he had flown the Fairey Gannet that resides there. Very nice. Duxford is a place of history, containing and preserving history. It is a world class facility and should be visited by anyone with an interest in aviation or military history. I can say I participated by bringing active duty USAF vehicles to there for display over a weekend. My family and I enjoyed our time, travels, and people around the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, and Wales).
That is incredible! Thank you for sharing. I'm sure it's so lovely to look back on those memories with him and all the time you spent here in the UK. We appreciate your time sharing with us. 🤍 Jess x
Before retirement, eight years ago the company I drove for rented matting to IWM Duxford and it was my job once a week to go around the site changing the mats at various locations, you walked over two at the entrance to the first building you entered.
you viewed the Hawker Siddeley Harriet but the bit you failed to mention which makes it unique is its a jump jet,the world's only true V/STOL aircraft (vertical and / or short takeoff and landing.It saw active duty during the Falklands war.During the mid 70s to mid 80s we lived in the village next door (2miles away as the base covered a big area)to RAF Wittering,Cambs which was the main Harrier base in the UK so we would regularly see them on training exercises.Night time ones were spooky because all you would see would be wing lights going up into the dark sky vertically
That sounds like a pretty impressive aircraft, and to be able to see it during flight must have been a true treat. Thanks for the comment. Cheers, Chris
i absolutely love IWM Duxford!! its got a lot of really cool historical stuff you cant really find in other places in the UK !! if you are ever in the west midlands area RAF Cosford is another amazing aviation place to go to its a fair bit smaller than Duxford but still has quite a lot! and just a little north from that just next to the town of Nantwich is one of my all time favourite museums (other than the tank museum) of Hack Green secret nuclear bunker!! they are home to the largest collection of nuclear weapons in Europe! its an amazing place to go with lovely staff and a pretty cool collection of stuff all sat in a bunker!
Thank you so much for the recommendations. We will definitely try and check them out. We really appreciate it when you all share with us. We love to learn and share our adventures. 🤍 Jess x
As a brit, we are very proud of our aircraft museum at duxford near Cambridge. It's probably the finest aviation museum in europe . Why, you ask, well, Duxford played a big part in Britain's survival in the second world war. As did many other airfields around the uk . But even today, you can see vintage aircraft being restored to flying condition or take a trip in a vintage aircraft, ie spitfire to a tiger moth. Its just a wonderful museum. Lots of airshows during the year or at least towards summertime. So if your from the states and enjoy aviation please visit.
We completely understand it is something to be very proud of. We love learning all we can and appreciate the history. We really appreciate your time watching and sharing with us. 🤍 Jess x
As a child I lived in Saffron Walden up the road ,last time I was there was 20 years ago. Fun fact I then grew up in Southend-on-sea. The local airport had the Vulcan there for many years
I love going to Duxford but ive not been for at least a decade. I love the A10 and the SR71 the buff just looks to big to stay aloft. I only live 40 mins north so maybe ill go again one day. The Buff was based 20 mins north i believe at Alconbury which is now housing. Theres just east of Duxford are the Lakenheath/Mildenhall fighter bases and 10 mins north of me was where the legendary Harriers were based. As a kid i loved seeing them in the sky. Have a great time during your visit best of wishes Duncan
Friend, I hope you get a chance to go again as well. We loved seeing all the aircraft it was such an amazing sight. The BUFF is such a magnificent aircraft. Thank you for sharing your time with us. 🤍 Jess x
Glad you guys enjoyed your visit to Duxford. I've not been there for maybe 20 years, it's one of the best museums in the UK. I treated myself and my late father to a flight in a 1930's biplane from Duxford, the American hangar is excellent, with many aircraft that us Brits would never get to see (SR-71 Blackbird, B-29 Superfortress etc).
Hi de hi you two, that was a nice day out for you, I have been there a long time ago, great to see all those aircraft again, three cheers to you oo thanks
Its massive, did you go in to the hangers between the museum buildings? There are loads more aircraft and you can see the restoration work. We live not far away (near the lavender farm you visited) and you have to go many times to cover it all. Nice video!
You are right, we did not know just how much was there until we were actually walking it and trying to take as much in as we could. Glad you liked the video. Cheers, Chris
If you visit the UK you have to go to Duxford, this video only showed a fraction of what is there. Also, not far away is the Shuttleworth Collection, which are typically older planes. About an hour and a half away you have the RAFM museum at Cosford which is free to enter, however, you do have to pay £7.50 to park your car. These three are must a do if you like old military aviation.
My wife and I went to Duxford in 2018, it's a fantastic museum. While we were there 2 A10s on their way back from Germany diverted to Duxford and did a couple of very low fly pasts over the runway.
If you haven't been there yet, I would check out Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial. It's just west of Cambridge on the Madingley Road (CB23 7PH).
I would agree with you,the remembrance service is on the Spring bank holiday May 26th 2025 ,if you are still in the UK i can really recommend you visit.
We visited one on the 8 Nov and watched a Remembrance day held in London one of our friends was in the parade. We will look into make that service. We really appreciate your kindness. 🤍 Jess x
@@DaydreamersBarn If you are in the greater London area places of possible interest, Cliveden House (former home of the Astors), Taplow nr Maidenhead; John F Kennedy memorial at Runnymede, nr Egham. Several things of interest nearby (Magna Carter, RAF memorial); Brookwood War Memorial (also American section) near Woking; Winston Churchill's (he's half American) home at Chartwell, Westerham, nr Sevenoaks.
@@DaydreamersBarn Madingley Cemetery is designated 'American soil' - resting there are US aircrew - including one of the Kennedy family - the pilot of a bomber packed with explosives which was supposed to fly straight into a target - Kamikaze-style (after the crew had bailed out, of course). Stupid idea. It exploded shortly after take-off
I was there a few years ago, and a month later I was talking to one of the curators and I remarked about the cloth from The Wright Flyer which was almost hidden and they remarked there was nowhere else they could have it on display and preserve it from sunlight. I hope wherever it is now it is seen and appreciated as so many people walked past without even noticing it was there
Did gou visit the smaller hangars that have a lot of the WW2 aircraft? Lots of Spitfires in there and most of them are flying examples. Also hurricanes, at least 1 P51 and some others. On my last visit I flew in the Hurricane and my dad in the Spitfire. So much fun!!
This brought back many memories. The aircraft in the first hangar reminded me of the plastic model kits I used to build when I was young, and I also saw Concorde on one of it's first test flights as it flew from Fairford airbase which is only a few miles away. This is also from where B52's currently fly and I saw one this morning doing several circuits around the area as I was out cleaning horse paddocks. I'm even closer to Brize Norton, which in the 1950's was a base for B36 bombers (a bit before my time, but my parents told me about it).
We're so glad it brought back good memories for you. It was such a lovely experience. We're happy you came along with us and shared your time. 🤍 Jess x
Hiya Jess, Chris Colette and Shane, oh how my eyes lit up when I saw where you were 😊. It's been a long time since I last visited and being an aviation enthusiast I watched in awe at how the exhibits were displayed. My favourite U.S aircraft are the A-10 Thunderbolt, that nose cannon is incredible and the swingwing F-111 from RAF Upper Heyford ( U.H. ). Thank you so much my friends for making this plane spotter very. happy . A truly wonderful experience. Take care and have a lovely Thursday. ✈️❤️xx
Stephen, We are so glad this video lit up your eyes! The exhibits were very well put together. Love the planes flying over head as we walked from building to building. We spent over 2 hours there, and we still feel like we possibly need to make a return trip to see what we missed. I have to say aircraft are so fascinating. I have so much respect for pilots and all aviation crew! The A-10s are some very unique and exciting aircraft! I will look up the F-111. I'm so happy we could put a smile on your face. We hope you have a lovely day! 🤍 Jess & family x
@@DaydreamersBarn Hiya Jess and Chris, seeing the B-17 on display I just wondered if you have ever seen the film "Memphis Belle" about a USAF crew based in Eastern England during the second world war. I think you might like it my friends. xx ♥
Lots of love here for the Mossie. It's well deserved. When l was growing up the two best days of the year were Christmas and whenever "633 Squadron" was on TV!
I've never been to Duxford but I really like the way that they have the aircraft laid out. I bet that Short Sunderland flying boat and the Fairey Swordfish could tell a few stories. And that Lysander and Mosquito they have so many iconic aircraft.
Friend, it's definitely a wonderful experience, and I highly recommend checking it out. It's worth it. I would recommend a full day to explore. 🤍 Jess x
You guys should go to the imperial war museum London SE1 6HZ 😁😎 ps: they didn't assemble the jeeps they were carried in the gliders , if you have time check out the "Austin Champ" the UK version of jeep .
@RodgerMoore-m3r ...they were also assembled from crates dropped...plenty of videos on here showing they were also assembled after being dropped in crates 👍
It's a great museum,have been many times, if you ever find yourselves in Palm Springs I would definitely visit their aircraft museum, we visited by chance whilst on a road trip and had a great day.
A really lovely video. Having Chris as the resident expert was a bonus I am surprised that there is an entry fee. I thought that all IWM installations were free. However, it is well worth the money. Many thanks for taking us along with you.
Thank you, friend! It was fun having him explain things to us. He was in heaven. It was a hefty price for us all to get in, but well worth the money spent to get in. We loved and still feel we need to return. 🤍 Jess x
IWM London & IWM North are free. The others - Duxford, Cabinet War Rooms & HMS Belfast charge an entry fee. The two RAF Museums - Hendon & Cosford - are free.
I really enjoy all of your videos and this one brought back some happy memories of seeing the SR71 flying from Mildenhall in the late seventies. Officially it was never there but I often saw it taking off at dawn for the long flight to spy on Russia. One night in the Bell Hotel (a popular drinking hole for US airmen back then) I saw two airmen with SR71 patches and asked them if they were Blackbird pilots. One of them put on a very official sounding voice and said 'No sir, there are no Blackbirds in Mildenhall'. Then he winked!
The silver aircraft 5:06 is a Canberra. These are still in use with NASA with some modified/modernised engines. They cannot fly quite as high as the U2 but I believe are much easier to operate.
We've been here many many times, it's a very good museum. You'd need more than a day to see everything. Another place to visit is the American Cemetery at nearby Madingley .
We loved our time exploring. It's a little expensive to spend more than just a day. Thank you for sharing with us. We did visit the American Cemetery, and it was such an honor to pay our respects. 🤍 Jess x
As ever, an excellent video from your lovely family. I'm one of the first men in my family to have not joined the RAF since its' inception after the 1st World War. I was a London teenager in the '60s, when hippy culture, "make love not war" etc. hit us full-on - so the RAF wasn't going to happen for me! Even now I find Duxford (and the Imperial War Museum) fascinating, yet sobering and depressing - a museum largely dedicated to the history of the ingenious ways we've found to kill each other.
That was totally absorbing ; the variety of aircraft ; different designs, shapes and sizes and how they managed to place them all in clear view is very impressive. The ongoing maintenance will require special skills, and I'm thinking that engineers will give their time free for the opportunity to 'get close' and intimate. I'm ashamed to admit that although I'd heard of Duxford I hadn't imagined such a huge and significant site. Brilliant, and thanks for the 'awakening'. Cheers ! Sheffield South Yorkshire.
Friend, same! It was so magnificent and breathtaking to be able to marvel at them and share with you all. Ever area was well put together and organized. We loved spending time with such a cool experience, something new to us. 🤍 Jess x
If you are interested in other special interest museums, I think you would enjoy the Haynes Motor Museum. It is in Yeovil. Its huge! Can spend all day there
@@DaydreamersBarn to add to that, about 5 miles from the Haynes Motor Museum is Fleet Air Arm Museum , which is the largest museum of its kind in the whole of Europe
The F117 nighthawk was the 1st "stealth" aircraft, There were Spy Planes before, but there weren't "Hidden". The U2 was a ultra high altitude plane that flew on the border of space it took the invention of SAM to make this plane redundant. The SR71 still holds the speed records for a jet engined craft and it was able to out run the missiles. Both of these were traceable on radar, it's just little could be done to stop them doing their missions.
An argument could be made that the Mosquito was the first 'stealth' aircraft, and in a way the forerunner of the SR-71. Made entirely of wood, it was extremely difficult to pick up on the radar of the day. And in its initial form carried no weapons, like the SR-71 it relied on speed for reconnaissance missions and was simply able to outrun other planes. - the big difference being that the SR-71 flew at extreme altitudes to avoid weapons systems, while the Mosquito - especially on combat missions flew incredibly low, since at high speeds and low altitudes they could fly over anti-aircraft guns in seconds, moving faster than the guns could be aimed
@@adrianmcgrath1984 I get where you are coming form, but that means that any wooden plane could be classed as a "Stealth" aircraft. Making the Wright Bros Flyer not only the 1st successful powered flight but the 1st stealth aircraft as well :) I believe that for an "stealth" designation it should have been built with that as the concept. The Mossie was made out of wood for 2 reasons, it was a resource the Brits had at hand, and the people who made it were piano making carpenters. It was a fantastic aircraft but any "stealth" capabilities were coincidental and not part of the design. For those reasons i can't call it a "stealth" aircraft.
That first, four engined flying boat was a Short Sunderland, known as The Flying Porcupine by the Germans. They were used a lot for anti-submarine duties. The dark biplane near it with the tail gun position was a Fairey Swordfish or 'Stringbag' used for carrier operations and the high wing monoplane hanging from the roof was a Westland Lysander, a slow-flying spy dropper.
When I was in North West Florida, I happened to come across the US National Air Museum in Pensacola, fantastic facilities and pure by chance. Four days later. I was back in Orlando where I saw the space shuttle launch at the end of September 1994 and as the Welshman and I kid you not one of the astronauts was Tom Jones. not the Tom Jones, but a Thomas Jones, pure serendipity and a wonderful experience?🇬🇧🏴🇺🇸👏
Thomas Jones is a very common Welsh name. There were so many Thomas Jones in my Great Uncle’s Welsh Regiment that they were known by the last 3 digits of their army numbers.
@@neilhayz1555 Believe it or not, Tom Jones was named after the film from the 1960s. His surname is actually Woodward and a lot of his family were actually English, to me He was Welsh born and is British🇬🇧🏴🇬🇧
@@WILLIAM1690WALES - I had to look up Tom Jones birth name! My grandma had 3 brothers and for some strange reason they were all called Thomas, surname being Jones. They all served in the Welsh guards and then in the mines. They moved to Ashton-u-Lyne for better wages. My Mam told me Thomas Jones was a hugely popular male name in Wales. It’s probably what her grandmother told her. I am now wondering if my Mams family were just mad as fish.
Last went there in 2017 and can see all the same aircraft but some have been moved around. Probably will go again next year as I'm only 2 hours away. Another amazing museum to visit is Bovington Tank Museum in Dorset will go back there again someday. Living im Norwich I pass a Avro Vulcan and an English Electric lightening everyday as I pass the Norwich Aviation Museum.
The Biplane landing is a de Havilland Dragon Rapide from the 1930's they offer flights on it, I was lucky to be one taking a low level tour over London. Glad you enjoyed the day, worth keeping a watch on the airfield as they are usually taking up warbirds for test flights all the time.
Oh no you should have lingered at the Electric Lighting and beautiful Avro Vulcan. Both iconic aircraft. Mark Felton productions has videos on both. Love Duxford. The cafe did a lovely lemon and poppy seed cake, when I last visited.
Another place near here is RAF Thorpe Abbotts. Its about an hours drive away from Duxford (to the East). Its about 4 miles from my house and its the air base where the Masters of the Air unit flew from. Its not a huge place but if you loved the show then its worth a visit.
I have two abiding memories of my trip to Duxford. One was touching the SR-71, a plane that could fly to altitudes above 80,000ft!The second was the size of the "Counting the Cost" memorial down the side of the USA building. Very sobering.
I understand your feelings. It's amazing to see one we have lost and the ones who made history. We're so honored to be here and being able to experience this all. 🤍 Jess x
And the B24 Liberator you were walking by at the 18:12 mark was actually traded for an Eagle Squadron Spitfire which is presumably on show at the Udvar Hazy Centre.
For anyone who's confused, that is NOT the Imperial War Museum. IWM Duxford is a secondary site with aviation exhibits. The actual IWM is at Lambeth Rd, London SE1 6HZ.
Straight past the TSR 2 ! ..... and a bit more recognition in the museum's display of American aircraft, which is only to be expected. Glad you enjoyed it all.
They've moved things around a bit in the American part since I was there last. I hope you had time to look in the three other hangars and the open buildings behind, such as the plotting map room.
I have been to Duxford twice this year as my 11-year-old grandson is mad about aircraft and could name all of them. Fortunately, it is around 30 minutes away from me. You walked past the twin towers memorial at 15:40, displaying a twisted girder from the site. Having recommended it I am relieved that you all enjoyed yourselves. They have air displays every year. When you see the size of these aircraft it is hard to believe that they could lift off the ground.
We noticed the twin tower memorial but we were trying to see all we could before it closed. We did enjoy it, so thank you for recommending it. Even after being stationed with the B-52s, I still don't know how they lift off the ground, lol. Cheers, Chris
The SR 72 blackbird as I understand is the only one on display at Duxford outside the U.S.A. as some of them were based in the UK when on active service.
Yes, the SR71. I corrected it on the screen. It's incredible that it is entrusted to our allies! We are so honored to get to learn and appreciate such lovely museums. 🤍 Jess x
Duxford is amazing, indeed. Great to see the current line-up in your video. Its several decades since I visited Duxford, sadly, so it is really interesting to see the current displays. I last went just after the superb US collection was first opened. Even then, I was just blown away. Most of all, when I saw, from a distance, a TSR-2 in the then-line up on the apron in front of the main hanger. I could not believe it. If you are a fan of UK military aviation, you know. You walked past it in the main hanger - which contains a good number of British world-beating designs - at around 6:30. Its cancellation - like Canada's Avro Arrow - remains highly-controversial to this day. Yes, the Sunderland flying boat is amazing. The U-boats had a different view, and the Luftwaffe called it "The Flying Porcupine". That Spitfire is a Mk24 - the final production version, and SO much faster and capable and more advanced than the Battle of Britain early versions. Its just amazing, how this superb design was able to be developed and developed. That BUFF dominates the brilliant US hanger! Other than first seeing the TSR-2 at Duxford, the only other aircraft I ever saw that came close to making such an impression on me was the similar B52 at Ellsworth AFB, SD. Part of another superb collection. You really have to get up close to one of these, to realise just how big it is? Indeed, all that visit to Ellsworth made a HUGE impression, since it included a tour to see the (now-decommissioned) Minuteman missile silos. On a grey, eerie afternoon in the massive big-sky country, after having been to see the hugely-atmospheric Little Bighorn Battlefield that morning. Don't let anyone say the US is short on history, and atmosphere from the past. Just more recent!
Adrian, I do agree with you that it was massive and so well put together and so much to see and explore. We're so glad you enjoyed the video and seeing the line-up. We spent over 2 hours there. We felt like we needed to return to see even more. We didn't know that about the Canadian part being possibly controversial. The Buff is my all-time favorite, as I have mentioned many times. It's so incredible to see them take off and land. We loved the smell of coffee as we walked into the American Air Museum! This will be a stop we will recommend to others to pay a visit. We're so glad you could come along with us and enjoyed spending the time with us. 🤍 Jess & Family x
the huge white plane was in fact the Sunderland Flying Boat, that took-off and landed on open water. my father flew the mk5 Short Sunderland out in the Indian Ocean between 1945 and 1947. he was based in Sri Lanka (Ceylon) at Koggala Lake. - a beautiful aircraft
Sunderlands - and a couple of other seaplanes do not get the recognition they deserve! Typically stationed on coasts, they tended not to fly over the countryside. And their missions were far out at sea, where very few would ever witness them. The reason the uk managed to get through the war were the supplies that came across the Atlantic from Canada and America. There are many movies made about the convoys that crossed, and even more about the German U-boats that went out and hunted them. What is less well talked about is that the trans-Atlantic convoys were most prone to attack mid-Atlantic, beyond the range of air support, out of distance for land based radar etc. There was basically a killing zone. It was the seaplanes that finally took away that extra danger, the Sunderland had a flight duration of 16 hours. They had a top speed of just over 200 miles an hour, and a cruising speed of just over 100 miles an hour. That’s a very useful range of operating speeds, allowing the plane to get somewhere quickly, but then fly at speeds more suitable for convoy protection, search and rescues etc once they reached their location. Their deployment changed the success of the convoys, saving lives at sea and making the shipping lanes far more effective.
Great tour of Duxford! It’s a massive site and grown so much over the years. It’s a shame Concorde is now a museum item. Always remember sitting in the take of lounge at Dulles Airport. Aircraft after aircraft taking off. When Concorde took off everyone stopped what they were doing to watch. Showing my age. Great day out thank you
Ray, Thank you for coming along with us! Wish we were experts in Aircraft because it seems like we missed some goodies by the comment. I looked up information about the Concorde it was a very fast and interesting aircraft. I understand why people love it! I'm sure the sound and it being the fastest ever passenger plane would make everyone stop and take note. Unfortunately, retired in 2003. Love learning about different things. I appreciate aircraft and the Duxford IWM for having such a wonderful collection to share with everyone. Thank you for the love and support! 🤍 Jess & family x
The very first plane you stood over on the gantry was a Handley Page Hastings TG528. My father was the navigator on that plane in May 1949 during the Berlin Airlift. In December 2007, the museum allowed my father back on board. I'm pleased you enjoyed your visit to Duxford.
Wow, thank you for sharing. I'm sure your dad was moved. Thank you for taking the time to share about your dad and the plane he was Navigator on. 🤍 Jess x
Sorry that you missed some of the details surrounding the American Aiir Museum, in particular, the engraved glass screens each side of the door, extending all the way down the inclined path. On those you can see every aircraft lost in action in the air war in Europe during WW2, divided into type and unit. It is sobering to think of the number of young airmen who never made it home. Also near Cambridge, you can visit the American Cemetary, where many of those who lost their lives in WW2 and came back in damaged aircraft, so mostly in the air war, but also I believe some victims from ground forces, are buried. We keep them safe for you, and it is our honour to do so. I'd have loved to act as your tour guide at Duxford, as I live locally and know the site and the collections it houses fairly well. I have my own membership, so I'm only limited by my mobility, although there are very few places a wheelchair can't reach on the site. Clearly, that does exclude the inside of the aircraft which are accessible to more mobile visitors.
We definitely agree we missed some and hopefully, we can return to see even more. We did visit the American Cemetery on Nov 8th, so show our appreciation and respect for those who gave all. We appreciate your time sharing with us. 🤍 Jess x
1:34 That my American friend is the Harrier "Jump Jet" the first and only truly succesful VTOL aircraft during the cold war. The Americans also bought and manufactured them under license as the AV-8 series. 2:15 That is a Sunderland flying boat. Used as a bomber and a spotter aircraft 2:58 The silver thing is a Spitfire. Mark 22 I believe with the Rolls Royce Griffin engine. 3:45 That is an Avro Lancaster. Our equivalent of the B17. 4:18 The Mosquito was a wooden fast attack aircraft designed to get in and get out before the Germans could organise a fighter interception. Powered by 2 Rolls Royce Merlin engines that also powered the early Spitifres and Lancasters 6:32 On the left is a *TSR2 and on the right is the infamous Avro Vulcan. Our nuclear deterrant and was succesful in dropping simulated nukes on America twice. 7:10 English Electric Lightning I believe one of the fastest NATO aircraft of the cold war roughly on par with the F104 Starfighter 10:38 Right is a BRITISH Challenger 1, left is a Russian made (probably Iraqi) BMP 11:05 That tank is a soviet T54/T55 probably again Iraqi from Desert Storm based on the camo scheme 11:42 That is a German Jagdpanther 11:54 Soviet IS 2 12:06 T 34 85 (left) and SU 85 (right) 13:20 That is a German mobile mine (can't remember the full name) which was remote controlled to drive under enemy tanks and blow them up 14:06 that is indeed an A 10 14:23 Well spotted. Love a good B52 Also might I recommend the Bovington Tank Museum. Biggest tank collection in the world including the only running Tiger I left
Thanks for sharing the information. There was a lot to take in so the break down is nice to see. Also, we have heard about the tank museum. Sounds pretty tempting, we might have to try and work that one out. Cheers, Chris
@@DaydreamersBarn No problem :) The Tank Museum is an amazing experience but it is basically on the southern coast in Bovington so it might be quite a trek to get there
My fav plane the mosquito or the wooden wonder Love how yous are so in awe of them and even more respect to the people who flew both allied (i know hubby is a us serviceman) and axis And love the civillian stuff aswell
The planes are amazing, but yes, the respect must be given to the ones who flew them. It was not as easy as driving a passenger car down the road. Cheers, Chris
I agree so much to see and one day is definitely not enough time. It was a lovely experience and hopefully we get to return. We appreciate your comment. 🤍 Jess x
One of my fondest memories was visiting there with my Polish Grandad when he was alive. He was a pilot and when Warsaw fell, escaped and came to the UK. He flew Lancaster's and Hallifax bombers and the very kind people at the musum arranged for him to sit in a Lancaster Cockpit. It was very very emotional and something I will never ever forget. Wonderful place. Thoughtful place.
Oh, I love this. Thank you for sharing with us. We truly appreciate you and am so glad this brought back lovely memories! 🤍 Jess x
I just saw this clip and now your message! I know you cannot thank you Grandad but I saw to you thank you for his services back then! My parents and uncles were in WWII My uncle was a Wellington bomber! My dad's brother was a navigator but sadly lost his life on his first raid! my mum died in 2019 aged 95! I once again say thank you to all the brave folks back then! fighting for our freedom we have today! R.I.P to all passed away then and later on in life!
Without hero’s like your Grandfather the UK may not have been so fortunate. The Polish Airmen are revered by anyone who has served or survived WW2. I was born in 1955 and learned of the history of people like your family from some of the people who were there. I feel that we still owe a debt of gratitude. All the best from Scotland. rab
And TSR2
Talking Poland. Attlee's labour government didn't invite the Polish forces in Britain to participate in the 1946 Victory parade in London so as not to 'upset' Stalin. What an insult to all those brave and dispossessed men who made such a contribution to saving Britain. Bless them all, some of us remember and are grateful.
Ahhh the most iconic British bomber, the Vulcan. To hear its roar was just something else. It was like the gates of hell had been opened. It's like nothing on earth before or since.
Especially if you lived in Lincoln in the 70s
the Vulcan Howl was Epic..nothing can beat that sound..the new passenger A220's and E2's trying to give it a go but nothing like a Vulcan
We never got the opportunity to hear it in person, but we can imagine it being pretty impressive. Cheers, Chris
@@DaydreamersBarnit was barred from flying at our local air show back in the day as it shattered numerous windows along the seafront on a low pass
I lived 2miles from Finningley air base when they took of they used to rattle the Windows
Watching you from France loved the video . My Grandmother whos now 103 was born in 1921 in Normandy was 23 at the time of the Normandy landings living in upper Normandy herd and saw on the night of the 5th of June Americans jumping from Dakotas. She saw everything as it was a full moon that nigh. My Grandmother just lived at home. She spoke English because the Germans had turned the road signs the wrong way or put false ones in. Or taken away all together. Its was 3am - 4am and as she knew the area. She remembers the Americans looking at their maps with special red lights in the darkness and she rode on the front of one of the jeeps to direct them to a cross roads. Before being told that's as far as she goes. She had a long walk back over fields still watching the next wave and the 3rd waves of American jumpers in the sky's. In the darkness she fell over left over boxes and crates but didn't see until day light that she walked through a field of gliders that had crash landed, Got home and told what she did she was told dont tell stories. Until she took out American candy and coffee and what we believe to be some K-rations and cigarettes luck-strike we still have the wrapping, She got them to autograph the packet. She thinks they where from the 82nd or the 115th . The next day the bombing really opened up she remembers seeing the grass and the ground rising from the shock-waves. The Americans managed to re-take the position after the Germans were moving south and taking last minute reprisals against the population no one was safe, Shooting people at the side of the road, Older people of the villages hid the younger ones in basements and in barns and gave them money so if they was discovered to then try and bribe the Germans to let them go. My Grandmother was lucky and came out from the hiding place to find no one around, No food as everything was cut off, The American red Cross gave out food parcels as they went through the villages under escort, As she spoke English she was soon quickly picked for an interpreter and employed by the Americans and went all the way to Berlin until liberation in 1945. Then worked for the Americans in the tracing service as refugees across Europe were released from the camps and displaced to help them relocate and find relatives.
Your Grandmother was a Hero 🙏
A remarkable story !
That's a fascinating piece of real life history, thankyou.
Friend, thank you for sharing this story about your grandmother! To be able to share a store like this with her grandchildren is incredible! We truly appreciate your time you too to watch and share this with us. Again, thank you, friend! 🤍 Jess x
@@DaydreamersBarn Thank you so much for your reply. I am in the UK now for a short time before going home to France, Grandmother to frail to travel now. and we would not risk it. Hope to see a few places in the UK while I am here, Merci 😄
Another place of interest nearby that is often overlooked is the American war cemetery just outside of Cambridge... well worth a visit to put things in perspective
Absolutely! It's a place every American visitor to the UK should make time to visit and understand the sacrifice of their young men. The cemetery contains the remains of 3,811 US war dead; a further 5,127 names are recorded on the Walls of the Missing.
They went there last week
Off Junction 13 heading north on the M11 ... no southbound exit , so heading south and take Junction 12 and return North on the M11
Very moving to visit - all those airmen (mainly I think) who rest in a country far from home having defended it from tyranny.
My wife and I from Northern Ireland visited the American war cemetery Camborne outside Cambridge, which is a very moving experience.
You walked passed two of the most beautiful aircraft ever built Concorde and the Vulcan bomber without a comment😮
Yeah and said the Lancaster was a Mosquito and the Abrams is a Challenger 1
@@stubbsy3413
No, she referred to the one with the yellow black and grey disruptive pattern paintwork and plainly said it was a Mosquito and she was right.
A lot of what she was reading didn't specifically correspond with what the camera was capturing at that point in the video.
@@stubbsy3413
We must be watching different videos.
She was reading from the keys to the aircraft on display and until she came to the Mosquito there was no coordination between what she was reading with what was in view of the camera.
In fact it was a bloody awful video because a large part of the time there was no coordination between what we were seeing and what was being read out from the keys to the aircraft or was otherwise being said.
Before she even said "Look at that one...", meaning the Mosquito, her husband had said about the Lancaster, "It's a Lancaster Mark ten".
Yeah no mention of the fastest and most beautiful aircraft ever made….CONCORDE.
@@kramshiron SR71 Hold my Jetfuel.
For me one of the most impressive things about the American Air Museum is the glass wall around it. There are over 6,000 aircraft silhouettes etched onto its surface to represent each American plane that was lost flying from the UK during WW2.
Yes, surprised they didn't mention that. It really brings home just how many young men died in the bombing of Germany.
It was something we did see and were in awe with. Unfortunately we did not get that part on camera. Cheers, Chris
Yeah, it's outside and commemorates the 30,000 US airmen that laid down their lives flying out of the UK. - Ever greatful.
@peebeedee6757 Yes, absolutely. But when it comes to RAF Bomber Command, having a memorial to those 55,000 was so controversial.
@@DannyBoy777777 For some, but never in my eyes. Bomber Command had the highest man attrition rate of any UK fighting force, brave men doing their duty and together with the US Eighth, ensured that Hitlers army had nothing left to fight with. A travesty that some people were hooked by Goebbel's propaganda at wars end with Harris was badly treated.
Great video you guys. The Mosquito, what a piece of kit that plane was.
Made from wood by carpenters and fitted with two merlin engines. Sounded the dogs danglies.
Thank you for watching. I'm glad you enjoyed it!
I will look into it. Thank you for the information. 🤍 Jess x
Best, most versatile aircraft of WWII in my opinion, fast bomber, capable of flying at tree-top height, capable fighter with four .303 Bronwing machine guns and four 20mm cannons, great ground attack aircraft with 8 60 pound rockets, and even fitted with a 57 mm rapid fire cannon for sinking U boats. Even Goring, the head of the Luftwaffe, said he was sick with envy that Germany didn't have anything like it.
@@silgen they nearly did . The focke-wulf Ta154 moskito . The Germans basically tried to copy our homework
@silgen When 105 Squadron dropped in on Hermann Goering, addressing the Third Reich from the Air Ministry Building balcony. Pesky mossies.
@@neilwilliams2409 They did. They also interrupted Goebbels the same day.
THANKYOU for visiting us . Hope our countries can stay strong and friendly for ever . 🇬🇧🇺🇸👍
It was such a pleasure! We also hope we all say allies for years to come. We love the UK so much. 🤍 Jess x
06:35 The mighty Vulcan.
I worked on these for 2 years at RAF Scampton.
Duxford is just down the road from us too! 👍🏻
Fantastic, I'm so glad we did get it on video. Unfortunately, we're not aircraft experts but love them and appreciate them. We definitely love learning and exploring all the beautiful aircraft! Thank you for your time commenting and watching. 🤍 Jess x
The three best museums that I have visted were at Duxford, Cosford and Dayton Ohio, hard to beat for comprehensive coverage of military aircraft. Duxford also has an interesting collection of British post war airliners.
As an ex RAF armourer I've never been to Duxford.... but thanks to you, now I have.
This video only shows a fraction of what is at Duxford, and it doesn't really do it justice.
Thank you for your service! We're so thrilled you enjoyed the walk around with us. 🤍 Jess x
@@DaydreamersBarn Don't say "thank you for your service" to a Brit
That mean looking bomber under the Mosquito is the Avro Lancaster. It had the biggest bomb capacity of any bomber in ww2 until the B-29 arrived near the end. It dropped the largest non-nuclear bombs of the war (The 12,000lb Tallboy bomb and the 22,000lb Grand Slam bomb), and was versatile enough to modify it to any need the RAF had, they even fitted it with a bomb that bounced across water like a skipping stone so that it could attack German dams
They also acted as a back up for the B-29s dropping the A-bombs.
My Grandma built Lancasters at the AVRO factory in Manchester during ww2, and also Ansons :) proud grandson
@@dannymiester5825 In Manchester - or at Woodford? My grandfather was a toolmaker at Austin Motors, Longbridge. They turned out first Short Stirlings, then Lancs. 7 days a week, on 12 hour shifts, until the end of the war.
It was total war...
@wessexdruid7598 Manchester, chadderton I think but not 100 % sure
@@dannymiester5825 Makes sense. There were a lot of aircraft factories in and around Manchester.
I'm glad you had a great day and jess over came her arch enemy, 'The revolving door'... this time!
Haha, well, my family about had me freaking out. I don't like being closed in places. LoL
😂🫣
🤍 Jess x
The one with the yellow underbelly you are laughing about WAS the most feared aircraft of WW2. The Mossy (Mosquito) AKA the woden wonder. It carried out almost every role that an aircraft could do in wartime on it's own, and was so fast, and accurate that it's pilots carried out some of the most daring raids in WW2 histroy, in fact possibly even until today, world histrory.
Miraculously, a Mosquito could carry the same bomb load as a B17 Flying Fortress.
it also proved to all airforces that aircraft could be effective without tons of armour and gun turrets, paving the way for the modern fighters using jet engines
@@daviddaw999err no it could carry the same as B25 mitchell same bomb load of 4000lb the B17 was about 13000lb or there abouts.
David Hines. Look the Mosquito is beautiful and was very effective, but to say it paved the way for modern jet fighters is mental.
Only when they were doing the Berlin run. 4,000lbs load.@@daviddaw999
I last went here 17 years ago. It is even more impressive. I love the foresight of saving wrecked vehicles from the battlefield for posterity. My mum and dad met when they were both serving in the RAF in the war and now my grandson has joined the air cadets. He was on parade on Remembrance Sunday and his gun was nearly as long as him!
Patrick,
I agree it was so incredible to see it all in one place. Was truly breathtaking. We definitely feel like we need to return.
Love that your parents meet in the RAF such a lovely story! Please tell your grandson thank you for his service from our family! What an honor it is to see someone you love service your country. I'm always so proud of my family who have serviced.
Thank you for sharing your love with us! 🤍 Jess & family x
Bless your grandson for serving.
Back in the 1960’s I was about 12 years old and in the Sea Cadets .. I remember being in the Guard detail on Remembrance Day in Albert Square (Manchester) … my mate was in the army cadets and his dad was Regimental Sargent Major on the day giving out all the parade orders … Ahhhh Memories
I can't believe you walked straight past the TSR2! Look it up. :)
They walked past so much and didn't realise, literally there are some super cool bits of history there its amazing, I was shouting at the screen yo go back check that out.
There was so much to see, but we only had a couple hours and had to see as much as we could. Cheers, Chris
An example; 18:54 - Left edge of shot, concrete slab is a piece of the Berlin Wall.
The RAF Museum at Colindale in north London is also fantastic, with 4 or 5 hangars full of historic and more modern aircraft. The museum is free entry (pre-book a free ticket), but there is a charge for parking.
Colindale is the nearest Underground station. ,The museum is the RAF Museum, Hendon. Hendon aerodrome is no more and the land is now a huge residential area called Grahame Park
Thanks for the recommendation. We will look into it. Cheers, Chris
When I was a kid growing up in Snowdonia the RAF used to do low level flight training right over our village which being a kid I obviously loved, but they stopped after a while as there was a large town nearby so I think they started getting too many complaints. They do all their low level training these days in an area called The Mach Loop which is a series of valleys between Dolgellau and Machynlleth, a lot of people go down there to watch them train as you can climb the hillside and watch the planes pass below you which is incredible to see, there's loads of videos on TH-cam but I'd highly recommend going there as it's literally mind-blowing watching the aircraft pass by and all the top pilots from the RAF, US Airforce and Commonwealth countries train there, so you see a huge variety of aircraft.
I live right on the edge of the _Mach Loop_ and we get all the remnants. Sat here right now reading your comment. Had a low level Typhoon buzzing the house just after dark last night. Pain in the A. during lambing!
That sounds like it would be amazing to check out. Something you cannot see anywhere else. It is on the list, if time permits that is. Thanks for the recommendation. Also, that does not sound fun during lambing at all. Cheers, Chris
@@DaydreamersBarn Friends of mine came to stay for a few days a couple of years ago and they are total aeroplane nuts, the sky was empty and silent the whole time. Day after they left it was buzzing non-stop! Fast jets seem to favor the nice weather but the big transports will lumber through no matter what - even at night.
you see plenty low levels manoeuvres in the lakes too
@@firestorm2820 They train all over the UK but the nice thing about the Mach Loop is that the nearby RAF valley airbase is one of the three 'Top Gun' schools in the UK.
I used to be a Restoration volunteer at Newark Air Museum, if you’re ever in that neck of the woods is a great little museum that’s well worth a visit - it specialises in Cold War stuff but there’s some unusual bits and pieces there too.
Vaudevillian,
Fantastic, recommendation! We will definitely check to see if we can make a trip. We really appreciate it! Im sure working there was quite nice getting to see and learn. 🤍 Jess x
It's a nice one👍
That Lightning in the first section is the actual one that a ground engineer accidentally took off in. He'd been tasked with doing a ground run to try and trouble shoot a problem and accidentally got the engines stuck in afterburner / reheat. Hurtling across the airfield there was nothing left to do but to take off and take it round the circuit to land. Luckily in those days the RAF gave its engineers some basic flying training so he had the knowledge to safely complete his flight.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holden%27s_Lightning_flight
Wow, thank you for your time sharing with us. We really appreciate your time! 🤍 Jess x
I really enjoyed your visit to the war museum, now almost seventy, I spent my last twenty four years of working life making components for the Martin -Baker ejector seat mainly for American military aircraft. Around 2005/2007 I received a polo shirt commemorating 7000 successful ejections. The seats are still a successful life saving unit and long may it continue to save the brave pilots in the future. Makes me proud to know that I have played a small part in protecting lives.
That is great to be a part of that. Hopefully they do not need it, but in the case they do, I am glad they have people as dedicated as you making the components for them. Cheers, Chris
The Aircraft you said looks so mean is the Avro Lancaster bomber, my grandma helped to build Lancasters at the AVRO factory in world war 2. Rip Grandma, proud grandson
Nice, that's a very cool story, friend! Thank you for sharing. Understand you being a very proud grandson. 🤍 Jess x
Mine also helped build them - go Grandmas!
Yes you went to Duxford! I'm well pleased.😊 I could bore you for days about all the aircraft on display so I won't as my fingers will wear out. Glad you enjoyed your day out and glad you posted your vlog as I enjoyed it immensely. Paul
We loved our time. We wish we had an expert with us to take us around. We're definitely not experts, but we loved our time learning and seeing what we did. 🤍 Jess x
@DaydreamersBarn I would've enjoyed telling you all the facts. If it's available I recommend watching the BBC Operation Jericho documentary on You tube which was about the RAF Mosquitoes flying a low level attack on Amiens prison in northern France to help free the French resistance prisoners held by the Gestapo to escape. The real footage of them flying at tree top level at around 350mph is astounding.
@paulyates473 Thanks, love. That would have been a delightful day, I'm sure. Chris and I will look that up. Thanks for the recommendation.
@DaydreamersBarn Thankyou. I have no doubt it would have been a great day and a memorable one too. 🙂
You never mentioned or showed the English Electric Lightening, which could exceed Mach 1 in a vertical climb (you walked past its superposed engines at 7.09), when it climbed above a U2 spy plane flying at its maximum height, at which it was thought to be invulnerable, and dove to attack it just to prove a point (simulated attack we weren't at war) Also the only plane fast enough to intercept Concorde.
We tried to get as much in as we could but were running short on time. Thanks for the comment. Cheers, Chris
Sorry to be a pedant but it's 'English Electric' Lightning ⚡
English Electric is the manufacturer - the Jet is technically not named after the Country.
I’ve just found your channel. I’m glad you enjoyed Duxford, it’s a very special place, to remember both the amazing technology and the brave servicemen our two nations share. Thanks for your video 🇬🇧 🇺🇸
We are glad you found the channel. It was a very amazing place for us to check out. It is really great seeing both countries represented. Cheers, Chris
We are members there.. Fantastic musuem. The Summer and Battle of Britain air shows are definitely worth going too.
Glad you enjoyed your visit.
Thank you for the lovely recommendations for the airshows. We really appreciate your time. 🤍 Jess x
Did you go into the restoration and operational aircraft hangars ? You can watch all the vintage warbirds being worked on. If you visit in the Summer, you are very likely to see Spitfires etc flying there most days.
Unfortunately, we did not make it to the other hanger. Thanks for the comment. Cheers, Chris
My 3 favourite British planes , the Spitfire, Harrier and Vulcan ...love hearing those engines on all 3 ...❤
I'm so glad we could show them in this one video! 🤍 Jess x
I'd agree with the first and third of your choices, but would add the Mossy and the TSR-2.
@stevet7695 ...the Mossy was my first airfix model...the TSR-2 was way ahead of its time but didn't really know it and apparently for some reason they destroyed the blue prints to it...if I had to choose one plane it would have to be the Harrier, it's quirky, unique and full of British character and innovation...so many great British planes , the lightening is another, all the V bombers , the Comet, Lancaster, even the P-51 Mustang which is essentially a British designed aircraft built by the Americans for us during WW2...
Glad you thoroughly enjoyed the visit, The IWM holds a special place in my heart too. Best wishes to you and your family, and I wish you a safe trip back home.
Thank you for the kind words, we really appreciate it. Cheers, Chris
Just wanted to say, I only just found your channel by accident. I think I have watched every one of your videos in about 18 hours. It's great to see the wholesome content. You can tell you really enjoy what you are doing. You have found an avid viewer and subscriber in me.
That means a lot to us. We want to be authentic on who we are and what we do. It is what we enjoying when we watch TH-cam, people being real. We are glad to have you a viewer and subscriber. Looking forward to taking you a long with us on our journey. Cheers, Chris
Magnificent display of aircraft. The Concorde was a plane way ahead of its time, a real head turner! Great video.👍
Thank you for sharing with us. It was a lovely day exploring. I'm so glad you enjoyed the video. 🤍 Jess x
Same with the incredible TSR2…..potentially a world beater had the project not been scrapped by the Labour government under Harold Wilson
I haven't been there, since it opened. When it was still an airfield and was just getting started, I went there with my father. He brought a WW2 engine from a crashed plane there for the display. It had been dug out of a peat pit and wasn't in good condition back then.
He flew Sunderlands (enginerr/technician) with Coastal Command after the war.
We used to visit the Hendon Air Museum, when I was a kid.
Sounds like a great memory to hold on to. It was pretty impressive, we would recommend another visit if you have the time. Cheers, Chris
Great call going here. Duxford is very famous, probably the best of it's kind.
Thanks was highly recommended by all our wonderful friends on here. We love and appreciate you all for sharing your time with us. Thank you 🤍 Jess x
Chris Jess,Collete and Shane! Just 2 words "Totally Stunning"
And the museum was fantastic too!
Thank you, friend! 🤍 Jess x
I love this place. My favourite is the B17. I'm a member of Sallyb Supporters Club and love watching her fly.
That is a good one. Cheers, Chris
The spitfire is a masterpiece of engineering 👌
It was so beautiful. I loved watching it fly over when we attending, The Battle of Britain Ball with the RAF! 🤍 Jess x
I think a number of British built planes could claim that. The Hurricane was a great plane with many preferring to fly it. And the Mosquito and Lancaster are - or were incredible for the day. The Mosquito was in a class of its own, but when you compare the Lancaster to the B-17 its specs are very impressive. But more important than the specs people compare, are the realities and practicalities. The Lancaster could carry more bombs is a spec you will see, what you will usually not be told is that the load carried in B-17 could not be dropped in one go. Their much shorter bomb bay not only meant that they couldn’t carry the specialty large bombs the Lancaster could, but their bombs had to stacked in tiers. They were stacked in side the bomb bay, so the first tier had to be released to make way for the second tier etc. The B-17s boasted that they could bomb from a higher altitude, but the higher you bomb from, the less accuracy you get.
The Lancaster could drop 14,000lbs of bombs simultaneously over its target. By the end of the war the B-17 had had its payload increased to 8000lbs. That 8000kbs could not be released simultaneously, the sequence took (I think) 7 seconds minimum.
In 7 seconds, a plane moves a considerable distance. If you are trying to bomb a specific target, if both bombers dropped their load to perfection, the Lancaster would drop nearly twice as much weight in bombs, from a height that would make drift less likely. The B-17 would only drop a portion of its much lighter load on the target, since the drop sequence was so slow, and it would drop it from a higher altitude, making it more prone to drift.
7:10 That is an EE Lightening. particular funny story about that aircraft. It caught up with a U-2 spy plane who thought he couldn't be intercepted.
Interesting bit of info. Cheers, Chris
Apologies if this is long
I would just love to say, honestly, IWM Duxford is one of my all time favourite attractions. As well as Bovington which I should point out is one hell of an experience. Something like 200 plus exhibits I think, I could be wrong. Anyway, back to the Vlog, honestly I couldn't care in the slightest that it was abit grainy. You shared with us your experience at Duxford and seeing you in amazement at the SR-71 and B-52 was just awesome. Yes I know I am from England but I love American aircraft as much as the next person. P-51, B1 Lancer I think, P-47, B-17 and of course the Liberator. Seeing you at times just not talk and take in the experience was a joy to see. I was staggered the first time I came to the Duxford Museum at the sheer size of the hangars and all the different exhibits they had. There are something like 6 other exhibit hangars. There is so much to see and do at Duxford and I hope this won't be the last time you visit it. For me also worth mentioning there are some truly incredible feats of engineering that our country was able to make during the second world war especially such as the Mosquito, Spitfire, Lancaster, Harrier and among others. I just also remember looking underneath the fuselage of the Avro Vulcan and seeing its bomb bay doors. Could not believe the sheer size of that beast! One of the big 3. Vulcan, Valiant and Victor
I would like to say also that I feel very grateful that there are those across the pond that come to our country and enjoy exploring our museums and attractions and so on, it really is nice to know that you came as a family and you enjoyed yourselves. I should point out ahah I really hope that you go to the likes of Bovington and the IWM in London. Some incredible exhibits to have a look at. For me I was a massive admirer of going into the Medal archives room and seeing those brave service men and women and hearing their stories. Thank you for sharing this on TH-cam and honestly I should be watching more of these vlogs!
We are glad that you enjoyed the vlog. It was a great time had by all our family and we were excited to take you with. As much as the UK has, I recognize the American ones a little bit more. We are working on getting a little more educated when it comes to the history of both countries, especially with the air and military. We are looking to check out some more museums before we go. Thanks for the comment. Cheers, Chris
@@DaydreamersBarn You are most welcome!
The M11 Motorway was due to be built across one end of Duxford’s single runway thus shortening it. However they had to wait until the prototype Concorde flew in as Concorde needed the longer runway length. As soon as Concorde had landed, the Contractor’s machines moved in to start work.
Similar thing with the Victor, my dad was on the crew that flew her in.
That's wonderful information. We really love learning from you all. We appreciate your comment! 🤍 Jess x
They flew the B52 in, it's the shortest runway a B52 ever used.
The American museum hangar at Duxford was awarded Britain's Top Architectural Prize (The Sterling Prize) the year it opened to public.
Ahhh this takes me back to when i went to Duxford back in 2016 i adored it my most memorable experience is that i got to sit inside the Avro Lancaster there that is something i’ll never forget
How lovely, thank you for taking the time to share with us. 🤍 Jess x
I lived in England twice. The first time was 1963 to 1964 in Cornwall. This was because my father, a Naval Aviator with the US Navy, was on exchange tour with the Royal Navy flying Fairey Gannets off of the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal and RNAS Caldrose.
I returned as a member of the US Air Force at RAF Alconbury from 1990 to 1993. My parents were able to visit during that time. We visited Duxford. My father, from his flight log books, confirmed he had flown the Fairey Gannet that resides there. Very nice.
Duxford is a place of history, containing and preserving history. It is a world class facility and should be visited by anyone with an interest in aviation or military history.
I can say I participated by bringing active duty USAF vehicles to there for display over a weekend. My family and I enjoyed our time, travels, and people around the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, and Wales).
That is incredible! Thank you for sharing. I'm sure it's so lovely to look back on those memories with him and all the time you spent here in the UK. We appreciate your time sharing with us. 🤍 Jess x
Before retirement, eight years ago the company I drove for rented matting to IWM Duxford and it was my job once a week to go around the site changing the mats at various locations, you walked over two at the entrance to the first building you entered.
you viewed the Hawker Siddeley Harriet but the bit you failed to mention which makes it unique is its a jump jet,the world's only true V/STOL aircraft (vertical and / or short takeoff and landing.It saw active duty during the Falklands war.During the mid 70s to mid 80s we lived in the village next door (2miles away as the base covered a big area)to RAF Wittering,Cambs which was the main Harrier base in the UK so we would regularly see them on training exercises.Night time ones were spooky because all you would see would be wing lights going up into the dark sky vertically
That sounds like a pretty impressive aircraft, and to be able to see it during flight must have been a true treat. Thanks for the comment. Cheers, Chris
i absolutely love IWM Duxford!! its got a lot of really cool historical stuff you cant really find in other places in the UK !! if you are ever in the west midlands area RAF Cosford is another amazing aviation place to go to its a fair bit smaller than Duxford but still has quite a lot! and just a little north from that just next to the town of Nantwich is one of my all time favourite museums (other than the tank museum) of Hack Green secret nuclear bunker!! they are home to the largest collection of nuclear weapons in Europe! its an amazing place to go with lovely staff and a pretty cool collection of stuff all sat in a bunker!
Thank you so much for the recommendations. We will definitely try and check them out. We really appreciate it when you all share with us. We love to learn and share our adventures. 🤍 Jess x
As a brit, we are very proud of our aircraft museum at duxford near Cambridge. It's probably the finest aviation museum in europe . Why, you ask, well, Duxford played a big part in Britain's survival in the second world war. As did many other airfields around the uk . But even today, you can see vintage aircraft being restored to flying condition or take a trip in a vintage aircraft, ie spitfire to a tiger moth. Its just a wonderful museum. Lots of airshows during the year or at least towards summertime. So if your from the states and enjoy aviation please visit.
We completely understand it is something to be very proud of. We love learning all we can and appreciate the history. We really appreciate your time watching and sharing with us. 🤍 Jess x
As a child I lived in Saffron Walden up the road ,last time I was there was 20 years ago. Fun fact I then grew up in Southend-on-sea. The local airport had the Vulcan there for many years
Nice. Thank you so much for sharing your time with us. 🤍 Jess x
Jess sporting the Clint Eastwood look 😊
The Good. The Bad And The Beautiful 😀
Haha, I love it, yall! 🤍 Jess x
One of the great things about museums is you visit expecting to gain some knowledge and yet when you leave you are left craving even more knowledge.
I totally agree, friend! 🤍 Jess x
I love going to Duxford but ive not been for at least a decade. I love the A10 and the SR71 the buff just looks to big to stay aloft. I only live 40 mins north so maybe ill go again one day. The Buff was based 20 mins north i believe at Alconbury which is now housing. Theres just east of Duxford are the Lakenheath/Mildenhall fighter bases and 10 mins north of me was where the legendary Harriers were based. As a kid i loved seeing them in the sky. Have a great time during your visit best of wishes Duncan
Friend, I hope you get a chance to go again as well. We loved seeing all the aircraft it was such an amazing sight. The BUFF is such a magnificent aircraft. Thank you for sharing your time with us. 🤍 Jess x
Glad you guys enjoyed your visit to Duxford. I've not been there for maybe 20 years, it's one of the best museums in the UK. I treated myself and my late father to a flight in a 1930's biplane from Duxford, the American hangar is excellent, with many aircraft that us Brits would never get to see (SR-71 Blackbird, B-29 Superfortress etc).
The biplane, was it the two-seater Tiger Moth or the larger Dragon Rapide?
@@ArthurTanner-d7s It was the Dragon Rapide G-AIDN, Green and cream, from Clacton Aero Services.
@@neilfoster814 Twenty or so years ago? I may have been your pilot.
@@ArthurTanner-d7s That's awesome Arthur!!
That is a great story and crazy that you and possibly your pilot at the time both watched the video. Cheers, Chris
Hi de hi you two, that was a nice day out for you, I have been there a long time ago, great to see all those aircraft again, three cheers to you oo thanks
Thanks for the kind words. We truly enjoyed our time out. Cheers, Chris
Its massive, did you go in to the hangers between the museum buildings?
There are loads more aircraft and you can see the restoration work.
We live not far away (near the lavender farm you visited) and you have to go many times to cover it all.
Nice video!
You are right, we did not know just how much was there until we were actually walking it and trying to take as much in as we could. Glad you liked the video. Cheers, Chris
If you visit the UK you have to go to Duxford, this video only showed a fraction of what is there. Also, not far away is the Shuttleworth Collection, which are typically older planes. About an hour and a half away you have the RAFM museum at Cosford which is free to enter, however, you do have to pay £7.50 to park your car. These three are must a do if you like old military aviation.
I agree with you, friend!
Also, thanks for the other recommendations. 🤍 Jess x
My wife and I went to Duxford in 2018, it's a fantastic museum. While we were there 2 A10s on their way back from Germany diverted to Duxford and did a couple of very low fly pasts over the runway.
That must have been a sight to see. I have seen them in training missions back in America and I do appreciate the warthog. Cheers, Chris
If you haven't been there yet, I would check out Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial. It's just west of Cambridge on the Madingley Road (CB23 7PH).
I would agree with you,the remembrance service is on the Spring bank holiday May 26th 2025 ,if you are still in the UK i can really recommend you visit.
We visited one on the 8 Nov and watched a Remembrance day held in London one of our friends was in the parade. We will look into make that service. We really appreciate your kindness. 🤍 Jess x
@@DaydreamersBarn If you are in the greater London area places of possible interest, Cliveden House (former home of the Astors), Taplow nr Maidenhead; John F Kennedy memorial at Runnymede, nr Egham. Several things of interest nearby (Magna Carter, RAF memorial); Brookwood War Memorial (also American section) near Woking; Winston Churchill's (he's half American) home at Chartwell, Westerham, nr Sevenoaks.
@@DaydreamersBarn Madingley Cemetery is designated 'American soil' - resting there are US aircrew - including one of the Kennedy family - the pilot of a bomber packed with explosives which was supposed to fly straight into a target - Kamikaze-style (after the crew had bailed out, of course). Stupid idea. It exploded shortly after take-off
I was there a few years ago, and a month later I was talking to one of the curators and I remarked about the cloth from The Wright Flyer which was almost hidden and they remarked there was nowhere else they could have it on display and preserve it from sunlight. I hope wherever it is now it is seen and appreciated as so many people walked past without even noticing it was there
We did not get to all of the items. I do not remember seeing that, but hopefully it stays preserved for generations to come. Cheers, Chris
Did gou visit the smaller hangars that have a lot of the WW2 aircraft? Lots of Spitfires in there and most of them are flying examples. Also hurricanes, at least 1 P51 and some others.
On my last visit I flew in the Hurricane and my dad in the Spitfire. So much fun!!
Unfortunately, we didn't have time to go into those but are planning a return trip! There is still so much to see and appreciate. 🤍 Jess x
This brought back many memories. The aircraft in the first hangar reminded me of the plastic model kits I used to build when I was young, and I also saw Concorde on one of it's first test flights as it flew from Fairford airbase which is only a few miles away. This is also from where B52's currently fly and I saw one this morning doing several circuits around the area as I was out cleaning horse paddocks. I'm even closer to Brize Norton, which in the 1950's was a base for B36 bombers (a bit before my time, but my parents told me about it).
We're so glad it brought back good memories for you. It was such a lovely experience. We're happy you came along with us and shared your time. 🤍 Jess x
At 9.52 in your video that stub of a wrecked aircraft fuselage in the corner is a part of Rudolf Hess's Messerschmitt he flew in to Scotland in 1941.
Oh, thank you for sharing with us. We really appreciate your time. 🤍 Jess x
Hiya Jess, Chris Colette and Shane, oh how my eyes lit up when I saw where you were 😊.
It's been a long time since I last visited and being an aviation enthusiast I watched in awe at how the exhibits were displayed.
My favourite U.S aircraft are the A-10 Thunderbolt, that nose cannon is incredible and the swingwing F-111 from RAF Upper Heyford ( U.H. ).
Thank you so much my friends for making this plane spotter very.
happy . A truly wonderful experience.
Take care and have a lovely Thursday. ✈️❤️xx
Stephen,
We are so glad this video lit up your eyes! The exhibits were very well put together. Love the planes flying over head as we walked from building to building.
We spent over 2 hours there, and we still feel like we possibly need to make a return trip to see what we missed.
I have to say aircraft are so fascinating. I have so much respect for pilots and all aviation crew! The A-10s are some very unique and exciting aircraft! I will look up the F-111.
I'm so happy we could put a smile on your face. We hope you have a lovely day! 🤍 Jess & family x
@@DaydreamersBarn Hiya Jess and Chris, seeing the B-17 on display I just wondered if you have ever seen the film "Memphis Belle" about a USAF crew based in Eastern England during the second world war. I think you might like it my friends. xx ♥
Stephen,
I haven't watched that movie. I will see if we can find it. Thank you for the recommendation! 🤍 Jess x
I don't know if you found the sign on the SR-71 but that one in Duxford is the one that set the sustained altitude flight record, 85,000 feet in 1976.
That is impressive for sure. Thanks for sharing. Cheers, Chris
Lots of love here for the Mossie. It's well deserved. When l was growing up the two best days of the year were Christmas and whenever "633 Squadron" was on TV!
Love it. Thank you for sharing with us. We really appreciate your time, friend! 🤍 Jess x
I've never been to Duxford but I really like the way that they have the aircraft laid out. I bet that Short Sunderland flying boat and the Fairey Swordfish could tell a few stories. And that Lysander and Mosquito they have so many iconic aircraft.
Friend, it's definitely a wonderful experience, and I highly recommend checking it out. It's worth it. I would recommend a full day to explore. 🤍 Jess x
There is a based lysander which still operational. Often see it at the air shows
You guys should go to the imperial war museum London SE1 6HZ 😁😎 ps: they didn't assemble the jeeps they were carried in the gliders , if you have time check out the "Austin Champ" the UK version of jeep .
@RodgerMoore-m3r ...they were also assembled from crates dropped...plenty of videos on here showing they were also assembled after being dropped in crates 👍
We have talked about that one. Hopefully we can make it there. Thanks for the comments, gotta love the jeeps. Cheers, Chris
I visited this museum a few years ago and loved it. I was so excited to finally see an SR-71. Watching the Spitfires taking off was great too.
Thank you for sharing your time with us. It truly was a lovely experience exploringthe Museum. 🤍 Jess x
It's a great museum,have been many times, if you ever find yourselves in Palm Springs I would definitely visit their aircraft museum, we visited by chance whilst on a road trip and had a great day.
Thanks for the recommendation, we might have to check that out if we are that way. Cheers, Chris
A really lovely video. Having Chris as the resident expert was a bonus I am surprised that there is an entry fee. I thought that all IWM installations were free. However, it is well worth the money. Many thanks for taking us along with you.
Thank you, friend! It was fun having him explain things to us. He was in heaven.
It was a hefty price for us all to get in, but well worth the money spent to get in. We loved and still feel we need to return. 🤍 Jess x
IWM London & IWM North are free. The others - Duxford, Cabinet War Rooms & HMS Belfast charge an entry fee.
The two RAF Museums - Hendon & Cosford - are free.
I really enjoy all of your videos and this one brought back some happy memories of seeing the SR71 flying from Mildenhall in the late seventies. Officially it was never there but I often saw it taking off at dawn for the long flight to spy on Russia. One night in the Bell Hotel (a popular drinking hole for US airmen back then) I saw two airmen with SR71 patches and asked them if they were Blackbird pilots. One of them put on a very official sounding voice and said 'No sir, there are no Blackbirds in Mildenhall'. Then he winked!
That is a great story to have. The SR71 is a very impressive aircraft. Thanks for sharing. Cheers, Chris
The silver aircraft 5:06 is a Canberra. These are still in use with NASA with some modified/modernised engines. They cannot fly quite as high as the U2 but I believe are much easier to operate.
I did not know that about it. Thanks for the info. Cheers, Chris
We've been here many many times, it's a very good museum. You'd need more than a day to see everything. Another place to visit is the American Cemetery at nearby Madingley .
We loved our time exploring. It's a little expensive to spend more than just a day. Thank you for sharing with us. We did visit the American Cemetery, and it was such an honor to pay our respects. 🤍 Jess x
As ever, an excellent video from your lovely family. I'm one of the first men in my family to have not joined the RAF since its' inception after the 1st World War. I was a London teenager in the '60s, when hippy culture, "make love not war" etc. hit us full-on - so the RAF wasn't going to happen for me!
Even now I find Duxford (and the Imperial War Museum) fascinating, yet sobering and depressing - a museum largely dedicated to the history of the ingenious ways we've found to kill each other.
Surprisingly when you look in to the IWM It's really very anti-war!!
Friend, I understand and appreciate your time sharing with us. We really wish we could all find peace. 🤍 Jess x
That was totally absorbing ; the variety of aircraft ; different designs, shapes and sizes and how they managed to place them all in clear view is very impressive. The ongoing maintenance will require special skills, and I'm thinking that engineers will give their time free for the opportunity to 'get close' and intimate. I'm ashamed to admit that although I'd heard of Duxford I hadn't imagined such a huge and significant site. Brilliant, and thanks for the 'awakening'. Cheers ! Sheffield South Yorkshire.
Friend, same! It was so magnificent and breathtaking to be able to marvel at them and share with you all. Ever area was well put together and organized. We loved spending time with such a cool experience, something new to us. 🤍 Jess x
Thank you for another great video. I had also enjoyed my visit to Duxford a few years ago.
You are very welcome. Glad you enjoyed your visit too. Cheers, Chris
If you are interested in other special interest museums, I think you would enjoy the Haynes Motor Museum. It is in Yeovil. Its huge! Can spend all day there
Lovely, thank ls for the recommendation! I am sharing the recommendation with Chris now. We really do appreciate it 🤍 Jess x
@@DaydreamersBarn to add to that, about 5 miles from the Haynes Motor Museum is Fleet Air Arm Museum , which is the largest museum of its kind in the whole of Europe
The tank museum at Bovington in Dorset is also a just see!
The F117 nighthawk was the 1st "stealth" aircraft, There were Spy Planes before, but there weren't "Hidden". The U2 was a ultra high altitude plane that flew on the border of space it took the invention of SAM to make this plane redundant. The SR71 still holds the speed records for a jet engined craft and it was able to out run the missiles.
Both of these were traceable on radar, it's just little could be done to stop them doing their missions.
The technology and engineering is quite amazing when you see what has been done in the short years since the first aircraft that flew. Cheers, Chris
An argument could be made that the Mosquito was the first 'stealth' aircraft, and in a way the forerunner of the SR-71. Made entirely of wood, it was extremely difficult to pick up on the radar of the day. And in its initial form carried no weapons, like the SR-71 it relied on speed for reconnaissance missions and was simply able to outrun other planes. - the big difference being that the SR-71 flew at extreme altitudes to avoid weapons systems, while the Mosquito - especially on combat missions flew incredibly low, since at high speeds and low altitudes they could fly over anti-aircraft guns in seconds, moving faster than the guns could be aimed
@@adrianmcgrath1984 I get where you are coming form, but that means that any wooden plane could be classed as a "Stealth" aircraft. Making the Wright Bros Flyer not only the 1st successful powered flight but the 1st stealth aircraft as well :)
I believe that for an "stealth" designation it should have been built with that as the concept.
The Mossie was made out of wood for 2 reasons, it was a resource the Brits had at hand, and the people who made it were piano making carpenters. It was a fantastic aircraft but any "stealth" capabilities were coincidental and not part of the design.
For those reasons i can't call it a "stealth" aircraft.
@@Tommy-he7dx The Wright brothers had no radar to evade
That first, four engined flying boat was a Short Sunderland, known as The Flying Porcupine by the Germans. They were used a lot for anti-submarine duties. The dark biplane near it with the tail gun position was a Fairey Swordfish or 'Stringbag' used for carrier operations and the high wing monoplane hanging from the roof was a Westland Lysander, a slow-flying spy dropper.
That is an interesting fact. I did not know that about The Flying Porcupine. Thanks for sharing. Cheers, Chris
@DaydreamersBarn Made them all in Airfix when I was a kid!
When I was in North West Florida, I happened to come across the US National Air Museum in Pensacola, fantastic facilities and pure by chance. Four days later. I was back in Orlando where I saw the space shuttle launch at the end of September 1994 and as the Welshman and I kid you not one of the astronauts was Tom Jones. not the Tom Jones, but a Thomas Jones, pure serendipity and a wonderful experience?🇬🇧🏴🇺🇸👏
Thomas Jones is a very common Welsh name. There were so many Thomas Jones in my Great Uncle’s Welsh Regiment that they were known by the last 3 digits of their army numbers.
@@neilhayz1555 Believe it or not, Tom Jones was named after the film from the 1960s. His surname is actually Woodward and a lot of his family were actually English, to me He was Welsh born and is British🇬🇧🏴🇬🇧
@@WILLIAM1690WALES - I had to look up Tom Jones birth name! My grandma had 3 brothers and for some strange reason they were all called Thomas, surname being Jones. They all served in the Welsh guards and then in the mines. They moved to Ashton-u-Lyne for better wages. My Mam told me Thomas Jones was a hugely popular male name in Wales. It’s probably what her grandmother told her. I am now wondering if my Mams family were just mad as fish.
Sounds like quite a place to visit and see directly after. Thanks for sharing and commenting. Cheers, Chris
Last went there in 2017 and can see all the same aircraft but some have been moved around. Probably will go again next year as I'm only 2 hours away. Another amazing museum to visit is Bovington Tank Museum in Dorset will go back there again someday. Living im Norwich I pass a Avro Vulcan and an English Electric lightening everyday as I pass the Norwich Aviation Museum.
We will look at getting to at least one of those museums if we are able. Thanks for the recommendation. Cheers, Chris
The Biplane landing is a de Havilland Dragon Rapide from the 1930's they offer flights on it, I was lucky to be one taking a low level tour over London. Glad you enjoyed the day, worth keeping a watch on the airfield as they are usually taking up warbirds for test flights all the time.
Love it! Thank you so very much for sharing with us. We really appreciate it. We really love exploring. 🤍 Jess x
Hi Laughed at your comment at 18.45m as I did hit my head on the B17 when I worked at Duxford as a visitor guide/security officer. Enjoyed your video.
Glad we could make you laugh. Apparently I am the only one that really has to worry about that in our family. Cheers, Chris
Good to see a different point of view, im there 4 or 5 times a year and take it for granted, reminds me to appreciate what we have
We are glad to share with what England has to offer. Cheers, Chris
Great video. Have you visited the American war cemetery at Madingley ? It's close to Duxford.
Thank you. We did visit it was such an honor! 🤍 Jess x
Oh no you should have lingered at the Electric Lighting and beautiful Avro Vulcan. Both iconic aircraft. Mark Felton productions has videos on both. Love Duxford. The cafe did a lovely lemon and poppy seed cake, when I last visited.
We were trying to get in as much as we could so we did not have much time to linger unfortunately. Otherwise we would have. Cheers, Chris
Another place near here is RAF Thorpe Abbotts. Its about an hours drive away from Duxford (to the East). Its about 4 miles from my house and its the air base where the Masters of the Air unit flew from. Its not a huge place but if you loved the show then its worth a visit.
Fantastic friend! We will look that up and try and pay a visit. Thank you for the recommendation. 🤍 Jess x
I have two abiding memories of my trip to Duxford.
One was touching the SR-71, a plane that could fly to altitudes above 80,000ft!The second was the size of the "Counting the Cost" memorial down the side of the USA building. Very sobering.
I understand your feelings. It's amazing to see one we have lost and the ones who made history. We're so honored to be here and being able to experience this all. 🤍 Jess x
And the B24 Liberator you were walking by at the 18:12 mark was actually traded for an Eagle Squadron Spitfire which is presumably on show at the Udvar Hazy Centre.
Very interesting we didn't know thank you so much. 🤍 Jess x
For anyone who's confused, that is NOT the Imperial War Museum. IWM Duxford is a secondary site with aviation exhibits. The actual IWM is at Lambeth Rd, London SE1 6HZ.
@@thisismossop ..and at Trafford Park, Manchester!
We also want to check out the one in London! IWM Duxford is a branch of the IWM.. 😉 🤍 Jess x
Straight past the TSR 2 ! ..... and a bit more recognition in the museum's display of American aircraft, which is only to be expected. Glad you enjoyed it all.
It was a lovely time exploring. We are definitely hoping to go back and see more of what we may have missed. 🤍 Jess x
They've moved things around a bit in the American part since I was there last. I hope you had time to look in the three other hangars and the open buildings behind, such as the plotting map room.
We had to bypass a couple because of time. We will try to make another run to get to all of them. Cheers, Chris
I have been to Duxford twice this year as my 11-year-old grandson is mad about aircraft and could name all of them. Fortunately, it is around 30 minutes away from me. You walked past the twin towers memorial at 15:40, displaying a twisted girder from the site. Having recommended it I am relieved that you all enjoyed yourselves. They have air displays every year. When you see the size of these aircraft it is hard to believe that they could lift off the ground.
We noticed the twin tower memorial but we were trying to see all we could before it closed. We did enjoy it, so thank you for recommending it. Even after being stationed with the B-52s, I still don't know how they lift off the ground, lol. Cheers, Chris
The SR 72 blackbird as I understand is the only one on display at Duxford outside the U.S.A. as some of them were based in the UK when on active service.
71 to be correct. Very privalidged to have had the 71 based here in the UK, not that far from this museum
@@wildweasel105RAF Lakenheath I believe. Prior to 9/11 the annual airshows there were awesome
Yes, the SR71. I corrected it on the screen. It's incredible that it is entrusted to our allies! We are so honored to get to learn and appreciate such lovely museums. 🤍 Jess x
Duxford is amazing, indeed. Great to see the current line-up in your video. Its several decades since I visited Duxford, sadly, so it is really interesting to see the current displays. I last went just after the superb US collection was first opened. Even then, I was just blown away. Most of all, when I saw, from a distance, a TSR-2 in the then-line up on the apron in front of the main hanger. I could not believe it. If you are a fan of UK military aviation, you know. You walked past it in the main hanger - which contains a good number of British world-beating designs - at around 6:30. Its cancellation - like Canada's Avro Arrow - remains highly-controversial to this day.
Yes, the Sunderland flying boat is amazing. The U-boats had a different view, and the Luftwaffe called it "The Flying Porcupine". That Spitfire is a Mk24 - the final production version, and SO much faster and capable and more advanced than the Battle of Britain early versions. Its just amazing, how this superb design was able to be developed and developed.
That BUFF dominates the brilliant US hanger! Other than first seeing the TSR-2 at Duxford, the only other aircraft I ever saw that came close to making such an impression on me was the similar B52 at Ellsworth AFB, SD. Part of another superb collection. You really have to get up close to one of these, to realise just how big it is? Indeed, all that visit to Ellsworth made a HUGE impression, since it included a tour to see the (now-decommissioned) Minuteman missile silos. On a grey, eerie afternoon in the massive big-sky country, after having been to see the hugely-atmospheric Little Bighorn Battlefield that morning. Don't let anyone say the US is short on history, and atmosphere from the past. Just more recent!
Adrian,
I do agree with you that it was massive and so well put together and so much to see and explore. We're so glad you enjoyed the video and seeing the line-up. We spent over 2 hours there. We felt like we needed to return to see even more. We didn't know that about the Canadian part being possibly controversial.
The Buff is my all-time favorite, as I have mentioned many times. It's so incredible to see them take off and land. We loved the smell of coffee as we walked into the American Air Museum! This will be a stop we will recommend to others to pay a visit.
We're so glad you could come along with us and enjoyed spending the time with us. 🤍 Jess & Family x
the huge white plane was in fact the Sunderland Flying Boat, that took-off and landed on open water. my father flew the mk5 Short Sunderland out in the Indian Ocean between 1945 and 1947. he was based in Sri Lanka (Ceylon) at Koggala Lake. - a beautiful aircraft
It is a beautiful aircraft indeed. He must have had some stories from then. Cheers, Chris
Sunderlands - and a couple of other seaplanes do not get the recognition they deserve! Typically stationed on coasts, they tended not to fly over the countryside. And their missions were far out at sea, where very few would ever witness them.
The reason the uk managed to get through the war were the supplies that came across the Atlantic from Canada and America. There are many movies made about the convoys that crossed, and even more about the German U-boats that went out and hunted them.
What is less well talked about is that the trans-Atlantic convoys were most prone to attack mid-Atlantic, beyond the range of air support, out of distance for land based radar etc. There was basically a killing zone. It was the seaplanes that finally took away that extra danger, the Sunderland had a flight duration of 16 hours.
They had a top speed of just over 200 miles an hour, and a cruising speed of just over 100 miles an hour. That’s a very useful range of operating speeds, allowing the plane to get somewhere quickly, but then fly at speeds more suitable for convoy protection, search and rescues etc once they reached their location.
Their deployment changed the success of the convoys, saving lives at sea and making the shipping lanes far more effective.
Great tour of Duxford! It’s a massive site and grown so much over the years. It’s a shame Concorde is now a museum item. Always remember sitting in the take of lounge at Dulles Airport. Aircraft after aircraft taking off. When Concorde took off everyone stopped what they were doing to watch. Showing my age. Great day out thank you
Ray,
Thank you for coming along with us! Wish we were experts in Aircraft because it seems like we missed some goodies by the comment. I looked up information about the Concorde it was a very fast and interesting aircraft. I understand why people love it! I'm sure the sound and it being the fastest ever passenger plane would make everyone stop and take note. Unfortunately, retired in 2003. Love learning about different things. I appreciate aircraft and the Duxford IWM for having such a wonderful collection to share with everyone. Thank you for the love and support! 🤍 Jess & family x
Dulles.
@ yes typo there should have said IAD🤔
Ray,
Typos happen, love no biggie. 🤍 Jess x
An incredible place. I was there around 10 years ago while I was in the area. So much to see, it took me 4 hours to get round it all..
It is massive! We had a lovely time exploring and experiencing such history. 🤍 Jess x
The very first plane you stood over on the gantry was a Handley Page Hastings TG528. My father was the navigator on that plane in May 1949 during the Berlin Airlift. In December 2007, the museum allowed my father back on board.
I'm pleased you enjoyed your visit to Duxford.
Wow, thank you for sharing. I'm sure your dad was moved. Thank you for taking the time to share about your dad and the plane he was Navigator on.
🤍 Jess x
Thanks for the tour! Hope to make it there someday. I hope the food & the weather hasn't put you off returning 😂
Glad you enjoyed it. We hope you can make it as well. Cheers, Chris
Sorry that you missed some of the details surrounding the American Aiir Museum, in particular, the engraved glass screens each side of the door, extending all the way down the inclined path.
On those you can see every aircraft lost in action in the air war in Europe during WW2, divided into type and unit. It is sobering to think of the number of young airmen who never made it home.
Also near Cambridge, you can visit the American Cemetary, where many of those who lost their lives in WW2 and came back in damaged aircraft, so mostly in the air war, but also I believe some victims from ground forces, are buried. We keep them safe for you, and it is our honour to do so.
I'd have loved to act as your tour guide at Duxford, as I live locally and know the site and the collections it houses fairly well. I have my own membership, so I'm only limited by my mobility, although there are very few places a wheelchair can't reach on the site. Clearly, that does exclude the inside of the aircraft which are accessible to more mobile visitors.
We definitely agree we missed some and hopefully, we can return to see even more. We did visit the American Cemetery on Nov 8th, so show our appreciation and respect for those who gave all. We appreciate your time sharing with us. 🤍 Jess x
1:34 That my American friend is the Harrier "Jump Jet" the first and only truly succesful VTOL aircraft during the cold war. The Americans also bought and manufactured them under license as the AV-8 series.
2:15 That is a Sunderland flying boat. Used as a bomber and a spotter aircraft
2:58 The silver thing is a Spitfire. Mark 22 I believe with the Rolls Royce Griffin engine.
3:45 That is an Avro Lancaster. Our equivalent of the B17.
4:18 The Mosquito was a wooden fast attack aircraft designed to get in and get out before the Germans could organise a fighter interception. Powered by 2 Rolls Royce Merlin engines that also powered the early Spitifres and Lancasters
6:32 On the left is a *TSR2 and on the right is the infamous Avro Vulcan. Our nuclear deterrant and was succesful in dropping simulated nukes on America twice.
7:10 English Electric Lightning I believe one of the fastest NATO aircraft of the cold war roughly on par with the F104 Starfighter
10:38 Right is a BRITISH Challenger 1, left is a Russian made (probably Iraqi) BMP
11:05 That tank is a soviet T54/T55 probably again Iraqi from Desert Storm based on the camo scheme
11:42 That is a German Jagdpanther
11:54 Soviet IS 2
12:06 T 34 85 (left) and SU 85 (right)
13:20 That is a German mobile mine (can't remember the full name) which was remote controlled to drive under enemy tanks and blow them up
14:06 that is indeed an A 10
14:23 Well spotted. Love a good B52
Also might I recommend the Bovington Tank Museum. Biggest tank collection in the world including the only running Tiger I left
The one on the left, at 6:32, is a TSR2 (there is a Jaguar at 9:26 though)
Oh yeah thats definetly not a Jaguar lol oops @@swanseadel
Thanks for sharing the information. There was a lot to take in so the break down is nice to see. Also, we have heard about the tank museum. Sounds pretty tempting, we might have to try and work that one out. Cheers, Chris
@@DaydreamersBarn No problem :)
The Tank Museum is an amazing experience but it is basically on the southern coast in Bovington so it might be quite a trek to get there
My fav plane the mosquito or the wooden wonder
Love how yous are so in awe of them and even more respect to the people who flew both allied (i know hubby is a us serviceman) and axis
And love the civillian stuff aswell
The planes are amazing, but yes, the respect must be given to the ones who flew them. It was not as easy as driving a passenger car down the road. Cheers, Chris
This is a fantastic place. Glad you enjoyed it. So much stuff to see it’s hard to fit in to just one day.
I agree so much to see and one day is definitely not enough time. It was a lovely experience and hopefully we get to return. We appreciate your comment. 🤍 Jess x