There have recently been quite a few films and documentaries on the work of Bomber Command during WW2 which I have watched with interest. So when granddaughter, aged three and a half, said that she wanted to see aeroplanes, I was pleased when a family outing to Duxford was organised. Granddaughter has visited the RAF Museum at Hendon a few times, but at Duxford some of the planes actually fly.
I felt privileged to see two Spitfires doing aerobatics and the only airworthy Flying Fortress in Europe taking off and heading for an air show nearby. Granddaughter did notice that there was “a lady in a bathing costume” on one side of the nose of the bomber, but didn’t see the lady in considerably less clothing on the other side.
While the rest of the family headed into Hangar 1 to see the exhibits and activities for children, husband and I waited to watch the Flying Fortress take off. It’s a bit of a come-down to learn that they could not function properly without a fighter escort.
By the time we caught up with the rest of the family granddaughter had already launched several missiles, drawn pictures of aeroplanes and visited Concorde. I have always been rather scared of planes suspended from the ceiling above my head, but was given a lesson in sangfroid by granddaughter, who walked round gazing up at all the planes.
This was the highlight of the visit for me. The Mosquito is often described as the most under-rated aircraft of the war and reputedly had Goering foaming at the mouth at the idea that a little wooden and canvas plane, easily produced in almost any factory, could inflict so much damage on Germany. As well as flying on their own, they were used as pathfinders for the heavy bombers like the impressive Lancaster. Sitting there with its bomb bay doors open and all its bomb load standing beside it. It is, as husband says, “a beast”.
There is much more to see at Duxford, but small girls get tired easily so we stood down and retired to The Mess cafe for refreshments
Boadicea's Chariot 
Hi Sheona. There was a superb program on the BBC about the last flying Mosquito, entitled “The plane that saved Britain” http://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-plane-that-saved-britain/4od#3551114
Whoops, Channel 4, not BBC
Yes, FEEG, that was one of the documentaries I watched. Pity the only airworthy Mosquito is in the USA.
I’m sure you will know of the Spitfire that is suspended from the ceiling of Kelvingrove art gallery and museum, Sheona. Impressive as this sight is, seeing them flying would be something else.
I’ll have a go at this image in comments thingy. Wish me luck.
Sheona, dear Lady –
One of your pictures didn’t display for me – and I guess it didn’t display for other Charioteers either. This was because it isn’t in the media store.
Now, you probably think that it is because you can see it, and it shows up in the editor when you (or an Admin) go there to check the code. But WordPress’ file structure is quite complicated, and they make use of cached files and other hidden doohickies (!!), so what you see is not what you get, sometimes. 🙂
I have copied the hidden version and re-saved it in the media store and changed your code accordingly so that it’s now visible to everyone. I hope.
Your pictures are far too big (2500 x 1500 or so), but no worries. Probably your attempts at cropping had the reverse effect to what you anticipated, but I say this only for the fun of it – it really doesn’t matter. 🙂
Oh – I’ve added a more tag, too. 🙂
Looks like great fun.
That’s one of the nice things about children, we always try and fill their days and end up filling ours! 🙂
Duxford, amazing place. Took the kids there some years ago and couldn’t get round it all in a day! It used to be a bit crowded ( with aircraft) I remember a Vulcan “V” bomber with three or four other ‘planes parked under its wings.
Mornin’ Sheona. I have not had the opportunity to visit Duxford, but it looks like an excellent museum. I have recently been gifted a number of aviation books signed by the authors such as the ATA pilot Jackie Moggridge. These, together with my grandfather’s RFC logbooks, will go to the RAF Museum in due course.
Granddad was an interesting chap. He flew with the RFC towards the end of the Great War and was still serving when the RAF was formed on 1st April 1918. I have his RFC pilot’s brevet and his ‘new’ RAF one together with tunic buttons and belt buckles. These too will go to the Museum.
OZ
Hm, Duxford. Thinks, close to no. one daughter. Day out for the family one day.
Very interesting pictures, thanks.
Bearsy dear boy, thank you for your help. I remember you did put up a link to posting photos (for the technically illiterate) but could you please repost it. Thank you.
Sheona, in case Bearsy’s time zone delays his reply, please see Images at the top of the page. It’s all there! 🙂