Dig deeper into the history of IWM Duxford’s exhibits
with a series of fascinating Special Interest Days for 2010
Special Interest Days are presented by IWM Duxford’s Department for Learning and feature a
range of specialist speakers. There is surely something for all interests within the absorbing
range of subjects on offer.
Built for Speed
Special Interest Day
Saturday 27 March
10.30am to 4.30pm
Marshall Auditorium, AirSpace
This Special Interest Day takes an in-depth look at three jet aircraft that can be seen in the
IWM Duxford collection –English Electric Lightning Mk I, BAC TSR-2 and Avro 698 Vulcan B2.
To introduce the day, Douglas Downer Smith puts the theme in context with a lecture that
discusses the experimental research into rocket and jet aircraft undertaken during the 1930s
and 1940s. He particularly examines the German Heinkel 176 aircraft.
Wing Commander John Ward discusses the English Electric Lightning from the perspective of
the pilot’s cockpit and describes the exhilaration of flying the Royal Air Force’s first
supersonic fighter.
Ray Whitford considers the controversial and ultimately ill-fated BAC TSR-2, while Miriam
Tong, of Vulcan to the Sky examines the history of the Vulcan and the restoration of the
Vulcan XH558.
This Special Interest Day takes a detailed look at the history, politics and technology that is
integrally interlinked with the development of the jet aircraft.
Ticket Prices:
Adults (16-59 years) £21.50
Seniors (60 + years) £16.40
Students £13.20
Disabled £9.90
Members of Duxford Aviation Society, Friends of the Imperial War Museum, Friends of
Duxford and volunteers £9.90
All ticket prices include admission to Imperial War Museum Duxford.
Operation Weserubung
Invasion of Denmark and Norway
War Game Day
Saturday 1 May
10.00am to 5.00pm
Learning Spaces, AirSpace
Looking at the ‘what if’ of history, this war game day recreates the strategic position of
Operation Weserubung and looks at the alternative outcomes of the operation.
Completely interactive, the day is designed to enable participants to step into the shoes of a
historical military commander. The day also gives participants the opportunity to take part in
history and enact the role of a historical figure. The day will be run by Dr Paddy Griffith who
is an ex-Sandhurst lecturer, military historian and war games expert.
It is imperative that you email paddygriffith@tiscali.co.uk as well as booking online, before the
day to confirm your attendance and to receive your pre-game brief. You can also select
which team you wish to play on and you can even select a historical commander (operated on
a first-come, first-served basis).
Ticket Prices:
Adults (16-59 years) £21.50
Seniors (60 + years) £16.40
Students £13.20
Disabled £9.90
Members of Duxford Aviation Society, Friends of the Imperial War Museum, Friends of
Duxford and volunteers £9.90
All ticket prices include admission to Imperial War Museum Duxford
Tanks and armoured fighting vehicles of the Second World War
Special Interest Day
Saturday 12 June
10.30am to 4.30pm
Marshall Auditorium, AirSpace
This Special Interest Day offers a detailed look at ground combat and land warfare during the
Second World War, focusing on vehicles that can be seen on display in Land Warfare Hall.
Nigel Montgomery discusses restoring a legend – bringing three Churchill tanks back to life,
while Michael Gibb explores the work of the SdKfz Military Vehicle Foundation. Both
speakers not only consider the history of these armoured warriors but also discuss the
vehicle restorations that they are currently undertaking.
Using photographs of the restoration in progress, together with images from the IWM
Duxford collection, the speakers will discuss restoration problems and answer participants’
questions.
Ticket Prices:
Adults (16-59 years) £21.50
Seniors (60 + years) £16.40
Students £13.20
Disabled £9.90
Members of Duxford Aviation Society, Friends of the Imperial War Museum, Friends of
Duxford and volunteers £9.90
All ticket prices include admission to Imperial War Museum Duxford.
Duxford, Spitfires and the Battle of Britain
Special Interest Day
Saturday 11 September
10.30am to 4.30pm
Marshall Auditorium, AirSpace
Duxford, Spitfires and the Battle of Britain explores, in greater depth, the momentous events
of Britain’s ultimate air campaign and considers RAF Duxford’s role within the Battle of
Britain.
Carl Warner, Research and Information Manager, Imperial War Museum Duxford, provides
an overview of the Battle of Britain. Stephen Woolford MBE, Head of Interpretation and
Collections and IWM Duxford, discusses RAF Duxford’s specific role within the aerial conflict.
Howard Cook, pilot for Historic Aircraft Collection, waxes lyrical about the thrill of restoring
and flying a vintage Spitfire. A stalwart feature at IWM Duxford’s air shows, Howard has
piloted all Historic Aircraft Collection aircraft, is an Honorary Commander of the 493rd
Fighter Squadron, US Air Force, and also flies for Vintage Wings of Canada.
To conclude this fascinating day, James Nicolson tells the amazing story of his uncle Eric James
Brindley Nicolson VC. Flight Lieutenant Nicolson was the only Battle of Britain pilot, and
indeed the only RAF fighter pilot, to be awarded the Victoria Cross during the Second World
War. His inspirational story is truly incredible and marks him as a revered member of ‘the
Few’.
Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the Battle of Britain – its historical context, heroic
pilots and iconic aircraft.
Ticket Prices:
Adults (16-59 years) £21.50
Seniors (60 + years) £16.40
Students £13.20
Disabled £9.90
Members of Duxford Aviation Society, Friends of the Imperial War Museum, Friends of
Duxford and volunteers £9.90
All ticket prices include admission to Imperial War Museum Duxford
Operation Herkules
Invasion of Malta
War Game Day
Saturday 16 October
10.00am to 5.00pm
Learning Spaces, AirSpace
Looking at the ‘what if’ of history, this war game day recreates the strategic position of
Operation Herkules and looks at the alternative outcomes of the operation.
Completely interactive, the day is designed to enable participants to step into the shoes of a
historical military commander. The day also gives participants the opportunity to take part in
history and enact the role of a historical figure.
The day will be run by Dr Paddy Griffith who is an ex-Sandhurst lecturer, military historian
and war games expert.
Ticket Prices:
Adults (16-59 years) £21.50
Seniors (60 + years) £16.40
Students £13.20
Disabled £9.90
Members of Duxford Aviation Society, Friends of the Imperial War Museum, Friends of
Duxford and volunteers £9.90
All ticket prices include admission to Imperial War Museum Duxford
Surviving the Great War
How Tommy coped in the trenches
Special Interest Day
Saturday 20 November
10.30am to 4.30pm
Marshall Auditorium, AirSpace
This Special Interest Day looks at the human experience of war as endured by the Tommy in
the trenches. Rachel Duffett discusses food in the trenches and how the logistical problem of
transporting nutritional food to the Western Front had a direct impact on the ability and
morale of the British Army.
Frank Fletcher examines the evolution of the sniper in the First World War. The deadly
sharpshooters of the trenches changed the nature of modern military warfare.
Mike Roper looks at the emotional welfare of the Tommy and how a letter from a loved one
or a food parcel from home could raise the troops’ spirits immeasurably. Adrian Barlow
looks at the role that entertainment played in the life of the Tommy, particularly how the
rousing songs, which have stayed in the British consciousness through the generations, could
lift the hearts of the infantrymen.
This Special Interest Day looks beyond the military strategy of war to the lives of the
individuals who suffered life in the trenches.
Ticket Prices:
Adults (16-59 years) £21.50
Seniors (60 + years) £16.40
Students £13.20
Disabled £9.90
Members of Duxford Aviation Society, Friends of the Imperial War Museum, Friends of
Duxford and volunteers £9.90
All ticket prices include admission to Imperial War Museum Duxford
General Information
Special Interest Days run from 10.30am to 4.30pm.
They will be held in the Marshall Auditorium in AirSpace. Please enter the Museum through
the Visitor Centre. There is a maximum capacity of 200 for Special Interest Days.
War Game Days run from 10.00am to 5.00pm. They will be held in the Learning Spaces in
AirSpace. Please do not enter the Museum through the Visitor Centre, instead follow the
road around behind AirSpace and look for the signs for Corporate Parking. There will be
signs at the rear entrance of AirSpace to direct you into the building. Please have your ticket
ready to show to admissions staff a proof of purchase. There is a maximum capacity of 50 for
War Game Days.
Refreshments are not included in the price of Special Interest Days or War Game Days.
There will be time set aside during the day for those who wish to purchase food and drink
onsite. The Schools Picnic Room will be available for those who wish to bring their own
refreshments.
For further information on Special Interest Days andWar Game Days, please contact Philip
Sawford, Informal Learning Manager on 01223 499 342 or email psawford@iwm.org.uk
Imperial War Museum Duxford is just south of Cambridge at junction 10 of the M11. Ample
free parking is available. For a full list of Duxford’s air shows and other exciting events in
2010, including half term activities for families, visit www.iwm.org.uk/duxford or telephone
01223 835 000.
