Duxford Air Show D Day Celebration - June 1, 2024

Arriving by train from Durham on Friday, I tucked in at the Holiday Inn at Duxford, preparing for the big day tomorrow at Duxford. 

Taxi to the air show got me there before the gates opened at 8am. Immediately I am so glad I paid extra to get the Gold Experience! Shorter line to enter, directions to the Gold area which has it’s own tent and front row seating, it’s own catering and toilets! Having a covered area proved very valuable as the day wore on and the wind picked up. Sadly it was overcast and and cold; glad I bundled up!

The atmosphere reminds me of a music festival. People bringing in lawn chairs, coolers, sun shelters and all manner of comforts for the day. Although they expected 20,000 participants (they were sold out) once in the gates it didn’t feel crowded.

I spend the morning wandering through the museum hangars on site. Terrific! I clocked my 5 miles of walking before the air show even started!

Security and safety protocols were rock solid and there were plenty of first responders were on hand.

The air show itself started a little bit after noon. Many of the planes were lined up on the tarmac so you could do a walk by before hand. Several were delayed and a couple canceled due to the crosswinds: parachuting teams and the wing-walkers were unable to perform. Still those that did fly were just amazing! 

By 4pm I was cold and getting tired so I bailed out early before the final flights. I hated to miss them but on the other hand, I know my limits and just felt “knackered” as the British say!