From fascinating talks with guest historians and IWM experts to film screenings and photography evenings, there’s plenty to fill your calendar in 2023 at IWM Duxford. Mark the 80th anniversary of the Dambusters raid, commemorate Duxford’s time as home to the US 78th Fighter Group, and immerse yourself in summer 1940 with our Battle of Britain season. All this and much more.
See below for highlights or visit their website to explore all upcoming events.
May 16, 2023 – Immerse yourself in the Dambusters legend
The legendary story of the Dambusters comes to IWM Duxford as part of a series of events to mark the 80th anniversary of the famous raid. Join us for a full day of talks exploring different aspects of the raid, the planning behind it, the aircraft used, and the men of the 617 Squadron tasked with carrying it out.
Further your knowledge with in-depth accounts of the events of the night of May 16, 1943, when 19 Avro Lancaster bombers took to the skies to take part in Operation Chastise, an audacious mission to strike at the heart of Germany’s war effort.
The event will consist of four one-hour lectures from guest historians and IWM experts, each followed by an opportunity to ask your questions to our speakers. There will also be an opportunity to view an original briefing model of the Sorpe Dam in IWM’s collection, which was used to brief aircrews ahead of the raid.
Daily between May 13th -19th – Dambusters 80th Anniversary Tour
Mark the 80th anniversary of the legendary Dambusters raid and experience a special tour exploring the history and engineering behind it. Join one of the museum’s experts for an opportunity to go inside the rear fuselage of Duxford’s Avro Lancaster bomber, KB889 – the same type of aircraft flown by the Dambuster crews. You’ll also see an original ‘Up Keep’ mine, otherwise known as the famous ‘bouncing bomb’, of the kind used in the raid.
In addition, audio-visual material by renowned digital artist Piotr Forkasiewicz will help to explain how the bouncing bombs were used, how they were attached to the aircraft, and how they were released during the bombing mission. The tour will conclude with a unique opportunity to view an original briefing model of the Sorpe Dam used by Wing Commander Guy Gibson to brief the aircrews before the raid in May 1943.
Duxford Presents: The Dam Busters (1955)
Join IWM DIxford on the 80th anniversary of the Dambusters raid for an after-hours screening of the 1955 film The Dam Busters. This experience includes a special tour exploring the history and engineering behind the true story.
Starring Richard Todd as Guy Gibson and Michael Redgrave as Barnes Wallis, the film is considered a landmark in British cinema. It tells the story of Operation Chastise when, in 1943, 19 Avro Lancaster bombers took to the skies for an audacious mission to strike at the heart of Germany’s war effort.
Visitors will also hear from one of our experts about the raid and enjoy an opportunity to go inside the rear fuselage of Duxford’s Avro Lancaster bomber, KB889 – the same type of aircraft flown by the Dambuster crews. There will also be a chance to get up close to an original example of the famous ‘bouncing bomb’. In addition, audio-visual material by renowned digital artist Piotr Forkasiewicz will help to explain how the bouncing bombs were used, how they were attached to the aircraft, and how they were released during the bombing mission.
The tour will conclude with a unique opportunity to view an original briefing model of the Sorpe Dam used by Wing Commander Guy Gibson to brief the aircrews before the raid in May 1943. The film screening will commence at 8:30 pm.
Visit their website to explore all upcoming events.
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