Harvard and Spitfire Flying Experience Duxford
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About the experience
This most evocative of vintage flying experiences will transport you back to a golden age of military aircraft - the 1940s - with a warbird flight that’ll see you in a Harvard military plane, flying in formation alongside a Spitfire WWII plane from Duxford. The home of the Imperial War Museum, Duxford is by far the best setting from which to experience flying in these legendary aircraft, as the site itself is the museum, as well as the 200 different aircraft, military vehicles, artillery and small naval vessels that are on exhibition there. Your pre-flight briefing will actually take place in the original control tower that was used during wartime, so you’ll get to take in the full scope of the runways and aprons. After this, you’ll head on over to the magnificent Harvard. Originally constructed in 1943 by Noorduyn Aviation, this Harvard - code name FE992 - has a rich and varied service record, including time with the RCAF, as well as time in Sweden, Norway and Lebanon. It was used for civil aviation - mainly air show displays - from the mid 1980s until 2001. Its livery is Canadian “training yellow” with the distinctive red cowling and black anti-glare strip, just as the ones used in advanced trainers in WWII. Even stepping into the cockpit gives a sense of what those fighter pilots must have felt, the sheer nerves and adrenaline whilst waiting for take off. Once in flight, you’ll get to take the controls on this warbird, so this experience is very much a lesson as it is a flying experience. With the Merlin engine roaring, as you crane your neck to see the iconic Spitfire zooming into view beside you. Seeing the air-to-air view as you fly side by side is something military aviation enthusiasts are unlikely to forget for a very long time. Once the formation is over, you’ll head back to base, and as you land, you’ll be able to reflect on what a special moment you’ve been part of. Your time on-site will then include your own private guided tour of the Imperial War Museum - so not only will you have flown in a vintage North American warbird, but you’ll have got up close to a British one too!
- Welcome with tea and coffee in the original pilot briefing room at the 1940's control tower with views across the airfield
- Pre-flight briefing from your instructor and a walk around of the Harvard T6 that you'll be flying in
- A flight experience in the T6 Harvard where your pilot will demonstrate the controls and then give you the chance to take control yourself
- During the flight you'll join in formation with a Mk IX Spitfire and then chase across the skies above Duxford
- Listen in on the inflight radio communications between both pilots and air traffic control
- Whole day access to the 300 acre IWM Duxford site with a private guided tour of the historic and rare aviation collection
- Souvenir photograph alongside the Spitfire
- The Harvard flight duration is 30 minutes in total during which you'll be joined by the Spitfire for approximately 15 minutes (All flight times are 'chock to chock')
- Allow three hours for this experience, plus the rest of the day to view the museum
- Aerobatics are subject to weather conditions on the day
Information
- Weekends and selected weekdays from ,id-March through to mid-November
- All flights are weather dependent but don't worry if your flight is cancelled you can rebook for a convenient time
- Maximum weight 18 stone
- Minimum age 16, maximum age 80
- You must be agile enough to step up onto the wing and climb into the cockpit
- Voucher holders also get free entry to IWM Duxford with discounted entrance for accompanying friends and family
- A visit to Duxford is a day out in itself so leave plenty of time to look around
- You are welcome to bring friends and family along however they will need to enter the museum to view the flight
- Entry to IWM Duxford is compulsory for participants and accompanying guests. Guests will enjoy half price entry to the site, children under 5 go free
- There are a number of cafe's on site
Locations
- Cambridgeshire
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