Society’s birthday bow from Concorde marks landmark Duxford date
Duxford 40th anniversary: The Concorde nose operation is demonstrated to a packed audience. - Credit: Archant
An iconic Concorde took a bow when the Duxford Aviation Society celebrated a landmark date.
Duxford 40th anniversary: visitors explore the interior of the Airspeed Ambassador. - Credit: Archant
Members and guests gathered to mark the society’s 40th anniversary at IWM Duxford.
The society is a voluntary organisation which came into being in 1975 and is a partner organisation of the museum.
It exists to preserve historically important British civil airliners, support the work of the museum and promote knowledge of the development of British civil aviation through acquisition and restoration.
More than 200 members enjoyed a full day at IWM Duxford, with events that showcased the range of Duxford Aviation Society’s scope of activities.
Duxford 40th anniversary: Captain John Hutchinson, British Airways Senior Captain (Retired) talks about his time as a Concorde pilot - Credit: Archant
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Chairman David Garside spoke about the society’s past, present and future and Gary Beach, who heads the group’s military vehicle wing, gave background about the machines which they restore and run for museum visitors to enjoy.
And retired British Airways pilot John Hutchinson gave an entertaining talk about what it was like to be at the controls of a Concorde.
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Society volunteers then demonstrated the nose operation on the Concorde which the society owns and operates, and which is on display in the AirSpace exhibition at IWM Duxford.
Guests were also shown the group’s newly-restored Airspeed Ambassador before getting the chance to explore the entire collection of civil airliners and military vehicles.
Mr Garside said: “The society was formed in 1975 and this 40th anniversary event is an opportunity to celebrate and recognise the enormous contribution DAS volunteers have made in numerous ways to the successful development of IWM Duxford since the airfield was saved from dereliction in the 1960s.
“It is also an opportunity to highlight a number of recent achievements and to set out the society’s plans for the future.”
