The Duxford Aviation Society
The Duxford Aviation Society (DAS) maintains the most important collection of post WW2 British Civil Airliners in the UK. The collection includes such iconic aeroplanes as G-AXDN, the fastest ever Concorde, and Comet 4 G-APDB, the first jet airliner to carry fare paying passengers eastbound across the Atlantic, on 4th October 1958. The Society aims to acquire, restore and display to the public civil aircraft that are representative of this country’s development of civil aviation. Several of our airframes are unique or represent benchmark airframes in terms of their state of restoration. DAS exists to provide an opportunity for people to see some of the aircraft that form the civil aviation heritage of this country. In addition to the airliner collection, the Society has a large and very active Military Vehicle Wing that helps to maintain the IWM's collection of armoured vehicles as well as others owned by the Society and some that are privately owned.
The Society shares the famous Battle of Britain airfield at Duxford near Cambridge with the Imperial War Museum and is a Partnership Organisation with the Museum. Duxford airfield is situated some ten miles south of the city of Cambridge on the A505, just off the M11 at junction 10. This famous World War I and World War II aerodrome is still an active airfield and home to a number of flying warbirds including the Sally B Flying Fortress. The airfield is the venue for some of the best warbird air shows in Europe. There are five main aircraft hangars including the AirSpace Aircraft Hall where Concorde is housed, and the unique American Air Museum. The Land Warfare Hall houses tanks and other military vehicles, weapons and other important exhibits.
Duxford Aviation Society is a volunteer organisation. We depend upon funds that we raise through our own efforts and upon voluntary donations, as we receive no government assistance. We have what is probably the largest collection of historic civil airliners in the hands of a volunteer group. The Society is a registered Charity.