106 A505, Cambridge CB22 4RQ
American Air Museum, Duxford
Museum & collection
Place photograph
8.2
Wildland
Half day or longer for IWM Duxford
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Cost
Atmospheric
Feel
Why it's Wildland
8.2A memorial to the 30,000 US Army Air Forces personnel who died flying from Britain in the Second World War, set among aircraft that make the scale of aviation history tangible.
This is a museum with unusual physical scale and a clear human story: beneath the aircraft, a glass memorial records 7,031 American air-force planes missing in action from Britain during the Second World War. The American Air Museum is part of the wider IWM Duxford visit, for which IWM recommends allowing at least half a day.
Atmospheric · Grand
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The experience
Go for the aircraft, but give time to the people and losses represented in the collection. The American Air Museum is one part of IWM Duxford; IWM recommends allowing at least half a day to explore the wider site.
Things to do
Stand beneath the B-52 Stratofortress
Take in the scale of the B-52 inside the American Air Museum.
See the B-17 Flying Fortress
Get close to the B-17 highlighted by IWM as the aircraft featured in Masters of the Air.
Find the SR-71 Blackbird
See the Blackbird IWM describes as the only example on display outside the USA.
Pause at Counting the Cost
Look closely at the glass memorial etched with 7,031 aircraft missing in action flown by American air forces from Britain during the Second World War.
See the World Trade Center steelwork
Find the twisted steelwork from New York’s World Trade Center, described by IWM as originating near one of the two impact zones.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · About 1 hour; suggested, not an official visit duration
Quick Escape: aircraft and memorial
- 01
Check IWM Duxford’s current opening and exhibition information before travelling.
- 02
Head to the American Air Museum and see the B-17 Flying Fortress and B-52 Stratofortress.
- 03
Pause at Counting the Cost and read the story behind its etched aircraft.
- 04
Finish with the SR-71 Blackbird and the World Trade Center steelwork.
Half day · At least half a day, as recommended by IWM
Make a half day of it at IWM Duxford
- 01
Begin with the American Air Museum’s aircraft and memorial displays.
- 02
Continue into other IWM Duxford exhibitions and preserved airfield buildings that are open on the day.
- 03
Look out for the wider collection’s aircraft and personal stories, checking in advance for exhibition changes and access.
Verified history
The American Air Museum is a memorial to the 30,000 members of the US Army Air Forces who died flying from Britain during the Second World War. Its collection tells stories of people affected by conflict from the First World War to the present. IWM describes the museum as holding the biggest collection of American military aircraft on public display outside the United States. Its exhibits include Counting the Cost, a glass memorial etched with 7,031 aircraft missing in action flown by American air forces from Britain. The museum also displays a piece of steelwork from the World Trade Center in New York.
Hidden details
7,031 aircraft etched in glass — Counting the Cost is a memorial sculpture whose etched aircraft represent those missing in action flown by American air forces from Britain during the Second World War.
A Blackbird outside the USA — IWM identifies the museum’s SR-71 as the only Blackbird on display outside the United States.
World Trade Center steelwork — A large, twisted piece of steel from the World Trade Center is displayed in the museum; IWM says it came from somewhere around one of the two impact zones.
When to go
· No specific time of day is established by the supplied sources. Check current opening information.
The main experience is indoors, and the supplied sources give no seasonal recommendation. Exhibition changes are underway, so check what is open before visiting.
The American Air Museum is indoors. Weather may affect the wider IWM Duxford visit; check current site information.
What to look for
Look beneath the aircraft for Counting the Cost, a glass memorial etched with 7,031 aircraft missing in action from American air forces flying from Britain during the Second World War. Compare the B-17 Flying Fortress with the huge B-52 Stratofortress, then find the SR-71 Blackbird, described by IWM as the only one on display outside the USA. The museum also displays a piece of steelwork from the World Trade Center.
The story
American military aviation; US Army Air Forces in Britain; Second World War and Cold War
Best time to go
Suitable year-round as an indoor museum; check IWM Duxford’s current opening and exhibition information before visiting.
No seasonal preference is established by the supplied sources. Check current opening information and which exhibitions are open before setting out.
How long to spend
Half day or longer for IWM Duxford
Perfect for
History lovers · Aviation enthusiasts · Families
Before you go
Address
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Listed hours
- Monday: 10am-6pm
- Tuesday: 10am-6pm
- Wednesday: 10am-6pm
- Thursday: 10am-6pm
- Friday: 10am-6pm
- Saturday: 10am-6pm
- Sunday: 10am-6pm
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
Part of IWM Duxford; entry to the American Air Museum is included with general admission to IWM Duxford. Check current visiting information before travelling.
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Parking
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Toilets
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Food & drink
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Dogs
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Accessibility
Source information reports a wheelchair-accessible car park, entrance, seating and toilet. Check current access details with IWM before visiting.
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Cost
Paid; entry to the American Air Museum is included in IWM Duxford general admission. Check current prices.
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Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around American Air Museum, Duxford
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
