American Air Museum Reviews Summary

Aircraft and Exhibits

Pros:

• "It's literally touching history and it's awesome!"
• "Spectacular building with a dense and well displayed content."
• "A fantastic collection of historic and influential aircraft from across the decades."
• "This is an astonishingly great place. The collection of aircraft is astonishing and ranges from a 1930s biplane to an SR71."
• "The American Air Museum houses an astonishing collection of US aircraft and other exhibits, restored to very high static display standards."
• "Awesome museum. Not enough hours in the day to get around."
• "Absolutely amazing. We visited on an airshow weekend but almost wish we hadn't as there was just too much to see in one visit."
• "A big THANK YOU to this museum - my father's first cousin was killed in action over France when his B-17 plane exploded."

Cons:

• "All seems crammed into one hanger, felt it could of done with a second to space them out as they are literally over lapping wings on everything."
• "The only thing I couldn't do is take better pictures of the planes as they're quite cramped in some of these are absolutely huge."
• "This is the collections display of their American planes. It is very well stocked which does make photographing individual planes difficult as you often get a random wing in your way!"
• "Incredible collection of aircraft (almost too many) kind of hard to take photos."
• "The display is really cramped to the point it actually has a negative impact. There is a B-52, B-29 and a B-17 in there and its pretty hard to get a photo of the B-17, and impossible to get the B-29 or B-52 in a single photo."
• "So much to see and all of it worth while. My only gripe is because there is so much to see all under one roof, you lose the sense of scale of the B52."
• "Pity the museum staff have not taken the time to keep the dust off the exhibition (and floor), especially with Duxford air show tomorrow - thousands of visitors expected."
• "Most disappointing. Travelled quite some distance to find that the website is inaccurate and this facility is closed on Mondays - not open as the website states."

Visitor Experience and Facilities

Pros:

• "Leave your bags and give yourself all day. The American Hangar I'd easily done in 90 minutes... But you'll be here all day for the rest of the campus unless you're not aware of how wings create lift."
• "Arrived 5 minutes after doors open and rolled straight in through the member's door (if you plan on visiting more than twice in the year, membership is well worth it, check it out on the website)."
• "The volunteers are all very knowledgeable and like to chat about the exhibits as well which makes the whole experience even better if like me you are visiting by yourself."
• "If you are travelling from further afield, plan on 4 to 6 hours in good weather, book tickets up front."
• "Great day out, lots to see and do. Sadly didn't stay till the end of the day as it was way too hot, 32.5 degrees."
• "Well worth getting there. Have been a member for many years, but this was our first in person visit."
• "A fantastic experience. You need a good 4 hours plus to fully enjoy everything."
• "Great day out for all ages. Recommend getting an annual pass as there is plenty to see and do all year round."

Cons:

• "However the toilet situation for the amount of visitors was appalling. Only ones I could find what part of the museum and had to queue for between 10 to 15 minutes each visit."
• "I found it expensive with no student discount. Talks on Lancaster were extra. Café prices were expensive milking their captive audience."
• "A brilliant hanger, full of history. My only downside would be, that the shop is too small and the lady working there could do with some assistance. Also no air conditioning?"
• "I'm giving this 3 stars purely on the basis that I had no idea where to go. The museum has great content but has been curated and designed totally wrong, no directional arrows and not enough information supplied."
• "I am disabled and paid for a parking permit imagine my horror when we arrived just after 11 am on Sunday and was parked as far away from the display line as possible by the perimeter hedge."
• "Duxford is an amazing place to visit, however once again the attitude to rip you off once through the gate prevails. £3.40 for a bottle of water and a bag of crisps is scandalous."
• "Part of IWM Duxford, this building contains all American planes and equipment including the massive B52 and the amazing SR71 Blackbird. Well worth a visit and is included in the entry ticket for Duxford."
• "No significant change since the ceiling was sealed some time ago. I wanted to buy a sandwich but there was a HUGE queue and service appeared slow."