Places to go
Where can you see a real Spitfire? Where can you go to explore the aviation history of this famous aircraft? ICONS has been busy on your behalf...
Science Museum
In August 2005, the Science Museum unveiled a new temporary exhibition called Inside The Spitfire: Personal Stories Of Britain’s Most Famous Plane.
The exhibition opened to mark the 65th anniversary of the Battle of Britain and offers a spectacular view of the most famous British fighter plane of the second world war, stripped down to its original structure and deconstructed to reveal the complexity of R J Mitchell’s design inside.
Inside The Spitfire also includes personal stories of the people who built, maintained and flew the legendary aircraft. The exhibition runs until January 2007.
Address: The Science Museum, Exhibition Road, South Kensington
Imperial War Museum, London
The museum covers conflicts involving Britain and the Commonwealth from the first world war to the present day. It tries to provide an understanding of the history of modern war and how it directly affects our lives.
Objects in the museum’s collection range from tanks and aircraft to photographs and personal letters.
The Large Exhibits Gallery is the setting for some of the most important weapons and vehicles in the collections and has a Spitfire Mark 1A hanging from the ceiling – an impressive sight!
Address: Lambeth Road
Imperial War Museum, Duxford
Duxford is Europe’s premier aviation museum – it also has one of the finest collections of tanks, military vehicles and Naval exhibits in the country. The site began as an airfield in the first world war and also played a vital role in the second world war.
The British Aircraft Collection at the museum shows how Britain has played a major role in the field of aircraft design and construction. Among the military and civil aircraft usually on display are numerous Spitfires – including a rare example of the ultimate version, the Mk 24 – a Bristol Fighter, Avro Lancaster and a de Havilland Mosquito.
Address: Imperial War Museum, Duxford
Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms
Not long after becoming Prime Minister in May 1940, Winston Churchill visited the Cabinet War Rooms to see what preparations had been made to allow the war cabinet to continue working throughout the expected air raids in London. He went on to direct the war from here. Highlights are the Map Room, the Cabinet Room, and the room where Churchill slept if getting back to 10 Downing Street was too dangerous.
The Churchill Museum is the world’s first major museum dedicated to the life, work and achievements of Winston Churchill and is a permanent exhibition housed within the Cabinet War Rooms.
Address: Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms, Clive Steps, King Charles Street
Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Visitors' Centre
The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight operates a Lancaster, five Spitfires, two Hurricanes, two Chipmunks and a Dakota. From 1986, in a unique arrangement between Lincolnshire County Council and the Royal Air Force, it became possible to view these historic aircraft at close quarters at their base at RAF Coningsby.
The aircraft are all still flying and can be seen at a variety of air shows in the summer months. Visitors are led on a guided tour around the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight hangar by guides who are keen to ensure that the public appreciate this living tribute to the sacrifices made by RAF aircrew and ground crew during the second world war.
There is also a permanent exhibition gallery exploring Lincolnshire’s links with the RAF, plus regular temporary exhibitions.
Address: RAF Coningsby, Dogdyke Road, Coningsby
