Stories of WW2 airmen told in new museum galleries

13 December 2025

Katy Prickett

News image — Photos like this one of Lancaster pilots in 1940 were used as a reference to recreate the Pilot's Locker Room

IWM Duxford A black and white photo showing five pilots in a locker room at RAF Duxford in World War Two, getting ready for a mission. They are wearing uniform, and life guards. One man is sitting on the left and two on the right, each wearing a cap. They are looking towards the camera. Behind them are other standing pilots. — Photos like this one of Lancaster pilots in 1940 were used as a reference to recreate the Pilot's Locker Room

A museum has transformed three historic rooms to reflect their use by air crews during World War Two.

The Imperial War Museum (IWM) at Duxford is based at a former RAF station used by British, Canadian, Czech, Polish and American crews during the war.

Clothing, equipment and other personal items belonging to the men have been put on display for the first time.

Curator Adrian Kerrison said: "It has been wonderful to see visitors enjoy these new spaces."

"It has been a privilege to work on this project, which will give visitors the chance to experience Duxford as it was over 80 years ago," he added.

IWM Duxford A black and white image showing Lancaster pilots preparing in the crew room at RAF Duxford during World War Two. There are six men pulling on equipment and uniforms, one is opening a locker on the right. On either side are metal lockers. Behind them is a window. — It recreates a space used by RAF pilots from many nations in 1940

The first space recreates a pilot's locker room, dressed to look as it did when British, Canadian, Czech and Polish pilots took part in the Dunkirk evacuations and the Battle of Britain in 1940.

Mr Kerrison said visitors can hear recreated conversations between the pilots, including one involving 19 Squadron's George "Grumpy" Unwin and 302 Squadron's Julian Kowlaski.

IWM Duxford The glass display case in the Air Crew Room at RAF Duxford. There are four uniform jackets on display, including a leather flying jacket. There are also photos, documents and footwear. On the right is a screen showing a black and white photo of at least 10 US aircrew. — The new rooms give the museum a rare chance to showcase some of the smaller items in its collection, said curator Adrian Kerrison

The second focuses on the British and American aircrew who took part in the strategic bombing campaign against Nazi Germany

It displays objects, documents and photographs associated with pilots of the US 8th Air Force and RAF Bomber Command.

These include items belonging to US pilot 2nd Lt Lonnie Moseley who bailed out of his his P-47 Thunderbolt and went on the run in France.

IWM Duxford A black and white image showing at least 18 US pilots in 1943 at Duxford. They mostly standing in rows, sideways on and looking intently forward. They are all wearing US uniform, some with caps and some with peaked hats. — American Pilots of the 78th Fighter Group focused on receiving a briefing ahead of a mission in October 1943

The third space is the Pilot's Briefing Room, which has been dressed to look as it would have done in 1944.

American pilots of the 78th Fighter Group would regularly gather there to receive their orders and information vital to their missions.

"Huge amounts of research and attention to detail have gone into this, and like the 1940 Ops Block, I think visitors are really going to enjoy it," said Mr Kerrison.

Visitors can see a pre-mission briefing from one of the squadrons which flew to Normandy on D-Day.

"We've been eagerly anticipating the opening of the new Historic Duxford spaces and are excited that we're finally able to share with our visitors what we've been working on behind the scenes," the curator added.

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