Imperial War museum,  Duxford

Between March and June 2025, IWM Duxford's conservation team will undertake one of its most ambitious projects in recent years: the relocation of over 100 aircraft and large objects within the AirSpace hangar. This meticulous process involves lowering suspended aircraft and reorganizing ground-level displays to create a cohesive narrative focused on the Cold War and contemporary conflicts. Notably, visitors will have the rare opportunity to view iconic aircraft, such as the original 1918 Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8 and the versatile de Havilland Mosquito, at ground level for the first time in nearly two decades. A very good reason to visit the museum.

Another personal reason was to follow up the restoration of the Heinkel He 162, since my last visit in 2023.

As of early 2023, the restoration team at Duxford embarked on a meticulous process to uncover and preserve the aircraft's original features. Conservator Andy Marriott described the initial phase as a "forensic analysis" to reveal the original Luftwaffe paint scheme beneath layers of RAF markings applied post-capture. This involved carefully removing paint to expose the roundels and other authentic details .

By November 2024, the He 162 had been restored to a more complete state. The aircraft was back on its own wheels, and much of the green paint had been removed from the wings, revealing the original markings . This progress highlights the dedication of the restoration team and the importance of preserving such a rare artifact.

Visitors to IWM Duxford can witness the ongoing restoration of the Heinkel He 162 in the Conservation in Action hangar.The museum offers a unique opportunity to see conservators at work, ensuring that this piece of history is preserved for future generations .

As always a very nice visit. A dynamic museum.

More pictures can be found here.