Museu do Ar Alverca and Sintra

There’s also an F-86 Sabre, a T-33 Shooting Star, a Cessna T-37 and an Alpha Jet outside now.

I visited Sintra on a Sunday and likewise there seemed clear access to the runways. There was model aircraft flying going on.
The only 2 large aircraft outside were an Orion and a Neptune. (see Lynx815’s correction below) Well worth the journey just to see the Neptune.

I visited the Sintra museum in August and was impressed. Three Euros entrance fee. I wasn’t alone but it definitely wasn’t busy. What surpised me was that you there was no fence between the aircraft outside the museum on the hardstanding and the operational runway/taxiway and airbase site. I didn’t test access however. Worth a visit.

I would like to thank everone for their assistance.
I visited the Naval Museum and both of the Airforce museums last weekend. To get to Alverca I used the local train ( every hour) that virtually took me to the door. A limited number of airframes but an extensive collection of engines and guns. The 2 military staff were the only people around and they were re-building a Tiger Moth. They said access to the stored airfames on the airfield was not possible. I suspect I was the only visitor that day (Open Mondays only) Most of the airframes were duplicated at Sintra. To reach Sintra I took the train to the town of Sintra (every 1/2 hour) then a local taxi who agreed to return in 2 hours to collect me. A very new museum with lots of airframes but few smaller displays. And there were few visitors only 2 cars outside. There was a cafe with no-one manning it.
I have still to check out what I might have missed in addition to the store. The only thing that strikes me was the replica Hurricane. Still working through the photos but here is one for mk12.

I am certain the PPO doesn’t apply any more . Certainly I turned up at the gate in 2006 and was let in no problem. The museum has regular opening hrs.

Thanks for the advice but I gave up driving when abroad. I found that it spoilt the holiday. Thats why i am attempting to pre-plan using local transport.

Robert

I stayed at Cascais on the Lisbon coast a few years ago and got to Sintra easily by local bus, which took about an hour or so. There are plenty of local buses that go there (check Portugal bus routes and timetables).
On arrival at the town centre, I then got a local taxi which only took about 10-15 minutes and the taxi driver was very helpful in his broken English. The Sintra collection is only open by PPO but the guard room called the duty Sergeant who escorted us around the collection. Even got access on to the ramp to shoot the PAF Cessna 337s and Aviocars. When I finished, the guard room called the taxi back and I reversed the journey.

Alverca is only open on Mondays, Sintra is open every day except Mondays and holidays.

Transport to Sintra AB isn’t easy if you don’t go by car. There is a bus stop right at the base entrance but I don’t know anything about that route…
Location: http://goo.gl/maps/ncqac

Alverca is very easy to go to by public transportation, it’s right next to the train station. Since Sintra opened, their exhibit lost most of the interesting stuff…

Next to Mosteiro dos Jerónimos, it’s the Navy Museum. They only have 3 planes, the Farey IIID used in the final leg of the “famous” South-Atlantic Raid, a FBA and a Widgeon, but it´s worth a visit if you are in the area…

If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

Regards:
João

Robert -the lists are not really kept very up to date . This site gives a feel of Alverca http://clear-to-land.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/alverca-air-museum.html.

I have to add I wouldn’t contemplate going to Lisbon without visiting both ! Alverca has the dump area and OGMA visible in the distance whilst Sintra has the operational Chipmunks and the superb museum. Alverca is small but well worth viewing and Sintra continues to grow very nicely!

Thanks for all the assistance.
I have translated the Portuguese pages but although they say the museum has moved to Sintra but Alverca still seems to be open. Any suggestions about where I can the current airframes at each location. I am more intereted in the older aircraft.

The museum website is quite up to date and gives details of what is at Alverca and Sintra. There is also the storage compound at Alverca where if you ask in the museum thye might take you there and have a look. Alverca is loosing exhibits to Sintra and I can see in the future that Sintra will take over entirely as there is far more room for expansion and the climate is better at Sintra.

Thanks for all the assistance.
I have translated the Portuguese pages but although they say the museum has moved to Sintra but Alverca still seems to be open. Any suggestions about where I can the current airframes at each location. I am more intereted in the older aircraft.

European sat nav is the answer to stress ! Sintra is a UNESCO world heritage site so you should be able to get a bus up there – just be prepared to do some walking to the airfield!

I would hire a car if you plan to visit both ! And make sure you get the collision damage waiver!

Thanks for the advice but I gave up driving when abroad. I found that it spoilt the holiday. Thats why i am attempting to pre-plan using local transport.

http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthread.php?112524-Vintage-Portugal&highlight=Sintra

Mark

I would hire a car if you plan to visit both ! And make sure you get the collision damage waiver!

This works through Google http://www.emfa.pt/www/po/musar/