berlin luftwaffen museum

Berlin luftwaffen museum visit 3/4/11

Just been for a long weekend to Berlin, and finally got to go to the luftwaffen museum
http://www.luftwaffenmuseum.com/ , which i missed out on when i went four years ago.

Based on the old RAF airbase at Gatow, which has had its runway chopped in half for a new housing development, it has an interesting mix of East and West German types, i enjoyed the visit but felt sad for so many aircraft and equipment that has just been lined up and left in the condition they arrived in, with no protection and little care seem to be given to the airframes. Unfortunately Hanger 7 which focuses on various stages in luftwaffe development including re-unification was closed, many other aircraft listed has being exhibited were also sadly missing, meaning several gaps in aircraft types.

The old control tower gave an exhibition on the history of the German airforce, with pictures and displays (unfortunately for me all in german!) upstairs was a history of Gatow, including its vital part in the airlift, fortunately partly in English. Hanger 3 included various Aircraft charting the history of german aviation, with side rooms with exhibits on different aspects of aviation, including engines, the arado 234 and me-163, The main points were in English. Although better laid out than the external airframes and obviously having a roof over there heads, the aircraft were very dusty and dirty. The aircraft outside were lined up in varying groups, but generally seemed a mish-mash, there was also a collection of radar and surface to air missile systems, of both western and soviet designs.

Although my report seems a little negative, i did enjoy my visit, where else can you see so many historic types, with such a variety of soviet and western aircraft,plus entrance was free, although it was quite a trek from the city centre, a 20 min train journey to spandau and then a wait for a 30 min bus ride and then nearly a miles walk from the bus stop, and with a lot of ground to cover, i suggest arrival by car! It was dissapointing that the display i was most interested in was closed and for a national collection, i would of hoped for more care. They seemed to be preparing for an event, so the shop and restaurant were closed, at least i can’t complain about sandwich price and quality like duxford, but i suggest anyone visiting take a pack lunch and plenty of liquids especially if it was is as hot as sunday!

I seem to have issues uploading my pictures on both here and photobucket, but will upload pictures when i can get them to work later!

Cheers.Mark