Saudi Arabia Aircraft Museum?

It is indeed open to the public, I’m certainly no-one special:)

As far as I remember it was open from 10:00 – 14:00 then 18:00 to later? Please check first as I’d hate to ruin your visit.

It doesn’t seem that well advertised as our hotel knew nothing about it, kept trying to send us to the National Museum, full of old buildings and boring stuff like that;)

We went on a Thursday morning and were the only ones there, it being their weekend this seemed a bit surprising but we were told it gets busier in the evenings.

Hope you enjoy it,

John

Is the museum open for public, or off limits for anyone not on official business with the Military? I may be heading to Riyadh for a quick visit soon, so would appreciate any info on how to gain entry, if at all possible…

HUNTER IDENTITY

She is ex RAF FGA-9 XJ634, We tried to source appropriate tailcone etc but to no avail in the timeframe we had to complete the job, I will post some photos of the aircraft during restoration shortly.

Happy Days………….

Anyone know what the origins are of the restored Hunter is it a Saudi aircraft or a restored RAF or Swiss machine?

I agree with David. This looks like a restored RAF FGA.9 to me.

The Saudis received 4 Hunter F.60s which were pretty much just standard F.6s redesignated with an ‘export-style’ mark number.

The presence of a brake ‘chute and ERUs on the outer pylons means that the one in the museum is not an F.6. Compare with the attached photo of an ‘original’ Saudi Hunter, in this case 60-603.

She is an ex RAF U.K sourced machine from memory.

Anyone know what the origins are of the restored Hunter is it a Saudi aircraft or a restored RAF or Swiss machine?

Hunter outside looks distinctly “modified”! A bit short, and a fin that kind a looks erm, homemade….:)

Loos like a complete mock up to me, airfield decoy maybe?.

Undercarriage is totaly wrong, fuselage way to fat, tail all mushy and the canopy is definatly fabricated from old coat hangers!!, only the wings look like they could have come from an old airframe:D .

John.

Carpetbagger, your pics have turned me a deeper shade of green!!,
I would one day love to go to this museum as it looks really good.

The Lightning is beautifull, although it is a Saudi Lightning she started life as an F.2 heading for RAF service when just prior to delivery was bought back by BAC and modified to F.52 standard for the ‘Magic Carpet’ contract.

Last recorded as derelict in Riyadh back in 1981 and then moved to a hanger in 1999 for restoration as part of the museum, starting life as an F.2 explains the lack of underwing stores and the four gun fit in the nose.

This airframe, on paper at least, is almost virginal as it has only 257 hours on the clock and looks in superb condition.

Regards,

John.

Hunter outside looks distinctly “modified”! A bit short, and a fin that kind a looks erm, homemade….:)

Are the Wapiti and DH9 behind it FSMs?

I believe they are. The Wapiti most definitely as it has a wooden engine.

Thanks for looking,

John

Are the Wapiti and DH9 behind it FSMs?

Roger Smith.

The T-6G appears to have an unique rudder. Wonder what that originated from?

Martin

Anything to oblige.

A couple more Hunter pics.
The Buckaroo showing the rear of the cockpit. I noticed this while visiting but didn’t think much of it at the time, too interested in the other stuff!
And a couple more of the Lightning, just because I like it and a bit more detail of the tail, as mentioned in the other thread.

Wish I could go there if only to see the Lightning, she looks inspiring.

John.

Is it just me…or does the T-35 Buckaroo look a bit off around the rear canopy? (Picture #4 in reply 8)

Hunter

Aah nice to see she is still looking good, it looks as if they have closed up the inner main gear doors for some reason, doesnt look right with them up as they should be down.

Glad you enjoyed the museum the High Octane Hunter is a mock up they built as a stand in until I arrived with the real thing.

Do you have any more piccies of the Hunter I would love to see them, I have some piccies of the Hunter during restoration and repaint here in UK I will dig out and post.

Nice Photos……

A few more…

Found it

The museum is indeed located at the north-east corner of the old Airport, now a military site, just off the eastern ring road. I managed to get in a visit on Thursday during some very uncharachteristic Riyadh weather!
Any info on Pic.4 appreciated, looks like a Hunter on too much High Octane!

Butler 01, Your Hunter is still there, looking very nice.

Neither of the Lightnings shown have any engines in them. The DC-3 was Saudi Airlines first aircraft, recently restored (BA? :rolleyes: )

As far as I could find out it is open daily (except maybe Friday) from 9:30 to 11:30 and from 17:30 to 20:30.

John

SAUDI MUSEUM HUNTER PHOTOS

Sorry for delay couldnt find CD with photys, house move recently still packed.I took some photos of my photos showing Hunter in museum as well as some of the other exhibits.

Butler 01

Thanks everyone for your efforts.
I will now make every effort to get a visit whilst in Riyadh.
Any decent photos I’ll have a go at adding, looks a bit dark inside though and it won’t be until the end of February.

Thanks again,

John