I visited the IAF museum Wednesday 02MAR05 before I flew on to Karachi and Cairo. In addition to the previously mentioned colorful paint schemes, these are a few other things that I noticed. I’m not griping or complaining, just pointing out a few things I saw.
I don’t know how much of the Whapiti it is real and how much is a mock up, but the wheels and tires look like they were taken off a truck and the engine is wooden. But I gather that it is the only one around so I guess beggers can’t be choosers. The Hurricane, Tempest and Lyslander all seem to have industrial castors for tail wheels. The spinner isn’t quite right on the Hurricane. It’s too small in diameter and doesn’t fit right. The Spitfire’s right side engine cowling was being held in place with wire and one blade of the prop had a chunk missing out of it. The landing gear on the Spitfire were tied together with a chain, to keep them from spreading apart and collapsing.
One thing that they don’t have to worry about is weak tow bars. They were pretty beefy and some of them seemed to weigh as much as the planes!
I was told that there was another potentially airworthy Spitfire in another hanger, but I wasn’t able to get in to see it. I did see a nice looking Vampire through the door though. There were two new Iskras out with the transport planes between the hangers. I say new only because they weren’t there the last time I visited the museum.
I don’t think I’d call the IAF Museum world class, but I’d definately put it on the “must see” list. I don’t mean to bad mouth the museum as I know that they do what they can with what they have. All in all, I think they do a pretty good job. I’ve been to Delhi several times over the years and always enjoy myself. The Indian people are some of the most polite I’ve ever met and there’s never a shortage of things to see and do. Of course you do have to learn to look past the rampant poverty and filth! But it’s worth the trip.
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