Ben got a camera

The Sky, the Planes and the Bombs

Open doors to the Cold War aviation museum in Gatow, Berlin
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The first time we visited the Air Force Museum in Gatow (Berlin) was in 2014. We liked that visit, many photos of Cold War equipment were taken, but I did not write a post and upload photos then. I'm not an expert in military historical equipment, and during museum visits and exhibitions I often forget to photograph the exhibit plaques. Uploading just photos of "cool planes" I consider a useless cluttering of digital space. And I wasn't ready to delve into the topic back then.

This year, exactly eleven years later, we visited the museum again, and I decided it was time to write a post. With the help of ChatGPT and Google, it's very easy to identify exhibits and get some information about them, without making the notes from the infocards. Anyway, I won't overload the post with unnecessary text, but will simply convey impressions from a beautiful September day.

The museum is located in the former RAF Gatow airfield, which was used by the British Air Force until 1994. The museum was opened in 1994 and has been expanding its collection ever since. It is one of the largest aviation museums in Germany, with over 100 aircraft on display, including fighters, bombers, transport planes, helicopters, and gliders from various eras and countries.

You can get to the museum by train and bus from Berlin Hauptbahnhof in about an hour. There are two bus stops of line 135 near the museum, Kurpromenade and Seekorso, but it's about a ten-minute walk from them. By car, it's more convenient to get there, about forty minutes from the main station, and there is parking on the museum grounds. The entrance to the museum is free, and it is open from 10 am to 6 pm, closed on Mondays. There is a cafe and restrooms on the museum grounds. More information can be found on the official website, link at the end of the post.

The weather was perfect for photography, with a clear blue sky and some clouds. The light was soft and warm, creating a pleasant atmosphere. I used my Nikon Zf camera with a 24-200mm f/4 lens, which is versatile and suitable for various shooting situations.

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Republic RF-84F Thunderflash - a reconnaissance aircraft from the Cold War era, USA. I liked the blue sky with clouds and the green top of the plane against the green grass. And look the expression of the panther's face! Finest military art.
The Pitot tube is used to measure airflow. It looks stunning against the backdrop of thick clouds.
The Pitot tube is used to measure airflow. It looks stunning against the backdrop of thick clouds.
Su-22M4 - a fighter-bomber that was in service with the East German Air Force. A cheerfully colorful paint job, not typical for a military aircraft.
Su-22M4 - a fighter-bomber that was in service with the East German Air Force. A cheerfully colorful paint job, not typical for a military aircraft.
The aesthetics of war machines.
The aesthetics of war machines.
Dassault Mirage III - a multipurpose supersonic aircraft, France. Looks like it's straining to get into the sky.
Dassault Mirage III - a multipurpose supersonic aircraft, France. Looks like it's straining to get into the sky.
F-86K Sabre - an interceptor fighter, USA. Looks ready for a fight. (Literal: Don't put your finger in its mouth.)
F-86K Sabre - an interceptor fighter, USA. Looks ready for a fight. (Literal: Don't put your finger in its mouth.)
Maneuvering between the clouds. We'll find out the producer and model when the plane lands.
MIG-23, from Soviet Russia with love.
MIG-23, from Soviet Russia with love.
Like the smoke from the chimmney, cloud behind the radar tower.
Lockheed T-33A Shooting Star.
Lockheed T-33A Shooting Star.
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North American T-6 Texan and told its name. What is the mechanic doing?
The incident on the runway in seven silent slides.
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The boy and the giant from the sky.
The Union Jack. The memory of the former user of the air field.
The Union Jack. The memory of the former user of the air field.
Ford M151 MUTT, USA. Old and beautiful
Ford M151 MUTT, USA. Old and beautiful
MIM-14 Nike Hercules, USA. Simple deathly
MIM-14 Nike Hercules, USA. Simple deathly
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Magirus-Deutz Jupiter 6ร—6 and Pershing II.
Lets go inside and beware of bombs.
Lets go inside and beware of bombs.
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The first birds of war.
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Breguet Br.1150 Atlantic and Hawker Sea Hawk.
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The Empire strikes back. A cosy Star Wars con.
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The Patriot.
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1. MIM-23 HAWK, 2. S-125 Newa. The enemies of the Cold War.
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FuMG 65, the German radar from WWII.
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Lake LA-4-200 Buccaneer.
YAK-52.
YAK-52.
Taylorcraft Auster V
An-2
An-2
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An-2 preparing to start.
Starting
Starting
An-2 in the air.
An-2 in the air.
Auster and Stearman
Auster and Stearman
Boeing-Stearman Model 75, USA.
Boeing-Stearman Model 75, USA.
Stearman taking of.
Auster AOP6 leaves the ground.

The official site of the museum

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