Post by NWAN Administrator on Mar 4, 2011 13:18:54 GMT 1
Every cloud does have a silver lining!
For the last 2 years I've been mainly working outside the UK (hence, the slow progress on the flightsim stuff and also my lack of interaction with the forum!). However, this year instead of traveling each week, I've started staying over in Berlin every other weekend. This therefore gives me a chance to see things other than work, hotels and airports!
Last weekend I decided to go out to the former RAF Gatow airbase, now the Luftwaffen Museum. It's not very well advertised out here and I only found out about it by accident from a Google search for something else!
www.luftwaffenmuseum.de/
None of my work colleagues, most of whom are Berliners, new much about it either!
Anyway, all I can say is, if your in Berlin with a few hours to spare (and the weather's nice - the aircraft are virtually all outside), it's well worth a visit.
There are over 100 aircraft, most of which are from the Cold War era. So lots of Migs, Sukhois and Mil helicopters plus a spattering of NATO stuff, most of which are parked on the aprons and taxiways. Most of the outside aircraft are starting deteriorate and I don't know what the preservation policy is, so don't leave it too long to visit!!!! There are also several hangers with exhibits in, although these are not always open (only one hanger and the tower were open when I visited, sadly not the hanger with the Mig 29 and the Phantom in :-( so I'll have make another visit :-) )
Entry is free and although the journey from the centre of berlin was a bit of trek (U Bahn to Spandau and the 135 bus to Gatow) it only cost 2.30 Euro each way (just over an hour traveling time)!
I spent over 3 hours wandering around and took numerous photo's (only had my 'toy' camera with me though, another excuse to go back!).
I'll upload some photo's when I can get to a computer that isn't behind a corporate firewall!
Cheers,
Paul
For the last 2 years I've been mainly working outside the UK (hence, the slow progress on the flightsim stuff and also my lack of interaction with the forum!). However, this year instead of traveling each week, I've started staying over in Berlin every other weekend. This therefore gives me a chance to see things other than work, hotels and airports!
Last weekend I decided to go out to the former RAF Gatow airbase, now the Luftwaffen Museum. It's not very well advertised out here and I only found out about it by accident from a Google search for something else!
www.luftwaffenmuseum.de/
None of my work colleagues, most of whom are Berliners, new much about it either!
Anyway, all I can say is, if your in Berlin with a few hours to spare (and the weather's nice - the aircraft are virtually all outside), it's well worth a visit.
There are over 100 aircraft, most of which are from the Cold War era. So lots of Migs, Sukhois and Mil helicopters plus a spattering of NATO stuff, most of which are parked on the aprons and taxiways. Most of the outside aircraft are starting deteriorate and I don't know what the preservation policy is, so don't leave it too long to visit!!!! There are also several hangers with exhibits in, although these are not always open (only one hanger and the tower were open when I visited, sadly not the hanger with the Mig 29 and the Phantom in :-( so I'll have make another visit :-) )
Entry is free and although the journey from the centre of berlin was a bit of trek (U Bahn to Spandau and the 135 bus to Gatow) it only cost 2.30 Euro each way (just over an hour traveling time)!
I spent over 3 hours wandering around and took numerous photo's (only had my 'toy' camera with me though, another excuse to go back!).
I'll upload some photo's when I can get to a computer that isn't behind a corporate firewall!
Cheers,
Paul
