Musée Européen de l'Aviation de Chasse, Aerodrome d'Ancone.

[viscount]

MUSÉE EUROPÉEN DE L'AVIATION DE CHASSE, AERODROME D'ANCÔNE near MONTELIMAR

FRIDAY, 1st JULY, 2022. 10:30 am until closed for lunch at 12:00.

On the edge of a quiet general aviation aerodrome, some distance south of Grenoble, is a fairly large civilian museum of military aircraft. Some 57 or so aircraft, some kept in doors, others (some a little sun-bleached) permanently outdoors. 8 euros entrance, fair value for money. Only 3 British manufactured types on show, 5 if you include two nose pod projects. Considerable change and expansion since my 2006 edition of Bob Ogden's 'Aviation Museums and Collections of Mainland Europe' book. Always good to visit an expanding museum, clearly with in-depth restoration in progress, although the numbers waiting for a 'freshen-up' well exceed those that have been worked on.

The Museum in the south-eastern part of France in Drôme, around half-way on the north-south route between Lyon and Nimes or Montpellier (which is on the South coast). Nearest city of any size is Valence a little to the north.

I'll list the markings (serial and unit codes) displayed, air arm nationality, type and comment. As you walk around, the hangars don't appear in the order listed here. Naturally, with so many rather nice aeroplanes gathered together, after the log there will be some heavy photo posts to illustrate.

			
	ENTRANCE AREA & HANGAR A.		
			
9454     	West German	Lockheed T-33A	     outside between car park and ticket office
		               (missile)	     outside between car park and ticket office
F-BMRU  	civilian	SVCAN Sv-4c	     centre-piece of a 'period' airfield re-creation
		no markings    (2 seat wood & fabric glider)	hanging over the ticket office
 -?-/110	US Navy	        A-7 Corsair (nose)   nose section only
J-2001   	Swiss	        Mirage IIIBS	
J-2304  	Swiss	        Mirage IIIS	     16 Sqdn.
R-2103   	Swiss	        Mirage IIIRS	     special tail colours
 -?-		                Mirage III (nose)    two seater fitted out as a simulator, nose section only
			
	HANGAR B.  On airfield side of the fence, not open to the public		
			
"55454"/UU-26	US Marines	OV-10B Bronco	     also F-AZKM, airworthy, formerly 158300
	                        possibly some smaller aircraft tucked in the back, behind the airworthy Bronco. Also beyond the fence:		
(99+27)	        ex German	OV-10B Bronco	     external storage, presumably as a spares source
418/12-CB	French   	Mirage IIIE           external storage	
			
	HANGAR C.		
			
(214)   	French  	MD 450 Ouragan	     two sides in different colours.  4th Escadre de Chasse, other Patroulle de France.
21/12-ZX	French  	Super Mystère B.2    Scorpion unit logo on fin
186/12-UT	French  	Mystère IVA	
116/ON  	French  	MS.760 Paris IIR	
30       	Aeronavale  	Etendard IV-M        Marine	
XD613/M   	R.A.F.  	DH.115 Vampire T.11  RAF (was once at Cosford)
mm6362/60-62	Italian  	Fiat G.91T	     (an ex WGAF aircraft?)
21 nose/73 fin	Swedish  	Saab Sk-37E Viggen   two seater (is serial fv37811)
	        French  	Mirage G.8	     manufacturer's FSM, nose + a wing
 -?- /5-NA	French  	Mirage 2000 (nose)   nose only, trailer mounted
37/30-FR	French  	Mirage F.1C	
 -?-	        was Swiss?	Vampire FB.6 (nose)  undergoing some work
 -?-	        was Swiss	Venom (nose pod with engine attached). Under active restoration
			
	HANGAR D.  Workshop - visible through large viewing panels		
			
423/13-GB	French  	Mirage IIIE	
 -?-/30-FE	French  	Mirage F.1B	     two seater, also unit 5-·· on air intake
			
	HANGAR E.		
			
4/315-UC	French  	SOCATA TB-30 Epslion
504/312-UX	French  	EMB-312F Tucano	      red & white scheme
499/	        French   	Potez CM-170 Magister special colour scheme
			
	HANGAR F.		
			
red 1910	Poland  	Mig 19	             (or maybe a Mig-17?)
black 28	East Germany	Mig 21UTI Mongol B	
red 582  	Russia  	Mig 23MF Flogger B   (once 20+03 GAF)
red 1221	Poland  	PZL Mielec TS-11 Iskra	
941	        Singapore	A-4SU Skyhawk	
152/67-01	French  	Sud Alouette II	     rather dusty in a side annex
49	        Aeronavale  	BR.1050 Alizé	     Marine
4	        Aeronavale  	F-8P Crusader	     Marine (once USN 151735)
31	        French  	Mirage IVA	
E28/7-PS        French          Jaguar E	     two seater
516/5-OL        French          Mirage 2000B	
			
	OUTSIDE ON DISPLAY.		
			
"14045/TR-045"	French          Canadair CT-33A	     (once 21121)
21113/314-UV	French          Canadair CT-33A	
                (no markings)   F-84F Thunderstreak  bare metal (was FU-29 Belgian)
J-4067   	Swiss    	Hawker Hunter F.58	
BA-53   	Belgian   	Mirage 5BA	      desert style colours, tucked away near airfield fence, a recent arrival?
 -?- /FG-903	USAF     	Lockheed F.104G	      was once FX-69 Belgian. 'Breitling' on tail
116/CE   	French   	SE.210 Caravelle III  Centre d'Essais un Vol, c/s F-ZACE
86/CG    	French  	Dassault Falcon 20C   test a/c with Mirage radar nose
"32023/R"  	French  	Douglas C-53C Skytrain	"Anjou".  Very recently restored
124/HF   	French  	MH.1521M Broussard    (at one time F-GRES)
172/319-DD	French  	MD.312 Flamant	      (at one time F-AZAI)
R217/64-GQ	French  	C-160D Transall	
NF.11-1  	French  	Gloster Meteor NF.11	
57/13-TD	French  	Fouga CM.170 Magister	
119/ -   	French  	Fouga CM.170 Magister particularly weather worn
460/312-JE	French  	EMB-312F Tucano	      grey overall scheme
40+18	        German  	Alpha Jet A	
A157/7-HH	French  	Jaguar A	
03/11      	French   	Mirage IIIA	
55/10-RN	French   	Mirage IIIC	
235/30-SK	French   	Mirage F.1CT	
04/      	French   	Mirage 2000	      particularly weather worn
505/ --  	French	        Mirage F.1 (fin only) complete fin and rudder	
 -? -	                        Douglas DC-7 (nose)   forward fuselage built into side of a hangar		
			
	ELSEWHERE ON AIRFIELD, basically there was actually not a a lot happening. 		
			
F-GIZH	       Cessna 172		
F-HJPS	       Robin DR.400		
	       Sportscuiser (or similar)		
	       ULM, Rans Coyote (ish)		
			
	ALSO:		
			
F-GEKG  	Robin DR.400	Overtook this on the motorway going northbound, certainly the whole fuselage, but I could not spot any wings.

[viscount]

MUSÉE EUROPÉEN DE L'AVIATION DE CHASSE, AERODROME D'ANCÔNE

As the museum has a fair few interesting aircraft on display, I snapped away with great enthusiasm! I'll split the images into two parts: those in rather cramped conditions inside and then those outside, on external display.



Between car park and entrance standing as a 'gate guardian' was restored West German Air Force Lockheed T-33A 9454



Entrance was through the end of Hangar A. Don't ask what type of missile that is, I didn't note it down!

HANGAR A



In the entrance is a delightful 'period' airfield diorama built around a SV-4C Stampe F-BMRU



With above it this restored glider, however did not find the descriptive placard to find the type.



Another diorama, this time involving the nose of an LTV A-7 Corsair as USN '110'.





Then, in Hangar A are three former Swiss Mirage III aircraft, J-2001, J-2304 and J-2103. J-2103 is a Mirage IIIRS and helpfully the nose camera bay is open, revealing multiple cameras. In the upper photo of this pair, part of a Mirage III two seater nose can be seen, equipped as a flight sim.



HANGAR F

Next on my way around was Hangar F, containing a number of 'cold-war' aircraft somewhat shoe-horned into the available space. The nuclear bomber Mirage IV is not a small aircraft, neither is the LTV F-8P Crusader. An unexpected type to find in a European Museum, although as the French Navy operated them quite reasonable when I think about it. Some aircraft were difficult to photograph, the Crusader and particularly the large Mirage IV, which only just fitted in the building.









A Polish marked Mig 15 (or -17?), an East German (DDR) marked Mig-21UTI Mongol B (two seater) together with a detail of tail markings and a Russian marked Mig-23 Flogger B, although this aircraft was operated by the East Germans and post-reunification the German Air Force as 20+23.



Polish Air Force PZL Mielic TS-11 Iskra



Aeronavle Breguet Alizé, number 45 in the later dark grew scheme. I much prefer the earlier two-tone scheme.



Somewhat out of place in a Museum of European Aviation, the A-4SU Skyhawk in Singapore Air Force colours. Can't recall any European air forces ever directly using Skyhawks. I'm careful with my wording as a few were used under civilian contract for dissimilar combat aircraft training.



Also out of place was this Alouette II, but it did neatly occupy a space provided by a small annex to the main hangar. Could do with a good clean - but as the only helicopter is a bit of a 'cinderella' in the collection.

HANGAR E







Next hangar was much smaller, Hangar E held just three training aircraft. A SOCATA TB-30 Epsilon, an Embraer EMB-312F Tucano and, clearly recently restored and in a fancy painted job a Potez CM-170 Magister.

HANGAR C



Another slight 'odd man out', but good to see preserved and indoors, a Swedish Air Force Sk-37E Viggen, unusual in that it as the two-seat version. This aircraft rather dominating one end of the largest of the hangars, Hangar C.



Fiat G-91T marked as mm6362 coded 60-62, but maybe a former German aircraft?



MS.760 Paris IIR.



While naturally there were a number of Mirage III aircraft in the collection, there were also examples of the Mirage 5, Mirage F.1 and Mirage 2000. This is a Mirage F.1C.







These three fairly similar looking aircraft are a MD.450 Ouragan, a Mystère IVA and a Super Mystère B2. The Ouragan had different markings on port and starboard. This side is the 'Patroulle de France' scheme, the aircraft marked 12-UT is the Mystère IVA, while 12-ZX (with the Scorpion unit marking on fin) is the Super Mystère Super B.





Of note in this hangar are a few closely related British types, a Vampire FB.6 pod & engine, a Venom pod, and a complete Vampire T.11. XD613/M Vampire T.11 was at RAF Cosford for a while before going to France. The other two are just nose pods, hopefully the metal bits of the aircraft (wings, booms, tail and engine cowls) could be in storage elsewhere. The Vampire FB.6 restoration is more advanced than the Venom, interesting is that they have attached the engine while still working on the cockpit 'pod'. Not too many Vampire or Venom single seaters in museums, so good to see on-going work on both here.





An interesting 'appendage' to this hangar is a Douglas DC-7 nose section, visible from outside, entered from inside.

[viscount]

MUSÉE EUROPÉEN DE L'AVIATION DE CHASSE, AERODROME D'ANCÔNE (images, part 2)

After the variable lighting inside, outside into bright sunlight conditions. A wide variety of types, but outside most with space to be able to stand back and get the of each aircraft in shot.



Amongst the Mirage aircraft is this early one a Mirage IIIA, no.03



Along with this Mirage IIIC, no.55 unit coded 10-RN.



Right against the airfield fence, under the wing of a C-160 Transall, so possibly a recent arrival is this Mirage VBA, BA-53 from the Belgian Air Force.



Mirage F.1CT, no.235 coded 30-SK



Along with Mirage 2000, no.04, although a newer airframe than most in the museum this aircraft has become somewhat weather worn and faded rather quickly.



Jaguar A, no A157 marked with unit code as 7-HH





Fouga CM-170 Magister no.57, unit coded 13-TD and another of the same type no.119 without unit coding and rather weather worn.



A little newer, but designed for the same training role, an Alpha Jet, 40+18 German Air Force.





Largest exhibit has to be this SE.210 Caravelle III, no.116/CE (radio call-sign F-ZACE) operated for many years by the Centre d'Essais en Vol. The only full aircraft that was open to the public. The cockpit is protected by a perspex screen.



Another civilian type that served with the French Air Force as an equipment test aircraft is this Falcon 20C with a Mirage radar nose.



While from an earlier generation is this freshly restored Douglas DC-3A/C-53 Skytrooper in French Air Force colours. The aircraft only coming to Europe in the mid '90s as N56NA and with the museum since late 2001 (according to the A-B 'First 70 Years' book.)



MD.312 Flamant no.172, unit coded 319-DD was F-AZAI for a while between the end of military service and becoming a museum exhibit.



A type which was widely purchased on the civilian market after completing service with the French military is the MH.1521 Broussard, a path followed by this one no.124 coded HF, which was for a while F-GRES as a civilian.





Mixed feelings about seeing '50s types being kept outside, however the exterior of this F-84F Thunderstreak appears to have recently been cleaned back to fresh metal - although all marking have been removed in the process.



Hawker Hunter F.58 J-4067 formerly with the Swiss Air Force.



While I knew that the French had used a small number of Meteors of various marks, delighted to find this Meteor NF.11 that had been used for test purposes.



A Lockheed T-33A Shooting Star, although for the purist, actually a Canadair CT-33A Silver Star, painted as 21113, with unit codes 314-UV





Never part of the French Air Force story, delighted to find this former Belgian Air Force (aircraft FX-69) Lockheed F-104G Starfighter masquerading as a '50s USAF F-104C Starfighter. Clearly recently restored, a pity about the 'Breitling' name on the fin - presumably a sponsor supporting the repaint.



Finally, an airworthy aircraft associated with the museum is this NA OV-10B Bronco, appearing as "55454/UU-26" in US Marines colours. The aircraft was outside being checked-over and prepared for an air display appearance two days later.


Two days later I attended a French military air show at Valence-Chabeuil airfield. Log and images on: derbosoft.proboards.com/thread/40666

[ronturner]

Very good collection.

[ian531]

Great collection, thanks for posting

Ian

[acklington]

Interesting photos and good explanations, thanks.

The DC-3 N56NA has me puzzled as the engine cowlings seem an odd shape with narrow front end. But googling the reg they appear to be genuine and original.

[viscount]

Yes I agree, I had noticed the engine cowls and also the nose shape. The big Air Britain volumes show that this aircraft was one of a batch laid down late 1942 as DC-3As for civilian airline use, this one by Northwest. However following Pearl Harbour and the US's entrance into the war, they were finished and delivered to the military as C-53Cs. The C-53 having a 'standard' rear passenger door, not the extra wide doors of the C-47 that could load a jeep! By the time I reached the Dakota, the place was closing for lunch, so I failed to take a photograph from the rear, so including the door. The gloss colours seem all wrong too, but I have no knowledge of the aircraft it is painted to represent and gloss provides better protection from the elements.

Apparently the C/no is 4979 with pi's listed as: (NC30026) for Northwest ntu, 43-2023 USAAC (service 43-45 in the US), NC19934 with United, N93C, N81R, N400RD, N56NA, preservation in France 2001. Did wonder if it had Wright Cyclones as an early aircraft, rather than the usual P&W Wasps. Can't easily find the answer to that one in the the 3 Volume Air Britain book, but it would appear that the aircraft did have standard P&Ws.