We all must have waved our hands endlessly at the passing airplanes in the sky, as children. Probably, considering this limitless interest in aero planes an idea of building a museum was thought of which was finally executed in the form of Indian Air Force Museum, Palam, located at the Air Force Station in Delhi. Fortunately, the entrance to the museum is free which draws visitors from all walks of life. Moreover, it was the only museum executing such a naïve idea unless the Naval Aviation Museum in Goa began in 1998.
Description
The whole information about the aircraft industry has been put to display in this museum thus drawing a lot of students from various schools. The museum flaunts a variety of item ranging between historic photographs, memorabilia, uniforms and personal weapons of the Indian Air Force. One is taken to the hangar after the completion of the exploration of the knowledge-widening gallery. In the hangar one finds small aircraft and some Air Force Inventory which has Anti Aircraft Guns, Vehicles, and Ordnance to flaunt. Exterior part of the hangar consists of the larger aircraft which is simply a treat to watch. One may even have a look at the War trophies, Radar Equipment and Captured Enemy Vehicles which finds its place in the outdoor gallery.
Another spot in the Air Force Museum is The Vintage Aircraft Flight services which houses some rare aircrafts, which are maintained in airworthy condition so that they can even be put to use when the need arises. Only during the annual Air Force Day, these aircrafts can be explored by the general public. Apart from this, the large aircrafts are carefully preserved and stored on the apron of the airbase owing to the shortage of space. The Museum also has a small souvenirs corner.
In the hangar and the outdoor gallery, some of the small aircrafts and large aircraft available for viewing by the general public are Westland Lysander 1589, Westland Wapiti K-813, Percival Prentice IV-3381, Hawker Hunter F56 BA-263, Hawker Hurricane II B AB-832, Hawker Tempest II HA-623, Yokosuka MXY-7 Baka and Supermarine Spitfire XVIII HS-986 and BAE Canberra B(I)58 IF-907, Consolidated B-24 Liberator J HE-924, Fairchild C-119 Packet IK-450 and Sikorsky S55C IZ-1590 respectively.
De Havilland DH-82 Tiger Moth HU-512, De Havilland Vampire FB52 IB-799, Supermarine Spitfire VIII NH-631 HAL HT-2 IX-737,North American Harvard HT-291 Douglas C-47 IJ-302, HAL HT-2 IX-732, and HAL Gnat II E-265 are the names of the rare aircrafts, housed by The Vintage Aircraft Flight services and are maintained in a condition that promises their hassle free functioning whenever needed. A visit to this museum will reveal a lot of unknown facts about the aircraft industry and hence will prove to be extremely knowledgeable for people from all ages, especially, children.
