A hidden treasure of a museum - and nobody knows it

Skybird · 09-05-09, 06:54 AM

Pic
http://www.tagesspiegel.de/medien/he...e1,298411.html

Text
http://www.tagesspiegel.de/berlin/Te...art270,2891978

the article claims that after fusion of East- and WestGerman airforces and the British giving up Gatow, the small airfield in the West of Berlin has become the biggest collection of old fighterplanes and fighterbombers in the world. Don't know if that is true or a reporter's exaggeration, but nevertheless it seems to be a pretty precious collection of planes from the WWII era, and a huge collection of planes from the cold war era, both Eatern and Western models. Over 220 types are on display, they say.

And nobody knows that this official museum of the German Luftwaffe exists.

Entrance is free.

The pieces are rotting while exposed to weather, rain and sunlight.

tourism bureaus do not list it, or lead people to a wrong adress, the postal adress of the office 5 km east of it.

It would be a good idea to move this huge collection of planes (220, 65 from cold war era, the rest from WWII) to Tempelhof which is no longer active since some months. But no - the communist-socialist big coalition in Berlin, led by an extremely narcissistic, arrogant and incompetent mayor with ambitions in federal politics (poor germany), decided - or better the mayor all alone decided - that there should be a yearly fashion show, and eventually one of the hangars becomes home to a local icehockey club.

To do justice, one should say the defence ministry's enthusiams to move the museum also is minimal.

What a waste of space, place and reputation in Tempelhof.

If you visit berlin, check the museum out. But you must find out yourselve where it is, must be the old British airfield at Gatow. I can't tell you, because I did not know myself that it has been installed there. Just follow the map shopwing the old airfield. Do not follow the postal adresses for the office in the centre of the city.

I know head to Google Earth to check if I can see something.

Jimbuna · 09-05-09, 08:34 AM

Nice find but It's a pity it wasn't a previously unknown tank/armoured vehicle museum

Edit: I'm struggling to even identify two aircraft hangars in the area on Google Earth

Schroeder · 09-05-09, 08:54 AM

Yes, the museum in Gatow is huge (by German standards

). The planes inside the hangars are all well preserved while the ones standing outside are in a poor condition.
BTW there are also many WWI replicas (some even flyable) in one of the hangars and there are also radar stations and SAMs on display.
It is definitely worth a visit especially since it is for free (although I would gladly pay 5€ and see the planes outside be restored to their former beauty...but I guess that is what the frequently ignored donation box is for).

Skybird · 09-05-09, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbuna

Nice find but It's a pity it wasn't a previously unknown tank/armoured vehicle museum

Edit: I'm struggling to even identify two aircraft hangars in the area on Google Earth

coordinates at the bottom of the pic

Oberon · 09-05-09, 11:13 AM

My god, that IS a hidden gem, MiGs, Hinds, Canberras, F-104s, Su-22s, Percival Pembroke, and missiles too, SA-2, SA-3, SA-5, Hawks, Pershing I.

That's made my list of places to visit in Germany, right up there with the Fulda gap

Jimbuna · 09-05-09, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skybird

coordinates at the bottom of the pic

Cheers Sky

Task Force · 09-05-09, 01:33 PM

wow... wish we had one of those here.

XabbaRus · 09-05-09, 04:38 PM

I know lets requisition it in the name of subsim and then somehow restore the planes to flying condition and let the loltwaffles fly.

Raptor1 · 09-05-09, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XabbaRus

restore the planes to flying condition

Why bother? We know how they'll turn up...

09-05-09, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XabbaRus

I know lets requisition it in the name of subsim and then somehow restore the planes to flying condition and let the loltwaffles fly.

Yeah but do you really want to destroy some perfectly good airplanes? :rotfl:

Kratos · 09-05-09, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XabbaRus

I know lets requisition it in the name of subsim and then somehow restore the planes to flying condition and let the loltwaffles fly.

Then they would be in a worse condition than what they are already

Skybird · 09-05-09, 05:55 PM

Homepage of a support organisation

http://www.luftwaffenmuseum.de/

(pics of the planes under "Exponate")

And another, English site on it:

http://www.aviationmuseum.eu/World/E...ffe_Museum.htm

The museum can be entered with bicycles if asking for permission at the gate. Which maybe is a good idea, considering the size. Gatow is also a nice looking rural area - at least when I lived in Berlin 20 years ago. What house construction and other desasters may have done to the place I cannot say.

And finally, a video:

Jimbuna · 09-06-09, 07:18 AM

That is really one huge impressive list of aircraft

It would require an all day visit/tour to do the collection any justice.

Skybird · 09-06-09, 07:58 AM

Probably several days. Many visitors said that the program cannot be done in one day. There are nine hangars, and the tower, all filled with more planes, and several educational historic programs as well.

I once was at Gatow Airfield, im my youth, when the Brits still were there, it was a "public day". And with my family we repeatedly walked in the surrounding rural country. Back then there was not as much settlements as there seem to be now. One of the most favourite areas in Berlin to live in, I would say. Not so much "big city" flair, you know, but a bit more rural. Due to the river Havel and the wall even a bit isolated from the rest of the city, which I liked.

Jimbuna · 09-06-09, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skybird

Probably several days. Many visitors said that the program cannot be done in one day. There are nine hangars, and the tower, all filled with more planes, and several educational historic programs as well.

I once was at Gatow Airfield, im my youth, when the Brits still were there, it was a "public day". And with my family we repeatedly walked in the surrounding rural country. Back then there was not as much settlements as there seem to be now. One of the most favourite areas in Berlin to live in, I would say. Not so much "big city" flair, you know, but a bit more rural. Due to the river Havel and the wall even a bit isolated from the rest of the city, which I liked.

Sounds a little like the ever shrinking rural areas in Britain due to ever expanding towns, cities and business areas. Beats me, (the last part) why all these small industrial units keep getting constructed in an age where unemployment is rising.

I was wondering, do you have any idea what the gift shop sells/has for sale?

09-05-09, 06:54 AM	#1
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,612 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	A hidden treasure of a museum - and nobody knows it Pic http://www.tagesspiegel.de/medien/he...e1,298411.html Text http://www.tagesspiegel.de/berlin/Te...art270,2891978 the article claims that after fusion of East- and WestGerman airforces and the British giving up Gatow, the small airfield in the West of Berlin has become the biggest collection of old fighterplanes and fighterbombers in the world. Don't know if that is true or a reporter's exaggeration, but nevertheless it seems to be a pretty precious collection of planes from the WWII era, and a huge collection of planes from the cold war era, both Eatern and Western models. Over 220 types are on display, they say. And nobody knows that this official museum of the German Luftwaffe exists. Entrance is free. The pieces are rotting while exposed to weather, rain and sunlight. tourism bureaus do not list it, or lead people to a wrong adress, the postal adress of the office 5 km east of it. It would be a good idea to move this huge collection of planes (220, 65 from cold war era, the rest from WWII) to Tempelhof which is no longer active since some months. But no - the communist-socialist big coalition in Berlin, led by an extremely narcissistic, arrogant and incompetent mayor with ambitions in federal politics (poor germany), decided - or better the mayor all alone decided - that there should be a yearly fashion show, and eventually one of the hangars becomes home to a local icehockey club. To do justice, one should say the defence ministry's enthusiams to move the museum also is minimal. What a waste of space, place and reputation in Tempelhof. If you visit berlin, check the museum out. But you must find out yourselve where it is, must be the old British airfield at Gatow. I can't tell you, because I did not know myself that it has been installed there. Just follow the map shopwing the old airfield. Do not follow the postal adresses for the office in the centre of the city. I know head to Google Earth to check if I can see something. __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.

09-05-09, 08:34 AM	#2
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,500 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	Nice find but It's a pity it wasn't a previously unknown tank/armoured vehicle museum Edit: I'm struggling to even identify two aircraft hangars in the area on Google Earth __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

09-05-09, 08:54 AM	#3
Schroeder Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Banana Republic of Germany Posts: 6,170 Downloads: 62 Uploads: 0	Yes, the museum in Gatow is huge (by German standards). The planes inside the hangars are all well preserved while the ones standing outside are in a poor condition. BTW there are also many WWI replicas (some even flyable) in one of the hangars and there are also radar stations and SAMs on display. It is definitely worth a visit especially since it is for free (although I would gladly pay 5€ and see the planes outside be restored to their former beauty...but I guess that is what the frequently ignored donation box is for). __________________ Putting Germ back into Germany.

09-05-09, 01:33 PM	#7
Task Force Rear Admiral Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: SPACE!!!! Posts: 10,142 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	wow... wish we had one of those here. __________________ Task Force industries "Taking control of the world, one mind at a time"

09-05-09, 04:38 PM	#8
XabbaRus Navy Seal Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 5,330 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	I know lets requisition it in the name of subsim and then somehow restore the planes to flying condition and let the loltwaffles fly. __________________

09-05-09, 11:13 AM	#5
Oberon Lucky Jack Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 25,976 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 20	My god, that IS a hidden gem, MiGs, Hinds, Canberras, F-104s, Su-22s, Percival Pembroke, and missiles too, SA-2, SA-3, SA-5, Hawks, Pershing I. That's made my list of places to visit in Germany, right up there with the Fulda gap

09-05-09, 05:55 PM	#12
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,612 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	Homepage of a support organisation http://www.luftwaffenmuseum.de/ (pics of the planes under "Exponate") And another, English site on it: http://www.aviationmuseum.eu/World/E...ffe_Museum.htm The museum can be entered with bicycles if asking for permission at the gate. Which maybe is a good idea, considering the size. Gatow is also a nice looking rural area - at least when I lived in Berlin 20 years ago. What house construction and other desasters may have done to the place I cannot say. And finally, a video: __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert. Last edited by Skybird; 09-05-09 at 06:05 PM.

09-06-09, 07:18 AM	#13
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,500 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	That is really one huge impressive list of aircraft It would require an all day visit/tour to do the collection any justice. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

09-06-09, 07:58 AM	#14
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,612 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	Probably several days. Many visitors said that the program cannot be done in one day. There are nine hangars, and the tower, all filled with more planes, and several educational historic programs as well. I once was at Gatow Airfield, im my youth, when the Brits still were there, it was a "public day". And with my family we repeatedly walked in the surrounding rural country. Back then there was not as much settlements as there seem to be now. One of the most favourite areas in Berlin to live in, I would say. Not so much "big city" flair, you know, but a bit more rural. Due to the river Havel and the wall even a bit isolated from the rest of the city, which I liked. __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.