Museum of Aeronautics and Astronautics ( es, Museo de Aeronáutica y Astronáutica), also known as Air Museum (), is an
aviation museum
An aviation museum, air museum, or air and space museum is a museum exhibiting the history and cultural artifacts, artifacts of aviation. In addition to actual, replica or accurate reproduction aircraft, exhibits can include photographs, maps, P ...
located near of
Madrid
Madrid ( , ) is the capital and most populous city of Spain. The city has almost 3.4 million inhabitants and a metropolitan area population of approximately 6.7 million. It is the second-largest city in the European Union (EU), and ...
, is situated at
Cuatro Vientos Air Base,
Spain
, image_flag = Bandera de España.svg
, image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg
, national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond")
, national_anthem = (English: "Royal March")
, i ...
. The objective of the museum is to acquire, conserve and display the aircraft, equipment and associated paraphernalia that constitute the historical heritage of the Spanish Air Force. It has an exterior exhibition and seven hangars.
History
In 1939 the
Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil War ( es, Guerra Civil Española)) or The Revolution ( es, La Revolución, link=no) among Nationalists, the Fourth Carlist War ( es, Cuarta Guerra Carlista, link=no) among Carlists, and The Rebellion ( es, La Rebelión, lin ...
came to an end and the
Spanish Air Force
, colours =
, colours_label =
, march = Spanish Air and Space Force Anthem
, mascot =
, anniversaries = 10 December
, equipment ...
was created. It is in this period the
Ministry of the Air () appointed Colonel Társilo Ugarte Fernández to prepare a project for the creation of an aeronautic museum. However, 27 years passed before its creation. A first draft was presented in December 1948, with its location in the plant below the new building of the Ministry of the Air.
Through subsequent studies and consults, the Museum of Aeronautics and Astronautics was created by decree number 1437 of June 16, 1966, accountable to the Ministry of the Air and with headquarters in Madrid.
Since 1975, the museum has been based at Cuatro Vientos near of Madrid, however the works itself started at the end of 1979. Thereafter, it has been extended many times. Cuatro Vientos, was inaugurated in 1911 and is Spain's first military airfield. The airfield, although surrounded by construction, is still in use. The museum was officially inaugurated on 24 May 1981, by Lieutenant-General Emiliano Alfaro Jose Arregui.
In 1993, two new hangars were added, and even two more in 2002. Among these hangars, there is number 4, which was inaugurated on 22 August 2003, and which is dedicated to rotating wings and other
autogyros
An autogyro (from Greek and , "self-turning"), also known as a ''gyroplane'', is a type of rotorcraft that uses an unpowered rotor in free autorotation to develop lift. Forward thrust is provided independently, by an engine-driven propeller. ...
, machines whose origins came directly from the spanish engineer
Juan De La Cierva
Juan de la Cierva y Codorníu, 1st Count of la Cierva (; 21 September 1895 in Murcia, Spain – 9 December 1936 in Croydon, United Kingdom) was a Spanish civil engineer, pilot and a self taught aeronautical engineer. His most famous accomplish ...
.
Museum Displays
The museum facilities extend over a surface of more than , including outdoor displays, about 200 aircraft and seven hangars. There are mainly planes and helicopters, many of which have previously served in the
Spanish Air Force
, colours =
, colours_label =
, march = Spanish Air and Space Force Anthem
, mascot =
, anniversaries = 10 December
, equipment ...
. Visitors will also find hundreds of
miniature
A miniature is a small-scale reproduction, or a small version. It may refer to:
* Portrait miniature, a miniature portrait painting
* Miniature art, miniature painting, engraving and sculpture
* Miniature (chess), a masterful chess game or probl ...
aircraft models, engines, weapons, uniforms, vehicles, mock-ups and many other aviation related objects. Aircraft on display include a
Vilanova Acedo, Spanish version of the
Blériot XI
The Blériot XI is a French aircraft of the pioneer era of aviation. The first example was used by Louis Blériot to make the first flight across the English Channel in a heavier-than-air aircraft, on 25 July 1909. This is one of the most fam ...
built in 1911, the ''
Jesús del Gran Poder'', a special version of the
Breguet 19 Breguet or Bréguet may refer to:
* Breguet (watch), watch manufacturer
**Abraham-Louis Breguet (1747–1823), Swiss watchmaker
**Louis-François-Clement Breguet (1804–1883), French physicist, watchmaker, electrical and telegraph work
* Bréguet ...
used on the
transatlantic flight
A transatlantic flight is the flight of an aircraft across the Atlantic Ocean from Europe, Africa, South Asia, or the Middle East to North America, Central America, or South America, or ''vice versa''. Such flights have been made by fixed-wing air ...
to
Asia
Asia (, ) is one of the world's most notable geographical regions, which is either considered a continent in its own right or a subcontinent of Eurasia, which shares the continental landmass of Afro-Eurasia with Africa. Asia covers an area ...
and
America
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...
between 1928 and 1929, a few aircraft of the
Spanish Republican Air Force
The Spanish Republican Air Force was the air arm of the Armed Forces of the Second Spanish Republic, the legally established government of Spain between 1931 and 1939.
Initially divided into two branches: Military Aeronautics ('' Aeronáutica M ...
, as well as the famous
de Havilland Dragon Rapide
The de Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide is a 1930s short-haul biplane airliner developed and produced by British aircraft company de Havilland. Capable of accommodating 6–8 passengers, it proved an economical and durable craft, despite its rela ...
used by
Francisco Franco
Francisco Franco Bahamonde (; 4 December 1892 – 20 November 1975) was a Spanish general who led the Nationalist faction (Spanish Civil War), Nationalist forces in overthrowing the Second Spanish Republic during the Spanish Civil War ...
from the
Canary Islands
The Canary Islands (; es, Canarias, ), also known informally as the Canaries, are a Spanish autonomous community and archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, in Macaronesia. At their closest point to the African mainland, they are west of Morocc ...
to
Tétouan
Tétouan ( ar, تطوان, tiṭwān, ber, ⵜⵉⵟⵟⴰⵡⴰⵏ, tiṭṭawan; es, Tetuán) is a city in northern Morocco. It lies along the Martil Valley and is one of the two major ports of Morocco on the Mediterranean Sea, a few miles so ...
at the start of the military rebellion which began the
Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil War ( es, Guerra Civil Española)) or The Revolution ( es, La Revolución, link=no) among Nationalists, the Fourth Carlist War ( es, Cuarta Guerra Carlista, link=no) among Carlists, and The Rebellion ( es, La Rebelión, lin ...
in 1936.
[Alpert, Michael ''BBC History Magazine'' April 2002]
Outdoor exhibition area
The Spanish versions of the
Heinkel He 111
The Heinkel He 111 is a German airliner and bomber designed by Siegfried and Walter Günter at Heinkel Flugzeugwerke in 1934. Through development, it was described as a "wolf in sheep's clothing". Due to restrictions placed on Germany after th ...
and the
Junkers Ju 52
The Junkers Ju 52/3m (nicknamed ''Tante Ju'' ("Aunt Ju") and ''Iron Annie'') is a transport aircraft that was designed and manufactured by German aviation company Junkers.
Development of the Ju 52 commenced during 1930, headed by German Aeros ...
, fighters as
McDonnell Douglas F-4C Phantom II
The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is an American tandem two-seat, twin-engine, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor and fighter-bomber originally developed by McDonnell Aircraft for the United States Navy.Swanborough and Bow ...
or
Mirage F-1, one
Canadair Cl-215,
Aerospatiale AS-330 Puma or even a
MiG-17
The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 (russian: Микоян и Гуревич МиГ-17; NATO reporting name: Fresco) is a high-subsonic fighter aircraft produced in the Soviet Union from 1952 and was operated by air forces internationally. The MiG-17 w ...
.
Hangar expositions
* Hangar 1: Beginnings of the
history of aviation in Spain
History (derived ) is the systematic study and the documentation of the human activity. The time period of event before the invention of writing systems is considered prehistory. "History" is an umbrella term comprising past events as well ...
, aviation during the
Rif War
The Rif War () was an armed conflict fought from 1921 to 1926 between Spain (joined by History of France, France in 1924) and the Berbers, Berber tribes of the mountainous Rif region of northern Morocco.
Led by Abd el-Krim, the Riffians at ...
, Spanish
aviation in the pioneer era
The pioneer era of aviation was the period of aviation history between the first successful powered flight, generally accepted to have been made by the Wright Brothers on 17 December 1903, and the outbreak of the First World War in August 191 ...
and aircraft during
Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil War ( es, Guerra Civil Española)) or The Revolution ( es, La Revolución, link=no) among Nationalists, the Fourth Carlist War ( es, Cuarta Guerra Carlista, link=no) among Carlists, and The Rebellion ( es, La Rebelión, lin ...
.
* Hangar 2: Engines, simulators, aeronautical equipment and uniforms.
* Hangar 3: Training planes, fighters of the Spanish war, post-war fighters, gliders and a collection of propellers and engines.
* Hangar 4: Helicopters and autogyros with, among others, two La Cierva, or the
Aerotécnica AC-12
The Aerotécnica AC-12 ''Pepo'' is a Spanish two-seat light helicopter manufactured in 1956 by Aerotécnica
__NOTOC__
Aerotécnica was a Spanish aircraft manufacturer established in Madrid in 1954 to develop Jean Cantinieau's helicopter designs ...
and
AC-14, and collection of flight instruments.
* Hangar 5: Spanish Air Force aircraft, like the
General Franco
Francisco Franco Bahamonde (; 4 December 1892 – 20 November 1975) was a Spanish general who led the Nationalist forces in overthrowing the Second Spanish Republic during the Spanish Civil War and thereafter ruled over Spain from 193 ...
's
de Havilland Dragon Rapide
The de Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide is a 1930s short-haul biplane airliner developed and produced by British aircraft company de Havilland. Capable of accommodating 6–8 passengers, it proved an economical and durable craft, despite its rela ...
, two versions of the local jet
Hispano HA-200.
* Hangar 6: Dedicated mainly to restoration.
* Hangar 7: A collection of more than 100 models on a 1:10 scale
Aircraft exhibits
List of selected aircraft on display
Gallery
File:Hangar 2, Museo del Aire, Madrid, españa, 2016 01.jpg, Hangar 2
File:Cohete Capricornio (5655913268).jpg, Rocket Capricornio, Spanish satellite launch vehicle.
File:McDonnell Douglas DC-9-32 EC-BYE & Boeing 727-256Adv EC-CFG Iberia (8444459210).jpg, Cabins from Douglas DC-9 and Boing 727
File:Vilanova Acedo (Blériot XI).jpg, The '' Vilanova Acedo'' built in 1911, is the oldest aircraft preserved in Spain.
File:Escuadrilla Azul.JPG, Uniform from Condor Legion
The Condor Legion (german: Legion Condor) was a unit composed of military personnel from the air force and army of Nazi Germany, which served with the Nationalist faction during the Spanish Civil War of July 1936 to March 1939. The Condor Legio ...
File:Br19sb cuatrovientos.jpg, Cuatro Vientos
Cuatro Vientos is a ward (''barrio'') of Madrid belonging to the district of Latina.
Geography
Cuatro Vientos is situated in the south-western area of central Madrid, close to the motorways A5 and M40 and to the homonymous airport.
External ...
(replica); this aircraft flew in 1933 from Spain
, image_flag = Bandera de España.svg
, image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg
, national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond")
, national_anthem = (English: "Royal March")
, i ...
to Cuba
Cuba ( , ), officially the Republic of Cuba ( es, República de Cuba, links=no ), is an island country comprising the island of Cuba, as well as Isla de la Juventud and several minor archipelagos. Cuba is located where the northern Caribbea ...
.
File:Hangar 5, Museo del Aire, Madrid, España, 2016 09.jpg, Hangar 5
File:Jesus del gran poder.jpg, Jesús del Gran Poder, historical Spanish aircraft.
File:Farman F 402.jpeg, Farman F.402 of the Spanish Republican Air Force
The Spanish Republican Air Force was the air arm of the Armed Forces of the Second Spanish Republic, the legally established government of Spain between 1931 and 1939.
Initially divided into two branches: Military Aeronautics ('' Aeronáutica M ...
.
Visitors
* Timetable: Tuesday to Sunday: 10 am to 2 pm. The museum is closed to the public on all Mondays and special days (like public holidays), as well as the entire month of August.
* Visitors must follow the instructions of security personnel and museum staff at all times
* In the case of photographs or filming for personal use, it is not necessary to request any type of authorization.
* Visitors must show their entrance ticket whenever they are requested to do so by security personnel or museum staff, and they must retain said ticket until the end of their visit.
* The museum is a no smoking zone and smoking is prohibited.
* It is forbidden to touch the equipment on display
Ways to get there
There is no access from the airport to the museum, and this is surrounded by a confusing number of roads.
* By
bus
A bus (contracted from omnibus, with variants multibus, motorbus, autobus, etc.) is a road vehicle that carries significantly more passengers than an average car or van. It is most commonly used in public transport, but is also in use for cha ...
: It is better to take any of the Madrid-Alcorcón-Móstoles green buses of the BLAS company at
Príncipe Pío station. These go along the
Autovía A-5
The Autovía A-5 (also called ''Autovía del Suroeste'') is a Spanish autovía which starts in Madrid and ends at the Portugal–Spain border, near Badajoz, where it connects to the Portuguese A6 motorway.
It is one of the six radial autovías ...
and there is a stop near the museum: ask the driver where to drop off. Busses pass here frequently.
* Nearest
metro
Metro, short for metropolitan, may refer to:
Geography
* Metro (city), a city in Indonesia
* A metropolitan area, the populated region including and surrounding an urban center
Public transport
* Rapid transit, a passenger railway in an urba ...
and
commuter rail
Commuter rail, or suburban rail, is a passenger rail transport service that primarily operates within a metropolitan area, connecting commuters to a central city from adjacent suburbs or commuter towns. Generally commuter rail systems are con ...
station:
Line 10 (Madrid Metro)
Line 10 of the Madrid Metro is a rapid transit line in Madrid that is actually the product of two formerly separate lines. Today the route begins at (San Sebastián de los Reyes) and ends at (Alcorcón). Passengers must transfer at between t ...
. Cuatro Vientos Metro station is a bit far from the museum, about 1 kilometre, but there is no marked or paved path to the museum. Walking beside the highly frequented highway is not very pleasant. It is advisable to take a taxi at Cuatro Vientos Metro station to the museum, which is actually part of an airforce base.
* By
car
A car or automobile is a motor vehicle with wheels. Most definitions of ''cars'' say that they run primarily on roads, seat one to eight people, have four wheels, and mainly transport people instead of goods.
The year 1886 is regarded as ...
:
autovía A-5
The Autovía A-5 (also called ''Autovía del Suroeste'') is a Spanish autovía which starts in Madrid and ends at the Portugal–Spain border, near Badajoz, where it connects to the Portuguese A6 motorway.
It is one of the six radial autovías ...
, 10,5 km. Parking is free in front of entrance to the Museum.
See also
*
List of aircraft of the Spanish Air and Space Force
*
List of aerospace museums
This is a list of aviation museums and museums that contain significant aerospace-related exhibits throughout the world. The aviation museums are listed alphabetically by country and their article name.
Afghanistan
* OMAR Mine Museum, Kabul - inc ...
References
Bibliography
*
*Ogden, Bob. (2009). ''Aviation Museums and Collections of Mainland Europe''.
Air-Britain Air-Britain, traditionally sub-titled "The International Association of Aviation Enthusiasts", is a non-profit aviation society founded in July 1948. As from 2015, it is constituted as a British charitable trust and book publisher.
History
Air-Brit ...
(Historians) Ltd
External links
''Museo del Aire'' the official website (2019)
''Asociación Amigos del Museo del Aire'' Spanish association (2011)
(2009)
(2010)
{{Authority control
Aerospace museums in Spain
Museums in Madrid
Air force museums
History museums in Spain
Military and war museums in Spain
Technology museums in Spain
Museums established in 1979
Museo de Aeronáutica y Astronáutica
Buildings and structures in Latina District, Madrid