Egyptian Air Force Museum/Almaza Airport Museum

Sheraton Al Matar

Qism El-Nozha, Cairo

Egypt

• Opening Hours: Typically open every day except Fridays. It’s advised to check local timings, as they may vary.
• Admission: The museum is open to both locals and tourists, with a relatively modest admission fee.
• Access: The museum is within the Almaza Airbase, so security can be tight. Visitors are usually required to show identification.

Aircraft collection

–   2057/3367 950 9170 106 – 9873 100 382 200 3101 1101 7827 2001 1901 3024 5001 8301 10 801 988 101 – 7770 – 4012 – – –

Aero L-29 Delphin   Aerospatiale SA342L Gazelle Antonov An-2R Dassault Mirage 5E2 de Havilland DH.82A Tiger Moth (replica) de Havilland DH.82A Tiger Moth (replica) General Dynamics F-16D Fighting Falcon Heliopolis Gomhouria Mk.8R Heliopolis Gomhouria Mk.6 Helwan HA-200 Al-Kahira Hiller H-23 Raven Ilyushin Il-14P McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-15bis Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-15UTI Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-19S Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21F-13 Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21PFM Mil Mi-4 Mil Mi-6 Mil Mi-8T PZL 104-35A Wilga Raduga KSR-2 Sukhoi Su-7BMK Sukhoi Su-20 Tupolev Tu-16D/G Vultee BT-13A Valiant Yakovlev Yak-18 Zlin Z-226T

Photos Pieter Stroobach

The Egyptian Air Force Museum, also known as the Almaza Airport Museum, is located at Almaza Airbase in Cairo, Egypt. This museum offers a rich display of the history and achievements of the Egyptian Air Force, highlighting its role in various conflicts and its development over time. Here’s a detailed overview of the museum:

Location

• Almaza Airbase (Almaza Airport) in Heliopolis, Cairo, Egypt. This location is significant as it was Egypt’s first military airfield, established in 1930.

Exhibits and Collections

The museum’s collections showcase a wide range of artifacts, including:

1. Aircraft Displays:
   • The museum features an impressive collection of aircraft from different periods of Egypt’s aviation history. This includes:
     • Early aircraft used by the Egyptian Air Force, including biplanes from the 1930s.
     • Jet fighters such as MiG-15, MiG-17, and MiG-21, which were used during major conflicts like the Suez Crisis (1956) and the Six-Day War (1967).
     • Modern aircraft, like the Mirage 2000 and F-16 Fighting Falcon, representing Egypt’s continued advancements in military aviation.
   • Some of the aircraft are displayed outdoors, while others are part of indoor exhibits.
2. Historical Artifacts:
   • The museum contains uniforms, insignia, medals, and personal items belonging to notable Egyptian Air Force officers and personnel.
   • Weaponry, including guns and missiles used by the Air Force in various military operations, is also displayed.
3. Conflict Highlights:
   • The museum focuses on Egypt’s involvement in major conflicts, such as:
     • 1948 Arab-Israeli War
     • Suez Crisis of 1956
     • Six-Day War in 1967
     • War of Attrition (1967–1970)
     • Yom Kippur War of 1973 (October War)
   • Exhibits explain the role of the Egyptian Air Force in these conflicts and how its capabilities evolved as a result of international partnerships and technological advancements.
4. Interactive and Educational Displays:
   • The museum offers interactive exhibits for visitors to learn about aviation and flight mechanics, as well as the tactics and strategies employed by the Egyptian Air Force over the years.
   • There are models, diagrams, and multimedia presentations detailing various aircraft and air missions.
5. Tribute to Egyptian Air Force Heroes:
   • A key part of the museum pays tribute to the brave pilots and air force personnel who served and sacrificed for Egypt. Notable figures, like Mohamed Hosni Mubarak, who served as a fighter pilot and later became the President of Egypt, are highlighted.

Significance

• The Egyptian Air Force Museum serves as a celebration of Egypt’s military aviation history, emphasizing its role in defending Egypt’s sovereignty.
• The museum also highlights Egypt’s military ties with countries such as the former Soviet Union and the United States, which played a crucial role in shaping its air power capabilities.