The Militärhistorisches Museum der Bundeswehr – Flugplatz Berlin-Gatow (Military History Museum of the Bundeswehr – Berlin-Gatow Airfield) is an aviation and military history museum located at the historic Berlin-Gatow airfield in Berlin. It is part of the German Federal Armed Forces’ (Bundeswehr) military history museum network and is dedicated to showcasing the military history of Germany, particularly in the context of aviation.
Militärhistorisches Museum der Bundeswehr-Flugplatz Berlin-Gatow
Luftwaffe Museum (MHM)
Am Flugplatz Gatow 33
14089 Berlin
+49 30 36872601
Tuesday – Sunday 10:00 – 18:00
Closed on Mondays
Free admission
Gift shop
Aircraft collection
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170 – 995 52+09 XN730/J XV278 D-HATE 71+42 73+11 61+17 BB-150 D-9542 96+89 G1-AD 587/13-QL 72/10-SA WG466 247/A-05 A65-69 99+35 30+39 UA+110 99+12 35+41 – 210968 D-4037 D-IBAO XG152/20 WV865 208 DB-127 – 9444 38+34 35+62 DH+DE 191904 3905 163 686 472 256 20+51 20+13 20+63 29+03 569 93+51 927 99+14 JD-249 44+68 AS-558 346 615 D-ECJB EB-344 99+33 98+61 613 798 25+52 (112) 50+56 83+08 WF382/23MU 89+55 ———- Stored ———- 313 28+48 144 822 E3349 61+13 78+04 NF+1R 01+01 JB+110 D-9539 250 65-10824/EN 40+26 41+39 41+50 57+38 20+12 UA+106 32+72 99+01 99+07 99+40 99+41 7A+WN AA+014 WL+VII-21 16+06 16+26 – 26+43 27+90 28+01 29+03 29+14 86+32 75-0635 38+04 391 268 645 23+77 596 20+02 868 989 93+01 93+14 93+92 5211 AA+615 43+00 44+50 54+26 91+03 AS+525 300 091 BF+106 DF+316 EB+231 525 80+34 XM556 75+24 76+66 76+76 83+08 225 13 17 | Aero L-29 Delfín
Aero L-39V Albatros Albatros Farman III (replica) Antonov An-14A Pchelka Antonov An-26SM BAC Lightning F.2A BAe Harrier GR.1 Bell UH-1D Iroquois Bell UH-1D Iroquois Bell UH-1D Iroquois Brequet Br.1150 Atlantic Canadair CL-13A Sabre 5 Canadair CL-13B Sabre 6 Canadair CL-289 Reconnaissance Drone CASA 2.111D Dassault Mirage 3E Dassault Super Mystere B2 de Havilland Chipmunk T.10 Dornier DO-DT25R Douglas C-47B Dakota English Electric Canberra B.2 Eurofighter EF-2000 Typhoon Fairey Gannet AS.4 Fiat G91R/3 Fiat G91R/4 Fieseler Fi 103A-1 (V-1) Focke-Wulf Fw.190D-9 Grunau SG-38 Halberstadt CL IV Hawker Hunter F.6A Hawker Sea Hawk FGA.6 Ilyushin IL-28B Lockheed F-104G Zell Starfighter Lockheed TF-104G Starfighter (cockpit) Lockheed T-33A McDonnell Douglas F-4F Phantom II McDonnell Douglas RF-4E Phantom II Messerschmitt Bf108B-1 Taifun (wreck) Messerschmitt Me163B-1a Komet Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-15bis Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-15UTI Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21MF Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21SPS-K (cockpit) Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21UM Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-23BN Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-23ML Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-23UB Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-29 Mil Mi-4A Mil Mi-8S Mil Mi-8T Nord N2501D Noratlas North American F-86K Sabre Panavia Tornado IDS Percival Pembrooke C.54 PZL-Mielec LIM-5 PZL-Mielec LIM-5P Reims-Cessna 172P Skyhawk II Republic RF-84F Thunderflash Rockwell OV-10 Bronco Sukhoi Su-20 Sukhoi Su-22M-4 Sukhoi Su-22M-4 Sukhoi Su-22UM-3K Transall C-160D Vertol H-21C Shawne Vickers Varsity T.1 Westland Sea King Mk.41 ——————— Stored ——————— Aero L-29 Delphin Aero L-39V Albatros Aero L-39ZO Albatros Antonov An-2 Avro 504K (replica) Brequet Br1150 Atlantic (fuselage) Bristol 171 Sycamore Mk.52 Bücker Bü 181B-1 (Sk 25) Canadair CL-13B Sabre 6 Canadair CL-13B Sabre 6 Canadair CL-13B Sabre 6 CCS-13 Polikarpov Cessna T-37B Tweety Dornier Alpha Jet Dornier Alpha Jet Dornier Alpha Jet Dornier Do27A-4 Eurofighter EF2000 Typhoon Fairey Gannet AS.4 Fiat G91R/3 Fiat G91R/3 Fiat G91R/3 Fiat G91T/3 Fiat G91T/3 Fiesler Fi-156 Storch Fouga CM170R Magister Grunau Baby IIb HFB320 Hansa Jet HFB320ECM Hansa Jet Junker D1 (replica) Lockheed F-104G Starfighter Lockheed TF-104G Starfighter Lockheed TF-104G Starfighter Lockheed F-104F Starfighter Lockheed F-104F Starfighter MBB Bolkow Bo-105P1 McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom (nose & tail) McDonnell Douglas F-4F Phantom Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-19PM Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21F-13 Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21F-13 Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21UB Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21M Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-23MF Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21SPS Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21SPS-K Mil Mi-8T Mil Mi-8T Mil Mi-9 Mil Mi-24D North American Harvard IV Panavia Tornado (43+61) Panavia Tornado IDS (nose) Percival Pembroke C.54 Piaggio FWP149D Piper L-18C Super Cub PZL Mielec Lim-5 PZL Mielec Lim-5P Republic F-84F Thunderstreak Republic F-84F Thunderstreak Republic RF-84F Thunderflash Schulgleiter SG-38 Sikorsky H-34G Choctaw Skeeter AOP.12 Sud Aviation Alouette II Sud Aviation Alouette 2 Sud Aviation Alouette 2 Vertol H-21C Yakolev Yak-11 Yakolev Yak-18 Zlin Z43 |
Militärhistorisches Museum der Bundeswehr – Flugplatz Berlin-Gatow houses a large part of the Bundeswehr aviation history collection and shows the history of military aviation in Germany from 1884 to the present.
The theme of the museum is not only the air force, but also air war and military aviation in Germany (including army and navy aviation, air defence, civil defence, former enemies of war and the Allies).
Visit 2022
Stored 2022
Photos Rob Vogelaar
Visits before 2022
Key Features of the Militärhistorisches Museum der Bundeswehr – Flugplatz Berlin-Gatow:
- Focus on Aviation History:
- The museum is particularly known for its collection of aviation history artifacts, highlighting both military and civil aviation from the early 20th century to the present.
- The collection includes a wide variety of aircraft, helicopters, and aircraft parts used by the German military, as well as those involved in World War I, World War II, and the Cold War.
- Visitors can see historic aircraft such as WWII-era planes, Cold War jets, and helicopters, providing a comprehensive view of the development of military aviation technology.
- Historical Aircraft Collection:
- The Militärhistorisches Museum der Bundeswehr boasts a significant collection of military planes from various eras, including aircraft used by the Luftwaffe (the German Air Force) during both World Wars, as well as planes from the post-war period used by the Bundeswehr.
- Notable aircraft on display include junkers, Messerschmitt, and Focke-Wulf models, which were iconic during WWII, as well as jet fighters and transport planes used by the German military during the Cold War.
- Some of the rare aircraft include the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, MiG-21, and Panavia Tornado, among others.
- Military Vehicles and Equipment:
- In addition to aircraft, the museum also features a variety of military vehicles, such as tanks, armored vehicles, and weapons, many of which have been used by the German military forces throughout the 20th century.
- The museum showcases military vehicles from both World Wars, the Cold War, and post-war conflicts, providing visitors with a comprehensive look at Germany’s military evolution.
- Cold War and Berlin Wall:
- The Militärhistorisches Museum der Bundeswehr explores the impact of the Cold War on Berlin, including the role of military aviation and the air corridors that divided East and West Berlin.
- It also provides insight into Berlin’s strategic importance during the Cold War, particularly in relation to the airlift operations and the military presence in both East and West Germany.
- Artifacts from the Berlin Airlift, the Berlin Wall era, and the NATO and Warsaw Pact military alliances are part of the exhibition, reflecting Berlin’s pivotal role during the Cold War.
- Interactive Exhibits and Education:
- The museum offers a variety of interactive exhibits to engage visitors with the history of aviation and military technology. There are multimedia displays, educational workshops, and guided tours that provide a deeper understanding of military history.
- The museum also hosts lectures, special events, and temporary exhibitions focusing on specific aspects of military history, aviation, or significant historical events.
- Preservation of Historical Military Airfield:
- The museum is located at the Berlin-Gatow Airfield, which itself has historical significance. The airfield was originally built in the 1930s and has been used by the Luftwaffe, the Soviet Air Force, and later the Bundeswehr.
- As part of the museum, visitors can explore the airfield’s historical buildings, hangars, and preserved sections, offering a glimpse into the life of a military airfield over the decades.
- Temporary Exhibitions and Special Focus:
- The Militärhistorisches Museum der Bundeswehr regularly organizes temporary exhibitions that focus on specific themes such as aviation in wartime, military engineering, or the impact of aviation on modern warfare.
- These exhibitions provide visitors with a deeper understanding of particular aspects of military history and often feature rare items, such as military documents, uniforms, and personal stories from veterans.
- Family and Educational Visits:
- The museum is designed to be family-friendly, with exhibits that appeal to both children and adults. There are hands-on exhibits and activities designed to teach visitors about aviation and military history in an engaging and accessible way.
- Special programs for schools and groups are also available, making it a valuable educational resource.
Summary:
The Militärhistorisches Museum der Bundeswehr – Flugplatz Berlin-Gatow is a unique and comprehensive museum dedicated to the history of military aviation, military technology, and Germany’s military heritage, with a strong focus on the role of aviation in both World Wars and the Cold War. With its extensive collection of aircraft, military vehicles, and interactive exhibits, the museum provides a fascinating and educational experience for anyone interested in aviation history, military technology, and the significant role Berlin played in the 20th century. The museum’s location at the historic Berlin-Gatow airfield adds an additional layer of authenticity to the experience, making it a must-visit destination for history enthusiasts and aviation lovers.