Israeli Air Force Museum
About Israeli Air Force Museum
The Israeli Air Force (IAF) Museum is located at Hatzerim Airbase in the Negev desert. It takes visitors on a tour of Israeli aviation history. It displays a huge collection of IAF and foreign airplanes and helicopters as well as anti-aircraft arms.
History of IAF
The museum is dedicated to the history and preservation of the IAF. It tells the history of the IAF and points out the various missions and operations that make the IAF a legend in and of itself. Being next to the airbase, war planes and training planes flying over the museum blend well with the museum’s theme. On Jewish holidays, the museum flies some of its own planes above the cheering crowds.
Exhibitions
Its outdoor display area features more than 140 aircraft, mostly in excellent condition and accompanied with a detailed description of its history and use by IAF. On display are fighter planes, combat helicopters, modern airplanes and some of enemy aircrafts captured by Israel. Its anti-aircraft section features missile launchers, missiles, drones, captured, anti-radiation equipment and SAM batteries.
First Purchase of the IAF
Avia S-199 was the first purchase of the IAF amidst the 1948 war. Upon arrival, in boxes, the planes were assembled and without even test flights, they were sent to raid on the Egyptian ground forces heading to Tel Aviv.
Interesting Facts
- The planes that the IAF used throughout the years started from the WWII Spitfires to the latest F35 fighter jets.
- In an open hangar are very old bi-planes and the hang gliders used by Syrian-based terrorists a few decades ago.
- A Boeing jet that was used by the IAF is converted into a theatre where visitors can watch the heritage movie of the air force.
