Aviation Museum : Beijing, PRC

[KIFIS]

Recently I paid a visit to my favourite aviation museum in Beijing and was informed by the Director of the museum that they now have 274 aircraft in residence. Apart from the bomb proof cave which is completely full there is a new extended area that is packed with row upon row of fighters, bombers, transports, helicopters, rockets and associated hardware. The museum stands in a rural setting (old airfield) and on the day of my visit the temperature was minus ten degrees centigrade with a light covering of snow on all the outside exhibits. It was truly magic to walk amongst those exotic machines on such a day. This museum is worth a visit, it is 45 minutes by taxi north of the city and it is suggested you keep the taxi. Photography is permitted. . .. .KIFIS

[brockenspectre]

KIFIS you say your "favourite" aviation museum in Beijing - how many are there?. .. .I have yet to visit China but have dreamed of doing so since a child ....Can you provide more details of this museum (name and more precise location) ??? I have to say I know little about the history of aviation in China but anticipate that aviators there are the same as the rest of the world ... maybe aviation really is the first world community (or am I just being too simplistic!!)...just seems to me that wherever one finds an airfield, irrespective of country, one finds the same kind of folk!! Is this true in China too? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" />. . . . <small>[ 12 March 2002, 15:55: Message edited by: brockenspectre ]</small>

[KIFIS]

brokenspectre:. .I used the word "favourite" to mean my favourite aviation museum world wide. There is only one aviation museum in China and this is the one in Beijing. The official name of the museum is " China Aviation Museum" and it is part of the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA). As you may know the PLA control the Chinese Air Force and the administrators and personnel of the museum are PLA. They wear the uniform of the Chinese Air Force. There is a uniformed guard at the entrance gate. The aircraft on display are not chrome plated and painted in pretty two pack paint. They are just as they were in squadron service. In fact they look as if they just flew in and were parked. Oil drips from engines, tail pipes are burnt and stained and tyres scruffed. The staff are courteous and helpful but English is not readily spoken. Some of the Korean war fighters that are housed in the bomb proof cave are national identities. One in particular is adorned with five kills and another reflects the fact that it was donated to the Korean war by a famous opera singer. The entire flavour of the museum is military and the red star adorned with its historical Ba-Yi or 8-1 (1st August) date is much in evidence as would be expected in a Chinese military establishment. You will enjoy this museum because it is different, it is patriotic and it is most definitely thought provoking. . .. .KIFIS

[con-pilot]

Hello KIFIS, how’s it going? There is a good chance I will be going to China next year and if I have any chance at all to go to that museum I will certainly do so.. .. .We still on for the odd beer or two, or three, or so?. .. . <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" />

[bonzaman]

Conpilot

[bonzaman]

Conpilot. Kifis is away from his computer for 3 weeks and has asked me to reply to your post. He said that a beer or two is definatly on and suggests The Reno Air Races this year, this would be a good venue. Could you make it?. .Bonzaman on behalf of Kifis.. . . . <small>[ 19 March 2002, 05:56: Message edited by: bonzaman ]</small>