Dekelia Greek Air Force Museum
Exhibits at the base entrance are Cessna T-41D and Republic F-84F
Photo and text: Petr Uzsák
Address: HAF Museum, Dekelia Air Base, 13671, Tatoi
Web: https://www.haf.gr/en/history/museum/
Exhibitions Office: +30 210-8195250, +30210-8195255, +30 210-8195275
E-mail: museum@haf.gr
GPS Coordinates: 38.1002204 – 23.7803797,375
Opening Hours: Every Saturday and Sunday, excluding coinciding National Holidays, 09:30 until 16:30
Access
The central gate of Dekelia Air Base is located on Tatoiou str. (Acharnes, Attica), and it can be accessed through:
The Railway Station “DEKELIA”, in a 50 meters distance from the central gate.
The 537 Bus line, at the stop “AER. VASI DEKELIA”.
Athens – Thessaloniki Highway (E75). Take the “Thrakomakedones – Olympic Village” exit, follow Kimi’s Avenue. Take “Acharnes – Varimbombi” exit and the central gate is at 300 meters towards Varimbombi.
The Hellenic Air Force Museum is a relatively young institution, having existed in its current form since 1986. However, it certainly has a lot to build on, as its aviation collections were previously part of the Hellenic War Museum. The museum is organisationally under the Hellenic Air Force (HAF) administration and its mission is not only historical research, collection, preservation and access to exhibits, but also the retrieval, conservation and restoration of artefacts related to Greek aviation history.
Greek military aviation has a tradition of more than 110 years. The first six Greek officers went to France for flight training as early as 1911 and the air force was officially established the following year. Immediately afterwards, Greek military aircraft participated in the 1st and 2nd Balkan Wars, followed by the Great War, which we now call World War I. At the time of their creation, the air units were under the command of the Navy, and their independence occurred in 1930, making them the third major component of the armed forces. The Dekelia base, also known as Tatoi, was already used for civilian and military air operations before World War II. During the fighting for Greece between 1940 and 1941, British RAF aircraft were stationed here.
Right at the entrance we are greeted by a pair of Gateguardians - a Cessna T-41D and a Republic F-84F. The main object of the museum is a large hangar of Italian origin, which was first built on the island of Leros and later transferred to the mainland. Most of the exhibits are concentrated there. The hangar also houses the shop and other related facilities. Around it are placed the aircraft, rockets and vehicles forming part of the collections, which together comprise around fifty complete aircraft.
Freshly restored Sikorsky UH-19B rescue helicopter
The three-dimensional exhibits primarily represent the post-war period, although there are also references to earlier eras and aircraft types on panels and in display cases along the hangar walls. Also of interest is the extensive collection of uniforms, instruments, weapons and documents. I personally was very interested in the circular mechanical computer for F-104G pilots.
Among the oldest exhibits one can mention the fighter Spitfire Mk.IXC, one of the classics of aviation. We can also admire the Curtiss Helldiver SB2C-5, a bomber rarely seen in Europe. Only five aircraft of this type are said to have survived in the whole world. This particular aircraft is from post-war deliveries, has been restored in an exemplary manner and carries the traditional naval all-blue livery. Other aircraft to be seen include the F-84G, F-84F, RF-84F, F-86D, F-104G, A-7E, F-5A, RF-4E and the Mirage F.1CG, some of them in multiple examples. The machines often carry anniversary livery or other unusual finishes. However, contemporary jet fighters such as the F-16 or Mirage 2000 are not yet available in the museum. These will probably enter the collections when the air force is fully re-equipped with the latest Rafale or F-35 types.
The larger aircraft are represented by the naval Grumman HU-16B Albatross or the transport Dornier Do 28D. Both types are represented twice in the collections. Another Grumman is also unique, this time a G.159 Gulfstream I with Rolls-Royce Dart turboprop engines, which was used exclusively for transporting members of the Helenic royal family. Later, when Greece became a republic, the machine was converted for use by the Air Force Command, where it was used to transport VIP passengers. It has been housed in the museum since 1995.
A moody morning photo. School Cessna T-37 in the company of a combat LTV A-7
There are also helicopters, including a civilian Agusta-Bell 47J, a military Agusta-Bell OH-13 and another civilian AB-206A Jet Ranger. Outside on the tarmac is a recently restored Sikorsky UH-19B in a search and rescue version.
School and training machines are represented by DH.82 Tiger Moth, Cessna T-41D Mescalero (which is similar to the well-known civilian C-172) or also Cessna T-37, for a change with jet propulsion. The Lockheed T-33A, TF-104G or the unusually shaped Convair TF-102A with side-by-side seats cannot be missed either.
The museum also commemorates the memory of Lieutenant Dimitrios Kamberos, the Greek pilot who made the first military flight on 13 May 1912 in a Farman aircraft. Little known is the involvement of Greek pilots in the Korean War, where they provided transport, supply or reconnaissance missions with seven Dakotas on the side of the UN Command. This too is commemorated here and the collection includes two examples of this legendary transport aircraft. Also highlighted is the role of the air force in protecting the airspace over the Greek islands from infiltration by aircraft from neighbouring Turkey.
Unusually shaped training version of the Convair TF-102A Delta Dagger
A great attraction of the air museum is the underground headquarters of the Nazi Luftwaffe, from the time of the occupation, which is located under the current base. Although it is almost 80 years since the end of the war, many of the underground areas are still inaccessible due to the need to carry out extensive pyrotechnical research. One of the entrances to the complex is located directly inside the hangar. According to the museum staff, only two rooms of the vast space are safe for the time being.
In addition to the aircraft and their equipment, the collections include air and anti-aircraft missiles, bombs, target missiles, service equipment such as Mercedes Unimog or Dodge trucks, power sources and anti-aircraft searchlights. There are also smaller artefacts, such as the BMW 801 engine from the German Dornier Do 217.
It is also a little known fact that Greece developed its own unmanned aerial vehicles. These were propeller-driven machines named Pegasus I and Pegasus II, but their development was discontinued in the early 1990s. Both versions are represented in the collections.
Brightly colored Northrop F-5A Freedom Fighter
The museum includes restoration workshops that do a very good job. Examples include the North American T-6G Texan or the Canadair CL-13 Mk.2 Sabre, as well as the aforementioned Helldiver. The work of the workshops is closely associated with the Air Force Special Diving Command (KOSYTHE) unit used in search and rescue. One example of their efforts is the Bristol Blenheim Mk. IV of the British 203rd Squadron, which was recovered from the sea off the Cretan town of Rethymno. The wing and engine are still on display. Another is a German Junkers Ju 52/3m transport aircraft recovered off the island of Leros, whose refurbishment is still in progress. There are even plans to bring some of the exhibits to flying condition, specifically the unique Helldiver and Spitfire have been mentioned.
Entrance to the museum is free, and the website describes access well, both by rail (from Athens Larissa station) and by bus or car. At the gate of the base, foreigners have to show their passport, EU citizens do not have to show anything else. The only drawback I could discover is that the descriptions are only in Greek. However, this too is to be changed and each exhibit is to have a QR code that will refer not only to the general characteristics of the item, but also to the details of its service in the Greek Air Force.
The staff of the museum, i.e. the air force soldiers, are helpful and experienced and can assist and answer most questions. And the conclusion? If you are thinking of visiting Athens and are an aviation fan, definitely don't hesitate to take a tour.
Larger machines in the outdoor display - a naval Grumman HU-16B Albatross and a Douglas C-47 transport
Camouflaged Convair TF-102A Delta Dagger trainer
Bow section with cameras of the tactical reconnaissance Republic RF-84F Thunderflash
A-7 Corsair II battle LVT in attractive tiger camo. In front of it are the under development Pegasus I and II drones of indigenous origin
View of part of the indoor display, with AB-206A Jet Ranger in the foreground
A reminder of the air war in the Greek sky - preserved parts of a British Bristol Blenheim Mk.IV bomber recovered from the sea
One of the museum's unique items - a Curtiss Helldiver SB2C-5 naval bomber after a complete restoration
Lockheed F-104G Starfighter pilot's ejection seat and flying gear
Current classic, North American F-86D Sabre Dog
A mechanical computer for the F-104G pilot helped with flight time or fuel consumption data
Various types of target aircraft that were used for fighter pilot and air defense training
The entrance to the underground area of the former Luftwaffe regional Headquarters is located in the middle of the hangar
An aircraft widespread around the world, this time in a military guise - the Cessna T-41D Mescalero
Grumman G.159 Gulfstream I. originally belonged to the royal family, then used by the Hellenic Air Command