Strana 21
REPORT
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.
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
Freshly restored Sikorsky UH-19B rescue helicopter
A moody morning photo. School Cessna T-37 in the company of a combat LTV A-7
Unusually shaped training version of the Convair TF-102A Delta Dagger
INFO Eduard
21
April 2025