National Aviation Museum
The museum opened on December 2001 by the initiative of Colonel PA. THE. Milton Antonio Andrade Cabrera when he served as a Salvadoran Air Force Commander (FAS). It is located at the former El Salvador International Airport terminal, built in 1940’s and the only international airport in El Salvador until the late seventies. It is considered a local Cultural Heritage Site.
The National Aviation Museum has 10 rooms and 3 exhibition halls with varied attractions related to the historical trajectory of the Salvadoran Air Force
These are:
• Area of aircraft paintings and drawings:
Located at the entrance of the museum, there is a compass on the center of the floor showing the cardinal points. At this exact spot there is a gravimetric location, unique in Central America. A person standing at this point will be heard all around the main hall.
Here you’ll also see the colorful murals of the Mongolfield brothers, murals about the first air combat in El Salvador, allegories to the Greek legends of Daedalus and Icarus. There are also paintings depicting First World War air combats, the race towards “the space age” and the history of the local air force, especially about an air operation in the department of San Vicente.
At this hall you will also find an old fuel plant, made in the US, that was used to provide ground support to aircraft in the forties, fifities and sixties. Also, an electric power plant used to start aircrafts.
There is on display a Bellanca Aircraft used as an air taxi in the forties, donated by Francisco Escobar Thompson, its owner and pilot.
• Room 1 dedicated to Enrico Massi:
He was the first pilot and instructor on military aviation in El Salvador. There are on display handbooks, tools and other items belonging to the first-year students that completed military aviation in 1924. You will also see propellers, photographs and clippings from the historic visit of Ryan Aircraft known as “Spirit of St. Louis” from the United States in January 1928 and much more.
• Room 2: “War of Legitimate Defense”
As part of the tour, you will see on display personal items of people regarded as “Heroes of the 100 Hour War”, bombs and uniforms concerning the war against Honduras on July 1969.
• Room 3 Room 4 and 5: “Military Campaign, 1980-1992″
You will see artifacts and military equipment that was used during the civil war in El Salvador. Among them are instruments from a UH – 1H, a metal detector used to clear mines after the signing of the Peace Accords in 1992, antiaircraft guns, artillery, and many weapons, among others.
• Room 6: Military Uniforms
This is a collection of the various uniforms worn by the Salvadoran Air Force over the years.
• Room 7: First Aviation Brigade
You can see a photo gallery of staff, an antiaircraft gun; there is also a complete helicopter pilot uniform with its survival vest.
• Room 8-9: Second Air Brigade
Which was created at Comalapa International Airport in August 1986.
• Room 10: Scale Models
There are on display several models of aircrafts that the Salvadoran Air Foce (FAS) has flown.
• Ward 11: Medals
You will see many diplomas, medal and plates of recognition extended to elements of the FAS for their participation in different activities inside and outside El Salvador.
• Cabin Areas
You can experience what its like to be on a cockpit in this section of the museum. The highlights are the UH-1H helicopter, the Ouragan aircraft and the C-47.
In the outdoors area there are many restored aircrafts on display. They represent different periods in which they where used for military purposes. Among them:
- Socata Rallye 235 In GTA FAS. 58
- MD-450 “Hurricane” The FAS. 714
- CM-170 “Fouga” The FAS. 500
- In Douglas A/C-47 FAS. 106
- Bell Helicopter UH-1M FAS No. 320
- Bell UH-1H helicopter FAS No. 260
Visit the National Aviation Museum and learn about the aviation history of El Salvador.
How to get there:
Address: El Ejército Boulevard, 9 ½ km. Ilopango Air Force Base, San Salvador.
By car drive along El Ejército Boulevard going east, towards Ilopango, the entrance to this location is located adjacent to the Special Forces Command.
More
Price:
• General admission: US$ 1.00
• Children under 7 years and elderly: FREE
Services:
• Guided tours for teachers, students, tourists and general public.
• Aeronautical and historical documents
• Public Library specialized in aeronautical matters.
Hours: Open Wednesday to Sunday from 9:00 am to noon and from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
Phone (503) 2250-0070 extension 1119 or 5102.
Official Website: http://www.fas.gob.sv/museo/mna.html
Email: museo_aviacion@fas.gob.sv
Satellite Location
Elevation 2087 feet
N 13 ° 41,750 ‘
In 89 ° 06,906 ‘
NOTICE
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