ISRAEL
From John Tomlinson’s trip in May
ATLIT DETENTION CAMP MUSEUM: Atlit
The camp was set up by the British in the 1930s to house Jewish
immigrants coming to what was then Palestine. The site closed in 1942
and reopened in 1945 until the state of Israel came into being. Atlit was
again used during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War and later conflicts with
neighbouring countries. In 1987 it was declared a National Heritage Site
and a museum tracing its story was subsequently opened. In 1947 a
Curtiss Commando was used to illegally transport Iraqi Jews to Israel.
Two flights were made, one in August and the other a month later.
Museum staff searched for an example of the transport and in late 2016
one was shipped from Alaska to Israel and went on show in early 2017.
Curtiss-Wright C-46F Commando N23AC (22451)
BEIT SHEMESH MONUMENT
At a factory in Virginia, Beit Shemesh which is in the south western
part of the town.
Israeli Aircraft Industries Tzukit ‘68’/681 ( D105/81)
DEFENDERS PARK: Nachshon Junction
This park honours the contribution of Israelis in the defence of their
country. The German-built Noratlas is on show along with a number of
military vehicles and tanks. Israel acquired six French built N.2501s in
the mid-1950s, followed by 16 former Luftwaffe aircraft. The area has
seen fighting in the many wars with insurgents. Also on display are
military vehicles, tanks and items of artillery.
Nord N.2501D Noratlas 072/4X-FAW (D089)
GI’VAT OLGA MONUMENT
At the Or Latif School, Ha-Shomron St 1-3, Gi’vat Olga, 31100 Hadera
in the centre of the town.
Israeli Aircraft Industries Kfir C.2’004’/875 (88) – possible identity.
GIV’ATAYIM MONUMENT
At the Irving Polsky Retirement Center at Metsulot Yam 7-9, Giv’atayim
in the southern part of Tel Aviv.
Fouga CM.170R Magister ‘095’ (D149)
HOLZ TECHNICAL COLLEGE: Tel Aviv
The school was for many years where recruits to the Air Force
underwent technical training. A collection of airframes was parked
outside the building. In the mid-2000s a new school was constructed
at Beersheba and the yard was cleared. In recent years more aircraft
have arrived for use by the students. A few are mounted on pylons for
display purposes.
Bell AH-1F Huey Cobra ‘030’/69-16411 (20843)
General Dynamics F-16A Fighting Falcon 729 (61-87)
Hughes 500MD Defender 213 (119-0599D)
Israeli Aircraft Industries Scout 07
Israeli Aircraft Industries Searcher 727
North American NA-145 Navion N8610H (NAV-4-570)
Piper L-21B Super Cub (L-21B) 055
Piper L-21B Super Cub 004 (18-6983)
Piper L-21B Super Cub 011 (18-8552)
Tadiran/Mazlat Mastiff III
ISRAELI AIR FORCE MUSEUM: Hatzerim
Israel came into existence on 14th May 1948 and on that day was
attacked by five Arab countries. Prior to this a small military air service
had flown a number of light aircraft, mainly Austers, painted in
Palestinian civil colours. Two Egyptian Air Force Spitfires entered
Israeli airspace the following day and the search for combat aircraft
started. A small number of Mosquitos and Spitfires were built up from
airframes left behind on dumps by the Royal Air Force and aircraft
were acquired from sympathetic European countries. Over the next
decade supplies came from France, Sweden and the USA. The force
became renowned for its combat prowess and is now one of the most
modern in the region.
This museum was established at Hatzerim in 1978 and has grown
rapidly. Aircraft have been acquired from around the world to fill gaps
in the inventory. In one deal a Hunter from Chile was exchanged for a
Mystère IV. Three aircraft were bought in the United Kingdom: an
Auster, a Dragon Rapide and a Harvard. A Vampire trainer came from
Venezuela, a Venom from Switzerland and a Fouga Magister from
Belgium. The Tiger Moth was transported from the Army Museum in
Brussels. The Dragon Rapide has been painted in the colours of the
first to arrive in the country, flown by Transjordan Arab Airways and
then by Aviron after Israel came into being.
The famous black Spitfire once flown by Ezer Weizman is still in
airworthy condition. The CS-199 was formerly on show at Hatzor and has
been superbly restored. Nine Meteors of four different marks can be seen.
From the same period are a number of Ouragans and Mystères. Four
Beaufighters were flown to Palestine in 1948, ostensibly for use by a film
company. The remains of one of these has been found and put on show.
Israeli Aircraft Industries products feature prominently. The Tzukit
is an updated Fouga Magister, the Saar is a modified Super Mystère
and the Nesher and Kfir are improved Mirage 5s. The Lavi was designed
to serve as a multi-role combat aircraft. The first prototype flew on
31st December 1986 and the second three months later. The original
plans called for over 300 to be produced but the programme was
cancelled in August 1987. The largest aircraft on show are the Boeing
Stratofreighter, the two 707s and the 720. Israel imported a number of
Slingsby gliders for training cadets.
At least two Prefects were delivered from Yorkshire and others were
constructed in the country Similarly a number of two seat Tandem Tutors
were built using British ones as patterns. The first Taylorcrafts arrived in
Palestine in 1938/9. These were a model A and two BLs. One survived on
a pylon at Sde Dov and has now been restored as the model A.
A batch of Phantoms arrived in the late 1990s and these along with
many other withdrawn aircraft are stored in revetments close to the
museum site. More types are expected in the near future. This excellent
collection traces the history of the service which for many years had
been shrouded in secrecy.
Some c/ns of the A-4s and F-4s are in doubt and updates would be
appreciated.
Outside Entrance
Gloster Meteor F.8 40
North American F-6K Mustang 39 (111-36126)
Area inside Entrance
Boeing 707-131F 008/4X-JYD (17667)
Hughes 500MD Defender 212 (119-0598D)
Israeli Aircraft Industries Kfir C.7 529
Israeli Aircraft Industries Tzukit 677 (D153/77)
Israeli Aircraft Industries Tzukit 630 (D181/30)
Piper PA-18-150 Super Cub 099 (18-7760)
Sud-Est SE.3130 Alouette II 05 (2002)
In the four small hangars
Auster J/1 Autocrat ‘A-13’ (1956)
De Havilland DH.82A Tiger Moth ‘VQ-PAU’/OO-EVI (85969)
De Havilland DH.89A Dragon Rapide ’002’/‘VQ-PAR’/4X-970 (6952)
Fokker S.11.2 Instructor ‘05’/3137 (6256)
North American AT-6D Texan 1125 (88-17025)
Piper PA-18-150 Super Cub 068 (18-5240)
Supermarine 361 Spitfire LF.IXc 78 (6S.240837)
Warsztaty Szybowcowe Wrona bis 13PRESERVATION NOTES
Bob Ogden, 13 Western Avenue, Woodley, Berkshire RG5 3BJ
E-mail: [email protected]