The Aeronauticum is a fascinating museum. It's not the biggest military aviation museum, but it's…read moreone of the most interesting.
Upon entry, the first exhibit, which takes up almost all of the ground floor, is devoted to Zeppelins, and believe me, the Germans know zeppelins. I used a lower case 'z' to indicate the generic use of the word, meaning no disrespect to Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin. A genuine zeppelin gondola, fully crewed with lifelike mannequins is suspended above all. Other parts and fragments of various zeppelins are also displayed, along with their history and for most, a picture indicating exactly where that part or fragment was located on the original aircraft. Any aviation enthusiast will appreciate this special attention.
There are quite a number of exhibits containing absolutely breathtaking models of German warships, dating back to WW1. One model even showed a U-boat towing a gyrocopter, being used to spot targets. Another standout was a diorama of the ill-fated Prinz Eugen, a German heavy cruiser that the Allies tried, but couldn't sink. It became a spoil of war, and met its ultimate fate off Kwajalein Atoll, a victim of an atomic bomb blast. The model shows the mighty ship capsized, resting on the bottom, with her stern and screws above water. Next to this diorama is a finely detailed model of the ship as she was launched, a gorgeous warship.
But the museum is dedicated more to German aviation. In that regard, a visitor will greeted outside the parking lot by a beautifully restored Breguet Atlantic sub hunter and recce plane. Incidentally, admission is about $10, and well worth it
The outside display area is populated with a srtiking variety of German military aircraft. As expected there is an F-104G Starfighter, whose star-crossed service with the Germans sparked the saying that if you want to own a Starfighter, just buy a few hectares of land in Germany and wait for one to crash there. Right next to the -104 is a hulking Russian Su-22, a true brute of an airplane, the perfect foil for the diminutive grace of the Starfighter. The museum curators certainly understood the symbolism and contrast.
There are two Dornier Do28 Skyservants, an oddly designed aircraft with an even odder name.
The star of the show is a brightly painted Panavia Tornado, dolled up in red, orange and yellow over white for display. Don't mistake it for anything but a highly successful and lethal swing-wing twin-jet fighter-bomber.
Want to see a chartreuse Fairey Gannet? Here you go. Lately, Honda has been running ads in aviation journals touting its engine-over-wing executive jet, as if they invented the concept. Nope, they copied the VFW 614, with its engines on pylons above the wing, and here it is.
A total of 32 aircraft are on outside display, including 4 helicopters. Sadly, these historic (and some rare) aircraft are subject to the vagaries of nature in northern Germany, which can be extreme. They are rusting and corroding accordingly. It's a sad situation. Visit soon.
