Granja do Marquês
Airbase (AB Nº1) is located at Sintra, a few miles from the capital, Lisbon, and
in it resides the air force academy, the air base itself and the air museum. Although
at the time of this particular visit the museum was under work, some aircraft
were parked outside thus allowing for a few snapshots.
Portugal has an
outstanding collection of preserved military and civilian aircraft from the dawn
of aviation to recently retired fighter jets. But the museum is not just about the
aircraft, but rather about the history of aviation in all; the pioneers and
their feats, instrumentation, propulsion, navigation, clothing and survival
equipment, weapons, history and armed conflicts, aircraft design and structures
and an all diverse exposition of items that in a captivating way tells the
story of aviation in Portugal.
It is truly
remarkable and it represents the amazing work and dedication of professionals
and enthusiasts both military and civilian.
Thank you for your
visit.
Paulo Antunes
Click on the images for best quality.
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| A total of 65 North American F-86F Sabres served in the Portuguese Air force from 1958 until
1980 in the air defense role. Main armament consisted in the AIM-9B sidewinder
missiles. They were based at Monte Real. |
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| The Northrop T-38A Talon, 12 units in total, served in the Portuguese Air Force from 1977 until 1993 has a trainner
aircraft. This was the first supersonic jet serving in the PoAF, and the only
one before the arrival of the F-16 in 1994. They where stationed at Monte Real
and later on at Beja airbase. |
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| 50 Units were aquired from the Lufftwafe in 1992. The Dassault AlfaJet is primary an
instruction aircraft replacing the T-37, T-33, T-38, and has a secondary role
has a ground attack platform, replacing the Fiat G91. This particular aircraft
belonged to "Wings of Portugal" demonstration team. |
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| The Cessna T-37C Tweety Bird served in the Portuguese Air Force from 1962 until 1992. A total of 30
units, its main mission was of a trainning aircraft. They were based at Sintra. |
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| Lockheed P-3 Orion |
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| Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star. This particular aircraft was dedicated to recce missions |
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| Lockheed P-2 Neptune |
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| Portuguese Air Force aquired 44 A-7P and 6 TA-7P aircraft, that served from 1981
to 1999 in several roles including air defense and ground attack |
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| Noratlas. 34 aircrafts served as cargo haulers for the Portuguese Air Force. It first flew
in 1949. |
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| From 1953 to 1990, 35 Lockheed T-33A Shooting Star trainners served in the Portuguese Air Force. |
