Sintra Air Museum

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Lockheed P-3 Orion

Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star. This particular aircraft was dedicated to recce missions

Lockheed P-2 Neptune

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

Noratlas. 34 aircrafts served as cargo haulers for the Portuguese Air Force. It first flew in 1949.

From 1953 to 1990, 35 Lockheed T-33A Shooting Star trainners served in the Portuguese Air Force.