Spirit of Benavente

Benavente is a airfield located outside Benavente village at approximately 70 km from capital city Lisbon, in Portugal. It has two paved dirt runways, and the facilities include; bar, flight school, maintenance hangar, fuel depots, storage hangers and several leisure spaces.

It is known to be one of the biggest airfields of its kind (ultralight aviation) in all Iberic peninsula and it is also known for the excellent airmanship amongst the aviation community, and well as the sympathy with which they welcome visitors.

Recently I had the opportunity to pay another visit to this magnificent place, this time for the commemoration of the 4st anniversary of Portugal spotters association.

It was a very pleasant day with lots of movements and countless aircraft to be photographed. Also a surprise was the appearance of; two aerobatic aircraft, a crop duster and a fire bomber! Wow! Unfortunately my photos of some of this aircraft were ruined L!

Without further due I leave you with some of the moments captured by the camera.

Thank you for your visit,

Paulo Antunes

Click on the image to enlarge and for better quality.

Skyranger

Jabiru J400

Sportcruiser

Esquall

TL-3000

Lineup of some of the aircraft present

Tecnam P2002 Sierra

Tecnam

Aerospool WT-9 Dynamic

"Spirit of Benavente" Skyranger

Bristell NG5

BRM Land Africa

Aerospool WT-9 Dynamic

Pitts Special S-2

Pitts Special S-2

Aerospool WT-9 Dynamic, in the right seat my good friend Sérgio Trindade

Pitts Special S-2 flown by Cmde. Luis Garção

Spirit of Benavente in a low pass

My wife at the controls under the supervision of Cmde. Fernando Fernandes

Touch and go

Low pass of this Dynamic

Tecnam

Banking for the photo

Three ship formation

Autogiro with my wife in the back.

Again with a filter. Thats me in the back!

Unexpected surprise at the end of the day

Alverca Air Museum

Outside Alverca air base, ICAO code LPAR, we find the air museum, it is one of three institutions across the country where one may visit the Portuguese aviation history. Mostly dedicated to military aviation, the museum is splendid, with a diverse and interesting collection of both, fighter, attack, training and support aircraft. Personally what has amazed me the most is the absolutely fantastic collection of engines, ejector seats, weapons and miniatures. It’s a visit that I recommend to all passionate for aviation in particular.

Here are some of the photographs taken during this particular visit.

Thank you for your visit.

Paulo Antunes

Please click in the image to enlarge and for better quality



Outside park





De Havilland Tiger Mouth with a Harvard T-6 in the back.



Jodel and Piper Grasshoper hanging from the roof.

Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp from the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt

De Havilland DHC-1 Chipmunk

Lineup of perfectly restored and preserved engines. Impressive!

Le Rhone 80hp, 1916 engine from the Caudron G III aircraft.

 In 1922 a Fairey F III-D MkII named "Lusitânia" and another named "Pátria" crewed by navegator Sacadura Cabral and pilot Admiral Gago Coutinho made the south atlantic crossing, from Lisbon to Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, in a journey that lasted 79 days.  It´s one of the most known Portuguese aviation feats.

Ejector seats, from several aircraft including the T-33, T-38, Fiat G-91, F-104, A-7 and Alfa Jet.

Bombs away!!!

North American F-86F Saber´s served from 1956 to 1980.

Fiat G-91 R Gina

Northrop T-38A Talon

Northrop T-38A Talon

Vought A-7P Corsair II

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.