A blend of tradition and modernity – The Aeronautical museum in Belgrade

Belgrade Aeronautical museum is a unique cultural and tourist site that attracts a large number of visitors from the country and abroad. It is located at Nikola Tesla Airport and is considered one of the oldest aeronautical museums in Europe, since it was founded in 1957. The museum has over 200 aircrafts and other exhibits that show the history of Serbian and Yugoslav aviation, as well as the global history of air flight.

Within the exhibition spaces, you can see airplanes from the Second World War, warplanes and helicopters from the Cold War, as well as civilian planes, gliders and sports planes. There is also a rich collection of photographs, documents and other artifacts. The museum covers an area of over 6,000 square meters; in addition to the regular program, it organizes a number of temporary exhibitions and other events related to aviation. The institution has its own library with a large number of books, magazines and related publications.

Muzej Vazduhoplovstva Surčin Beograd

Among the exhibits, the Italian-made fighter Fiat G-50 occupies an important place, as the only preserved item in the world. The replica of the Saric 1 aircraft, which was constructed by the aviation pioneer from Subotica, Ivan Saric, is also of great value. He made his first flight back in 1910. Another historically valuable piece is the Storm 11, the first armed aircraft ever used in the Serbian army. The Fizir FN, the first airplane produced in the first aircraft factory in Serbia, Ikarus, is also part of the display.

The G-2 Seagull, an originally made jet, takes pride of place. This model was serially produced and used in domestic aviation, but also in several friendly countries. By the time it was put into operational use, the Parisian Le Bourget salon proclaimed it the best in class. One of the most interesting exhibits is the Eagle, a plane designed and manufactured in SFR Yugoslavia. It was the main fighter-bomber of the Yugoslav Air Force and one of the most successful projects of the aviation industry at the time.

In addition to domestically developed models, the collection features numerous Second World War aircrafts, from several participating countries. The most remarkable pieces are Hawker Hurricane, Spitfire, Thunderbolt, Yak-3, Messerschmitt Me 109 and others. Equally attractive are helicopters such as the British WS-51 Dragonfly and Boeing 727 passenger plane. After the war in FR Yugoslavia in 1999, the museum collected quite a number of exhibits related to this event; these are parts of the American stealth bomber F-117 Night Falcon and fighter-bomber F-16 Fighting Falcon.

The museum is a great place for all aviation lovers, as well as for those who want to learn more about its history and development. Visitors are welcomed with an interesting and interactive experience, a chance to get closer to the exhibits and learn about their origin, technical features and methods of use. The museum also organizes numerous activities for children, such as workshops and educational programs, where the youngest can learn about aviation, make their own model airplanes or participate in flight simulations. This is an excellent opportunity for family tours.

Aside from its primary activity, the museum organizes various types of events, such as flight displays, conferences, presentations and the like. These events attract a large number of visitors from different parts of the world, offering an opportunity to experience the true spirit of aviation. The museum is considered a vital institution for the preservation of the cultural heritage of Serbia and Yugoslavia, as it maintains and nurtures the tradition of one of the most vital branches of domestic industry.

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Aviation museum Belgrade