M&A - Argentina Museo De La Aviacion Naval, Bahia Blanca - 2015

Argentina - Museo De La Aviacion Naval

Argentina - Museo De La Aviacion Naval, Bahia Blanca 2015

During a family vacation in Argentina in September 2015, i had an opportunity to visit the Museo De La Aviacion Naval in Bahia Blanca. This was to be done as a day trip from Buenos Aires, alas on checking opening times and flight schedules, i would have to return as the museum may be then open. All was not lost, as an email exchange with the museum resulted in museum staff agreeing to open the museum early, although access to the storage and restoration hangars on the active base was not possible on this occasion. On arrival at the co-located airport i was met by a museum staff member who was to be my guide for the day.

The museum is a ten minute drive from the terminal and is located just outside the main gate of the military base. There is a small building containing a shop and display areas showing the history of the country and it's naval aviation. Aircraft exhibits include the forward fuselage of an A-4B although unmarked could possibly be ex 145035, (0289) 2-HE-3 Bell 47, (0032) 1-E-32 Curtiss CW.16E, (0735) 3-H-112 Alouette3 and the frame of Vought V.65F Corsair (0011), additionally there is a mock up of an Eurocopter AS555SN. The outside display area is well laid out including a carrier landing deck marked out complete with 0655, 3-A-302 A-4Q parked on it.

Further exhibits include, (0708) 2-P-112 Lockheed SP-2H said to be the aircraft that during the Falklands war located the warship HMS Sheffield which ultimately led to its sinking. Additionally there are 3 Lockheed Electras present, which were bought in the late 1970s early 1980s and then modified for maritime patrol, more aircraft include:

0692 6-P-106 L-188EK

(0792) (2-P-101) L-188 stored for parts, COPA airlines c/s

(0793) 6-P-104 L-188EW

(0618) 4-A-106 Macchi MB326GB

(0768) 4-A-117 Macchi MB339A

0582 3-A-333 NA T-28F

(0876) 3-H-305 Bell UH-1H on the mock helipad

0675 2-H-231 Sikorsky S-61D4 on the mock helipad

On completing my visit to the museum my guide drove me firstly to Naval Base Puerto Belgrano to photograph the preserved Panther, (0421) 3-A-106 Grumman F-9F.

Next a drive to the nearby town of Punta Alta to visit a naval veterans home within which a small private museum has been created displayed is;

(0777) 4-A-133 Embraer EMB.326GC (tail of 4-A-138)

Last visit of the day was to the small aeroclub airfield located to the west of Bahia Blanca to photograph the preserved MS760 Paris, E-245 FMA MS760A.

After an excellent day with perfect hosts, i then made my way back to the airport terminal for my return flight back to Buenos Aires, feeling very pleased with the results from the visits.

Author & photography

Duncan Campbell