France - Musee Europeen de l'Aviation de chasse at Montelimar-Ancone - 2019

Situated a stone's throw from the river Rhone and close to the town of Montelimar, famous for its Nougat production since the 1700's is the Musee Europeen de l'Aviation de chasse. A Mirage 3B is located on a nearby roundabout clearly pointing you in the correct direction of the museum, which is just off the D875. 

Since its founding in 1987 the collection has amassed over sixty aircraft, along with a extensive array of engines and models. Clearly the main aim is to show the development of the fighter aircraft in Europe with an unsurprising concentration on Dassault types including a replica of a Mirage G8 built with some original parts. Other manufactures and countries are well represented with types from the United kingdom, Sweden, Russia, Poland, Germany, Switzerland and the US. The majority of the exhibits are housed in a number of hangars and are in excellent condition, photo opportunities are decent in some and rather challenging in others whilst the outside collection is well placed albeit in need of a coat of paint . There is an operational OV-10B Bronco based here as the museum is adjacent to the airfield of Montelimar-Ancone, the hangar where this is housed is not normally open for public viewing. 

Be sure to visit the restoration hangar, one of the museum's core mission statements is to preserve French and European aviation history for future generations. On recovery projects the air frame integrity is never compromised even if it entails a more expensive transportation , the aim where possible is to restore to such a condition that if and when funds became available the aircraft could potentially be made airworthy.

The museum is open every day of the year except Christmas day, with ample car parking, it is an aviation gem in the heart of the Rhone Valley and well worth a visit.

Author & photography 

Warren Hardcastle