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Pakistan Air Force Museum

Coordinates: 24°52′19″N 67°05′51″E / 24.8720°N 67.0974°E / 24.8720; 67.0974
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Pakistan Air Force Museum
پاک فضائیہ عجائب گھر
Main Entrance
Map
LocationKarachi, Sindh, Pakistan
Coordinates24°52′19″N 67°05′51″E / 24.8720°N 67.0974°E / 24.8720; 67.0974
TypeMilitary museum
CollectionsMilitary equipment, captured and retired aircraft, paintings.
OwnerPakistan Air Force
Websitepafmuseum.com.pk

Pakistan Air Force Museum Faisal (Urdu: پاک فضائیہ عجائب گھر) is the official museum of the Pakistan Air Force located on the south-western edge of PAF Base Faisal near Karsaz Flyover on Shahrah-e-Faisal at Karachi. The museum is the only military aviation museum in Pakistan, with more than 50 aircraft, radars and missiles on display. The museum draws thousands of visitors each day making it one of the most frequently visited tourist attractions in Karachi.[1][2][3][4]

History

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The Museum dates back to the time of colonial rule when two hangars were erected by the British in the remote part of PAF Base Drigh Road which through the years were abandoned. In the years that followed, then Base commander of Faisal Airbase (Abbas Khattak) suggested an idea of establishing a museum to preserve the history of the air force. The museum was established in 1990 under the supervision of Air Cdre (retd) Usman Ghani who renovated the old hangar and developed the barren area. Between 1999 and 2004, the museum was expanded significantly. Additions included children's playing areas, rides, and eateries.[1][3]

Exhibits and collections

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A majority of the aircraft, weapons and radar are displayed outside in the park but the main museum features all major fighter aircraft that have been used by the Pakistan Air Force. The museum also houses the Vickers VC.1 Viking aircraft used by Mohammed Ali Jinnah, founder of Pakistan, and a Folland Gnat of the Indian Air Force, that landed in Pasrur town in the Indo-Pakistani war of 1965. Also on display are the scale models of some World War I, World War II and some more modern aircraft and photo galleries of almost all the squadrons of Pakistan Air Force.[5][6][7][1]

Some of the aircraft that are preserved in the museum are:

Besides those from PAF inventory, visitors can see the captured Folland Gnat of Indian Air Force and Afghan Air Force Mig 21 and Iraq Air Force, Antonov An-12.

A statue of Indian Airforce's Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman along with the parts of the fuselage and tail of his Mig-21 aircraft are also on display in a gallery named Operation Swift Retort.[8]

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  • Main Gate
    Main Gate
  • Mirage III Aircraft
    Mirage III Aircraft
  • F-6 Aircraft
    F-6 Aircraft
  • Archives Gallery
    Archives Gallery
  • Museum Hall at night
    Museum Hall at night
  • Captured Indian Folland Gnat from 1965 war on display at the PAF Museum Gallery.
    Captured Indian Folland Gnat from 1965 war on display at the PAF Museum Gallery.
  • Shenyang F-6 Aircraft
    Shenyang F-6 Aircraft
  • Auster Aiglet retired from the PAF on display at the PAF Museum, Karachi.
    Auster Aiglet retired from the PAF on display at the PAF Museum, Karachi.
  • Fighter plane At PAF Museum
    Fighter plane At PAF Museum
  • Museum Hall Inside View
    Museum Hall Inside View
  • A model of the Martin B-57 bomber and the 30 mm cannon installed on the Shenyang F-6, on display at the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Museum, Karachi.
    A model of the Martin B-57 bomber and the 30 mm cannon installed on the Shenyang F-6, on display at the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Museum, Karachi.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Warnes, Alan (1 September 2020). "MIGS, SABRES AND MORE..." Key Military. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
  2. ^ "Pakistan Air Force Museum". AVIATIONMUSEUM.
  3. ^ a b Khairi, Wallia (1 May 2023). "PRESERVING LOCAL CULTURE". The News International. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
  4. ^ Zehra, Syeda (19 December 2023). "PAF Museum Karachi Entry Ticket Prices, Timings, and More!". Retrieved 23 June 2024.
  5. ^ Japanese sailors visit PAF Museum, Dawn, Published 8 September 2012, Retrieved 14 September 2017
  6. ^ "At Karachi's air force museum, memorabilia include war trophies from India and Israel". Arab News Pakistan. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
  7. ^ Mallic, Tauseef (3 February 2018). "A stroll through the PAF museum: When a soldier takes up brushes, art happens". Dawn News. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
  8. ^ "Statue of Indian pilot Abhinandan installed in Karachi's PAF Museum". Dawn. 13 November 2019.
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