Speyer and Sinsheim museums - Planes

These two museums, which are set up like theme parks, are near Mannheim, about an hour's drive from Karlsruhe, where we were staying, and half an hour from each other.

At first Speyer appeared lightweight, but closer examination showed a more substantial collection. And while the aircraft stored outside and sometimes not in a good state, the aircraft cars and other gear inside is  well presented.

Sinsheim is considerably larger and the collection of cars is enormous and valued at several hundred million dollars. Sinsheim is the only location in the world where a Tupolev Tu-144 and a Concorde are displayed together.

A great shot, technically beyond the specs of the camera, which I took a chance on and came out much better than I had a right to expect.

There is something about the Mil-24 Hind which just looks menacing.

The VFW 614 was a very interesting aircraft. the overwing engine installation had some theoretical advantages but the concept didn't take on and only small numbers were sold.

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This Canadair built Sabre is beautifully displayed.

The marking on this are interesting because nominally it is a French aircraft but with the roundels reversed, similar to those on RAF aircraft. I'm not sure if it is a mistake, a pun, or because of the red paint scheme.

Fokker Dr 1 triplance replica.

Me 109 G-5 (rather than the much more common G-6).

Some of the aircraft outside are in poor shape. This is the nose of a Yakovlev Yak-28 Brewere light bomber, roughly analagous to the Vautour, or early Buccaneer, or Canberra.

The Sukhoi Su-7 fighter bomber had a terrible payload-range so Sukhoi (and Mikoyan) developed a swing version, the Su-20 (and export Su-22) which were much better aircraft.

This is the wing fold part of the MiG-23 Flogger. The electronics was roughly equivalent to an F-4J Phantom but the swing wing was less sophisticated than on an F-111 or Tornado, with 4 positions (rather than highly variable).

Speaking of Phantoms, here is a fine example.

The museum guide has an excellent description of how this 747 got there. Partly by air, then by barge, then by road and finally with a bloody big crane!.

Same Phantom, originally one of the Blue Angels aerobatic team.

F-101 Voodoo is quite a large aircraft and an interesting choice. It was a real Cold War warrior, seeing extensive service in RCAF and USAF colours