Aviation Photography - Hellenic Air Force Museum

Hellenic Air Force Museum (Helliniki Aeroporia Moussio)
Dekelia Air Base
Tatoi, Greece
2010 to 2024

The 'Leros hangar'

The Hellenic Air Force Museum is found within Dekelia air base it was once only accessible by permission from HAF HQ, from 2021 it was open to the general public on weekends from 10:00.

The Hellenic Air Force Museum was founded in 1986, since 1992 was located within Dekelia Air Base, north of Athens. From 2021 the museum came under the control of the HAF General Staff and is now much easier to visit. Its collection of over 40 aircraft consists mostly of US built former HAF jet fighters (including multiple examples of F-84, F-102, F-104, T-33 and A-7s). There is a restoration area nearby with a 'boneyard' of around 20 surplus aircraft, this area is not officially open to the public.

Some of the restored aircraft are displayed in the large and impressive 'Leros' hangar, which is a survivor in its own right. It is one of two built by the Regia Aeronautica Italiana in the 1930s to house seaplanes at their Lakki naval base, during their 31-year occupation of the Aegean island of Leros from 1912, during the Italian-Turkish War (1911 to 1912). During World War Two after Italy surrendered, the hangars were dismantled and re-erected by the Royal Hellenic Air Force, one at Dekelia, the other at Elefsina air bases.

Grumman HU-16B Albatross (51-7190 '190') outside the museum hangar

Left to right: Grumman HU-16B Albatross (51-7190 '190').

Left to right: Grumman HU-16B Albatross (51-7204 '204').

Left to right: Curtis SB2C-5 Helldiver (83321 '3321').

Supermarine Spitfire LF Mk.IX (MJ755 'F-H' registered G-CLGS), known as the 'The Greek Spitfire'.

Left to right: Supermarine Spitfire LF Mk.IX (MJ755 'F-H' registered G-CLGS), known as the 'The Greek Spitfire', it has been wonderfully restored to flying condition. MJ755, built in 1943, served with the RAF in the Middle East, France, Italy, and Austria in pursuit of the retreating German armies. In 1947 MJ755 was one of at least 77 Spitfires transferred to the then Royal Hellenic Air Force. It served with 335 Squadron at Sedes; three years later it was fitted with two fuselage mounted cameras for reconnaissance. On December 8, 1953, MJ755 made its final flight and put into storage, surviving the scrapyards it commenced gate-guard duties at Dekelia. The Hellenic War Museum in Athens were to exhibit the clipped-wing Mk.IX Spitfire for many years before the start of a restoration at Dekelia in 2008. Although it was more or less fully complete progress was slow, until the Icarus Foundation stepped in with funds for a complete restoration to flying condition at the Biggin Hill Spitfire Factory in the UK. As one of the most authentic and original restorations ever carried out, after only two years in 2020, it made its first flight in 67 years. In May 2021 if flew out of Biggin Hill on its return to Greece via France, Italy, and Corfu. Now housed in the ‘Leros’ hangar it performs engine runs every Wednesday but only to small, pre-booked groups, usually schools.

Left to right: Republic F-84G Thunderjet (51-10822 marked '998').

Left to right: Republic F-84F Thunderstreak (painted as '26595' reported as 52-6361).

Left to right: Republic RF-84F Thunderflash (17011).

Left to right: North American F-86D Sabre (52-10067 'FU-067').

Canadair CL-13 Sabre 2 (F-86E) painted in 'Elliniki Flogas' colours as '202' it is really 19169.

Left to right: Canadair CL-13 Sabre 2 (F-86E) painted in 'Elliniki Flogas' colours as '202' it is really 19169.
Canadair CL-13 Sabre 2 (F-86E) painted as '12010 FU-910' and inscribed 'Beauteous Butch II', it is really HAF 19168. In the restoration/storage area by 2024.

Left to right: Canadair CL-13 Sabre 2 (F-86E), (unmarked 19146).

Left to right: Canadair CL-13 Sabre 2 (F-86E), (unmarked 19199).

Lockheed T-33A Shooting Star (53-5029 'TR-029').

Left to right: Lockheed T-33A Shooting Stars (53-5029 'TR-029' and 58-0519 'TR-519').

Left to right: Convair TF-102A Delta Dagger (56-2355 marked '62335') it arrived in Greece on November 25, 1970 and retired from service on January 31, 1977 when at Tanágra.

Left to right: Convair TF-102A Delta Dagger (0-54035).

Left to right: Lockheed F-104G Starfighter (7415).

Left to right: Lockheed F-104G Starfighters (63-12720 and 7151).

Left to right: Lockheed TF-104G Starfighter (5908).

Left to right: Northrop F-5A Freedom Fighter (65-10541).

Left to right: Northrop F-5A Freedom Fighter (63-8405).
Northrop RF-5A Freedom Fighter (69-7170) inscribed '349 MAH 1967-1997'.

Left to right: Cessna T-37B Tweety Bird (67-14742 'TE-742').

Left to right: Cessna T-37C Tweety Bird (70-1959 'TE-959').

Left to right: Cessna T-37B Tweety Bird (68-8081 'TE-081'), previously preserved at Kalamata in 2013.
Dassault Mirage F.1CG (101).

Left to right: LTV A-7E Corsair II (158825) repainted in its amazing tiger scheme dating back to its time with the now disbanded 335 Mira 'Tiger' Squadron.
LTV A-7E Corsair II (158825) the former 336 Mira's specially painted 'Olympos' aircraft with its evocative motto 'Fly Low, Hit Hard'.