Historical Planes in a Historic Place
The aviation collection of the Museum of Military History of the Bundeswehr is located at the historic Berlin-Gatow airfield in the Kladow district of Germany’s capital.
The Gatow airfield was constructed between 1934 and 1935 as a training base and college for the Luftwaffe. At the end of the Second World War, it was briefly occupied by Soviet forces before being ceded to British control following the division of Berlin.
The base remained under British authority—serving both Royal Air Force and British Army roles—until 1994, when it was returned to German control. It ceased functioning as an airport in 1995, and portions of its runways were later redeveloped for residential use.
Today, the museum displays a wide range of aircraft, both indoors and outdoors, spanning from the early days of aviation to the present. In addition to aircraft, visitors can explore exhibits featuring uniforms, land vehicles, and other military artefacts.
At that, Let’s have a look:
Indoor Exhibitions
The indoor exhibitions are housed in Hangar 3 and the former control tower.
Hangar 3 features aircraft from the earliest era of powered flight through to the modern day. Its central atrium is complemented by side rooms containing artefacts focused on specific aspects of both World Wars..
The atrium makes excellent use of space, showcasing an eclectic mix of aircraft from different periods and countries. Highlights include a Halberstadt CL.IV biplane representing German aviation in the First World War, alongside Second World War aircraft such as the Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet and Focke-Wulf Fw 190.
The Cold War period is well represented. A Canadair Sabre Mk.5 in West German markings stands in contrast to a Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 from East Germany. Later developments are illustrated by aircraft such as the Panavia Tornado and MiG-29, reflecting both late Cold War and reunified Germany.
Other notable exhibits include the distinctive Fairey Gannet, a British designed anti-submarine aircraft that was used by the West German navy, a DeHavilland Chipmunk, and a Bell UH-1 Iriquois helicopter.
The control tower building houses displays of 20th-century German military uniforms, along with an informative exhibit comparing the organizational structures of East and West German air forces.
Outdoor Exhibitions
The outdoor exhibits are equally diverse but focus primarily on the Cold War.
Aircraft from both East and West Germany are displayed alongside those from NATO allies stationed in West Germany. These include Royal Air Force aircraft such as the English Electric Lightning and Hawker Hunter, as well as French aircraft like the Dassault Super Mystère and Mirage III.
A particularly notable exhibit is a Royal Australian Air Force Douglas Dakota, representing the international effort behind the Berlin Airlift, for which Gatow served as a key base.
Near the entrance, a long row of jet aircraft is arranged by role, including fighter, strike, reconnaissance, and trainer types from various nations and eras.
Elsewhere, larger aircraft such as the C-160 Transall and Breguet Atlantic highlight Franco-German cooperation.
One of the most striking displays is a Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, mounted to demonstrate its use in ZELL (zero-length launch) experiments. These systems aimed to launch aircraft using rockets instead of runways, though they were ultimately abandoned due to practical limitations and advances in missile technology.
The Starfighter played a major role in NATO air forces during the Cold War. Operated by nine European nations, as well as Canadian and American units stationed in Europe, it remained in service from the early 1960s until its final retirement by Italy in 2004. Despite many controversies, it became an enduring symbol of Western air power.
In addition to aircraft, the outdoor exhibits include radar systems and ground-based air defence equipment, with examples from both sides of the Cold War.
As expected for an outdoor museum, many aircraft show signs of weathering. While some have been recently restored, others await refurbishment. Nevertheless, all appear well maintained and structurally sound.
The museum states in their information brochure that it is in the process of a multi-year renovation and update program. Hopefully, this means that some of the aircraft sitting outside right now, will find permanent housing indoors one day.
Paying a Visit and Learning More
Although located outside central Berlin, the museum is well worth a visit and easily accessible via the city’s efficient public transportation system.
My trip there from the centre of the city took approximately an hour, including exchanges and a walk of a little over one kilometre from the nearest bus stop to the museum.
Limited parking is also available for those arriving by car.
Please note that the information and photographs in this article are based on a visit in April 2026. For the most current details, consult the museum’s official website.
Pickled Wings 