Vietnamese Air Force/Air Defence Museum, Hanoi.

[firth1974 2,659]

Military history buff time again.(For those that like war related things).

I paid a visit to the Vietnamese Air Force/Air Defence museum in Hanoi. Stroke of luck finding this place really, as i came across it whilst reading some reviews of other places in Hanoi on Tripadvisor. That website is fantastic for research.

The museum is located on the old disused Bach Mai airfield, and located towrds the south end of Hanoi. You would think even having a map (written in vietnamese) and the address written in vietnamese script, that a taxi should have no problems finding this place. Wrong! Apparently its not easy to find, and after driving around a bit, and me fantically pointing at aircraft on the side of the road, my driver found it!!

Entrance fee i believe was only 15,000 VND, and like all other museums in vietnam, closes for lunch and doesnt open again on time afterwards. Security guard had to call the museum for the girl to come and collect my entrance fee. Had to wait 15 mins for the girl to turn up, and in that time the guard gave me his seat in the shade and a glass of ice water. Who says communists arent friendly people, i felt touched by his act of kindness.

Tripadvisor says allow 1 hour here, but i would say 2-2.5 hours is enough to get around it all at a steady pace. No restaurant inside, or even drinks machines, so amke sure you have your own water with you. Bad mistake on my part not having any this time.

Propaganda at its best!!.....................

Every museum you go to have some kind of shot down aircraft junk, this one is noexception!!..........

[firth1974 2,659]

This is one big ass helicopter. Does any know what its name is?.................

Compared to the cars, you can se just how big this monster really is......................

Surprised actually, that most of these jets on show still have their engines inside..................

Uncle Ho gets everywhere........................

Believe it or not, this is actually a bomb shelter, and if you could actaully see just how thick the rope is, you'll realise just how tight it must be in there........

[firth1974 2,659]

You can even sit in the cockpit of a MIG-21, and realise just how much of a squeeze it is in there. How there managed to dogfight, i have no idea at all!!!.............

[firth1974 2,659]

[Fornicator 106]

Another great pictorial, thanks! So what is the name of that big ass helicopter ?

[firth1974 2,659]

Another great pictorial, thanks! So what is the name of that big ass helicopter ?

Thanks Forny.

 

Just had that one answered on another board, apparently it is a MI - 6

[nkped 1,208]

Thanks Forny.

 

Just had that one answered on another board, apparently it is a MI - 6

Old Soviet heavy lifter, NATO codename Hook. No, I wouldn't have gotten it without firth telling us. The U.S. military IDs look genuine.