Al Mahatta museum, Sharjah

[Archer]

Thanks to a conference in Dubai, I suddenly found myself very near this little museum, which is based in the old 1930s resthouse/fort from Imperial Airways days. I figured some of you might be interested in seeing these photos.

ZA149_AlMahatta_Nov2018 by Jelle Hieminga, on Flickr

ZA149_AlMahatta_Nov2018_8 by Jelle Hieminga, on Flickr

DSC_3526_resize by Jelle Hieminga, on Flickr

DSC_3547_resize by Jelle Hieminga, on Flickr

DSC_3519_resize by Jelle Hieminga, on Flickr

DSC_3540_resize by Jelle Hieminga, on Flickr

DSC_3669_resize by Jelle Hieminga, on Flickr

DSC_3685_resize by Jelle Hieminga, on Flickr

More images available upon request...

[Swanoir]

What a great find! A fine collection.

[Paul K]

That's a smart little museum, and some great exhibits too. Thanks for posting.

[DaveG]

Lovely collection. Thanks for taking the time to post Jelle.

[Tomliner]

Lovely pics of some great British classics and of course the beautiful DC3. Thanks very much for posting them. EricT

[Nigel H-J]

Wonderful pictures especially of the Auster, many thanks for posting.

Regards
Nigel.

[Archer]

Thanks guys!

Interestingly, that Auster was flown over the site of old RAF Sharjah on 5th October 2012 to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the first passenger airplane to land in the UAE. The original airplane in question was a HP42. The Auster was purchased for the museum by the Ruler of Sharjah, probably earlier in 2012.

It is a nice little museum, with additional displays in the old resthouse showing parts, some engines and memorabelia and photos from the early days. There is also a larger display on how aircraft fly and about Air Arabia. I was also treated to a private display (I was very near to being the only visitor) of a 1937 filmclip called 'Air Outpost', which I've since found on Youtube as well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqnBBPAMUL4

[Airspeed]

Thanks, Archer!
Like they said, great find, and interesting range.

[Hot_Charlie]

What happened to all the VC10 autopilot controllers? I see '149 has a paper one!

[Archer]

Indeed it has a facsimile autopilot controller. I don't know where it went, I guess there's a market for them somewhere