Air Force Museum or Aviation Museum at Delhi

By George On

Air Force Museum is the museum of the Indian Air Force, situated at Palam Air Force Station in New Delhi. It is one of the two Military Aviation Museums in India.

Entrance to Air Force Museum, Palam, New Delhi
Entrance to the Museum at Palam, New Delhi.

There is an indoor public gallery inside the aviation museum, which houses a rich collection of memorabilia, historical photographs, uniforms, weapons, ceremonial swords, etc., from the Indian Air Force’s inception in 1932. There is also an outdoor gallery with war trophies, captured enemy vehicles, radar, etc. There is a souvenir corner.

This air and space museum has a hangar with small aircraft, vehicles, ordnance, anti-aircraft guns, etc. Larger aircraft are also there, displayed outside the hanger.

The Annexe section of the Military Aviation Museum contains portraits of Indian Air Force heroes. There is a statue of Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, the only one to have been awarded the ‘Param Vir Chakra‘ (India’s highest military decoration), for his exemplary courage shown during the Indo-Pak War 1971. He shoots down two US-built Pakistani Air Force Sabre aircraft fighter planes. There is the photograph of Wing Commander K.K. Majumdar, the only one awarded the ‘Flying Cross‘ twice.

There is another section in this air and space museum for the Second World War heroes of the Indian Air Force. Marut (HF-24), made by HAL Bangalore, the First Indian-made fighter plane, is another attraction.

There is a separate section inside this Museum, which is not open to the public generally. This section is open only on the Air Force Day, i.e., 8th October. This section contains the Vintage Aircraft section with some rare Air Force airplanes in airworthy condition.

How do I go to the Air Force Museum?

This museum is situated at Palam, New Delhi. Palam is well connected to all parts of New Delhi and the rest of the country/world.

What are the Timings of the Aviation Museum in Delhi?

This Aviation Museum at Delhi, is open Wednesday to Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed on Government holidays.

There are no charges for entering the Air Force Aerospace Museum in New Delhi.