Aviation and aerospace museums may not be everyone’s cup of tea. But the Saqr Al-Jazeera Aviation Museum is a worthwhile goal even for those of you who generally don’t find technology-related museums that titillating. The Aviation Museum will certainly be thematically integrated into the future King Salman Park, with its northern tip adjacent to the Museum, making it even more exciting.
It’s complex, located at the intersection of King Abdullah Rd and Eastern Ring Rd, consists of a two-storey museum building and an outdoor space where many original aircraft are displayed, among other things, a black Douglas B-26B “Invader” (mfd: 1955 – 1964) that can be seen in the photo above.
The museum tells the story of the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) in a clear and entertaining way. It takes you through the historical development of the RSAF and its establishment at the behest of King Abdulaziz Bin Rahman Al Saud over 65 years ago.
In its building the exhibition features real aircraft, their scale models, photos and documents. Old documents and photos are used to tell the story of how King Abdulaziz started with five aircraft about a hundred years ago until today the Kingdom has hundreds of the most powerful aircraft in the world.
In addition indoor galleries include anti-aircraft weapons, pilot equipment, navigation systems and a “space” corner with the gadgets and equipment needed for a space flight. Computers that you can use deepen their knowledge of the aircraft. Especially for children and adolescents, the museum offers an exciting change of pace.
Address:
Eastern Ring Rd, King Abdullah Rd, Riyadh 12451
Open:
Fri – Sat: 4 p.m. – 9 p.m., Sun – Wed: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.. Closed: Tues
Free entrance; no website; www.visitsaudi.com
More Information about this and other museums in Riyadh you can find in my ebook “Dr. Hans-F. Loth – Travel Guide Riyadh and Jeddah”.
