On Sunday, October 5th I got up at 5:50 am (we had gained an hour by "Falling Back" Saturday night, so it was really 6:50 am), and caught the 7:15 am bus to the central bus station in Be'er Sheva, followed by the 7:40 am Bus 31 to Hazerim and the Israeli Air Force Museum. The bus was about 10 minutes late leaving, and we arrived at the museum at 8:15. I watched the 15 minute film about the Israeli Air Force in the Museum's Boeing 707. Then I started to make my way around some of the more than 100 planes. There were many F-4 Phantoms, the type which my dad flew in the U.S. Air Force, which made me wonder if the mayor of Be'er Sheva, a retired Air Force general who also founded the museum, flew F-4s as well. I was amazed to see 5 F-4s in a row, interrupted by the lone F-15. There was also a big Boeing Stratocruiser, a PBY Catalina flying boat, and a CH-53 Super Stallion helicopter (aka Jolly Green Giant), as well as numerous French Mirage fighers, and one example each of the MIG-15, 17, 21, and 23. Too many to mention here, but despite the heat, I enjoyed the visit very much. (Almost everything is outdoors in the desert heat, except a small building with displays on search and rescue and Israeli Air Force history since 1948. One noticeable thing is that no current planes in the inventory are on display, except an early model F-15A. I am definitely taking Dad here when he comes to visit!
