Bangladesh Air Force Museum

History
     Preservation of national history plays a significant role for the development of a nation through ages, because history and heritage remind the past and inspire the future generation to bring the country to the way of development. So, the museum of a country plays an important role preserving the historical events. BAF Museum was established on 17 June 1987. It is housed in the Number 3 hanger of BAF Base Bashar, Dhaka Cantonment. Within its lofty interior, different phased out aircraft have been kept including the aircrafts those took part in our glorious Liberation War.
Items Displayed at BAF Museum
The historical aircraft and other items displayed in the BAF Museum are described below:

Airtech Canadan DHE – 3/1000 OTTER

This old modeled Canada made aircraft was piston-engine operated. The skilled technicians of BAF who had participated in the Liberation War transformed this aircraft into a fighter cum-bomber through their relentless efforts to use it in air operations. Arrangement was made to set rocket pod under two wings besides machine gun and bomb dropping facilities inside the aircraft. On 03 December 1971, air attack was launched with this aircraft on Burma Eastern Oil Refinery in Chittagong as well on Chittagong Port.

Hunter Aircraft

The Hunter aircraft first flew in 1951 and Indian Air Force had been using it since December 1957. It was a highly potent and reliable multi-role aircraft of its time. The Indian Air Force continues to fly the hunter till this day. Armament capability: 4 x Guns x 135 Rounds + 4 x 1000 lb. Bombs or 2 x 19-68 mm rockets. During the War of Liberation of Bangladesh this aircraft flew for ground attack and air defence roles.

MIG – 21 FL Aircraft

The Mig – 21 (FL version) entered in Indian Air Force in 1965 which continues to be in services till date. It was manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. Armament capability: 01 Gun x 200 rd + 2 x 500 Kg bombs or 2 x 16 – 57 mm rockets or 2 x IK – 13 missiles. During the War of Liberation of Bangladesh this aircraft flew in air defence, counter air operations, interdiction and battle field strike roles.

GNAT Aircraft  

Gnat was the lightest and smallest jet fighter ever made. It served in the Indian Air Force from 1958 to 1990. It was manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. Armament Capability: 02 Guns x 90 rds + 2 x 500 lbs bombs or 02 x 3 inchs x 6 rockets. During the War of Liberation of Bangladesh, three Gnat fighters were used that shot down three Pakistan Air Force Sabre jets in the Bogra Sector on 22 November 1971.

GLIDER Aircraft

This Germany made aircraft was first flown in April 1982. The highest 150 km/hr speed aircraft used in BAF from April 1982 to January 1997.

Short description of the aircraft is:
Length :   7.5 m
Span   :    15.4 m
Height :   1.9 m
Weight :   400 Kg
Ceiling height :   5000 m

F-86 FIGHTER Aircraft

Pakistan Military used this type of USA made aircraft against us in the War of Liberation of Bangladesh in 1971. The occupation forces left these aircraft in damaged condition. The BAF Engineering officers and technicians made this aircraft serviceable which made successful flight on 26 March 1972.

Short description of the aircraft is :
Length :   37 ft 6 inch
Height :   14 ft 9 inch
Weight :   14800 lbs
Maximum speed :   977 Km/hr
Span :   37 ft 1 inch

FT – 5 Trainer Aircraf

This China made trainer aircraft had first flown in BAF in June 1979 and last flown in January 1981. It was used for the training of the pilots of fighter aircraft.

Short description of the aircraft is :
Height :   3.80 m
Length :   11.50 m
Weight :   4081 kg
Speed :    .0935 Mack
Span :    9.63 m

F-6 Fighter Aircraft

This Chinese aircraft was inducted in BAF in 1977 and phased out in 1998. This aircraft played a commendable role on air defence in BAF.

Short description of the aircraft is :
Maximum speed :   1955 km/hr
Ceiling Height :   17500 m
No of Cannon :   03
Caliber of the cannon :    30 mm
No of Rocket :    32x57 mm

MIG -21 Trainer Aircraft

This Russian aircraft was inducted in BAF in 1973 and phased out in 2000. This aircraft was used for the training of the BAF Pilots.

Short description of the aircraft is :
Maximum speed :   2500 km/hr
No of Machine Gun :    01
Caliber of Machine Gun :    23 mm
No of Rocket :    64x57 mm

MIG-21 Fighter Aircraft

This Russian aircraft was inducted in BAF in 1973 and phased out in 2000.

Short description of the aircraft is :
Maximum speed :   2500 km/hr
No of Machine Gun :    01
Caliber of Machine gun :    23 mm
No of rocket :    57x64 mm

MI-8 Helicopter

Bangladesh Air Force procured this type of helicopter from Russia during the period from 1972 to 1981. This helicopter was phased out in 1999.

Short description of the Helicopter is :
Height : 5.6 m
Length : 25.28 m
Weight : 7414 kg
Maximum speed : 250 km/hr
Carrying capacity : 4000 kg
Passenger capacity : 24
Bomb capacity : 2x500 kg
No of Machine gun : 06
No of rocket : 64x57 mm

AN-24 Transport Aircraft

This Russia made two turbo propelled engine operated aircraft was first flown on trial basis in 1958 and flown in April 1960. It was inducted in BAF in 1973 and was known in BAF as BALAKA. It was officially used by the then Hon’ble President and the Prime Minister. The fuel capacity of this aircraft was 5550 litres. Pilot, Co-pilots, Flight Engineer, Radio Operator and Navigator were the crew of the aircraft. It had the capacity for 44 passengers.

T-37 Aircraft

This USA made aircraft first flown in BAF 1996 and last flown in 1999.

Short description of the aircraft is :
Length : 29.30 feet
Span : 33.80 feet
Height : 9.20 feet
Weight : 7000 lbs
Ceiling height : 25000 feet

FT-6 Aircraft

This aircraft was inducted in BAF in 1981.

Short description of the aircraft is :
Maximum speed : 17500 m
Ceiling height : 17500 m
Length : 15.015 m
No of Cannon : 03
Caliber of the Cannon : 30 mm
No of Rocket : 32x57 mm

Air Tourer Jet Trainer

This Newzealand made aircraft was used at the Flying Instructors’ School of BAF from 1973 to 1979 to train the students of Flying Instructors’ Course.

Short description of the aircraft is :
Height : 07 feet
Length : 22 feet
Maximum speed : 160 km/hr
Ceiling height : 25000 feet

PT – 6 Aircraft

This China made training aircraft was inducted in BAF in 1977. It was a basic training aircraft.

Short description of the aircraft is :
Maximum speed : 287 km/hr
Weight : 1400 kg
Length : 8.46 m
Fuel capacity : 75 litre

FOUGA

This France made aircraft is in BAF from 1978 to 2000 for advanced training of the pilots.

Short description of the aircraft is :
Maximum speed : 756 km/hr
Ceiling height : 25000 feet

A-5III Fighter Aircraft

This Chinese aircraft inducted in BAF in 1986. This aircraft played an important role in the air defence as well as ground defence.

Short description of the aircraft is :
Maximum speed : 1225 km/hr
Ceiling height : 16400 m
Fuel capacity : 5240 litre

P-35M RADAR

P-35M is a 2D, long range, air surveillance radar. 02X sets of P-35M radars were collected from Russia (Former USSR) in 1974. It is a mobile radar, designed for detection and identification of air targets flying at low and medium altitude. It had the IFF system for electronic identification of aircraft. The surveillance range of the radar was 370 M. The RPM was 3 and 6.

PRV-11 RADAR

PRV –11 is a long range, mobile, height finding radar. 02Xsets of PRV-11 radars were collected from Russia (Former USSR) and installed in BAF in 1974. It was capable of measuring height, range and bearing of aircraft flying within its coverage. The range of the radar was 410 KM and height was 85 KM. It was capable of measuring the upper and lower height of the clouds. The radar was designed to work in co-ordination with P-35M radar. The radars were phased out in 1988.
Mannequins Twelve mannequins made by Glass Fiber representing the different types of uniform used by the officers and airmen of Bangladesh Air Force are displayed in BAF Museum .
Honour Boards Nine honour boards are maintained for COAS, ACAS (O&T), ACAS (M), ACAS (A) and Base Commanders of five (05) BAF Bases (BAF Base Bashar, Matiur, Zahurul Haque and Paharkanchanpur) showing their rank, names, and the duration of the appointment.
Portraits Different kinds of portraits have been preserved in BAF Museum :

(1) Ten for the retired COAS.
(2) One for the Birshrestha Shaheed Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman
(3) One for Sergeant Zahurul Haque who was killed by Pakistani Soldier during the mass movement in 1969.
(4) One for Group Captain M Saiful Azam who is recognized as one of the best Pilot of the World and awarded with Top Gun Certificate.

Murals 56 Murals reflecting the natural view of our mother land and the historical back ground of the liberation war up to the achievement of the independence.