Indian Air Force Museum Delhi

[Jeroen D]

We've been living in Delhi for about eight months now. Various friends have been telling me I should visit the Indian Air Force Museum. Had not got around doing so, but today I finally did.

It's only 15 minutes from where we live. These days I move around Delhi in true Indian fashion; I got myself a fully restored 1975 Royal Enfield Bullit motor cycle.

I'm 54 and had never ever ridden a motor bike before! So I thought it would be a great idea to learn to ride in Delhi traffic. I'm Dutch I've been riding bicycles all my life! How hard can a motor cycle be?

My wife wasn't particular keen on my flying back in Kansas City. (All those little planes fall down all the time!). She is even less enthusiast about the motor bike in Delhi. The deal was as follows: I was only supposed to drive around the neighborhood. So officially, I now have driven well over a 1000 kilometers the last couple of weeks. All around our block!

Got my Indian Motor Cycle Drivers License and all! In itself quite an adventure. Read all about it here:

http://www.india.jeroendorrestein.com/india/Jeroens_new_hobby.html  scroll down.

Anyway, the Air force museum is quite nice. On its web site and brochure all planes look beautiful, polished, clean and tidy. Delhi being Delhi by the time I showed up they were very, very dusty. The dust in this town is truly unbelievable. The planes were not that well maintained, but still it is an interesting collection. Lots of Russian stuff. You don't see to much Russian planes in Western European museums.

Spend about two and a half hour doing the rounds. Here are some photographs:

http://www.india.jeroendorrestein.com/india/Short_trips/Pages/Air_Force_Museum_Delhi.html


Jeroen

[farrokh747]

Jeroen, good stuff....

as soon as the snow clears, head for Ladakh, Nubra valley and Pangong lake....  truly magical...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tGq13TDxCs&playnext=1&list=PLYChsju18YYytjPNtmTC-L21GoPL1jt3R&feature=results_main

our last shoot there....

[frumpy]

Good story, good photos. I am also thinking about going to
asia next winter, probably India will be on that list too. So
I'll keep in mind the airforce museum in Delhi!

I hope you wear a helmet on that Enfield?

[Shiv Mathur]

Jeroen D, you've got a wonderfully entertaining and humorous writing style.  Really enjoyed your blog!

Shiv

[Jeroen D]

Good story, good photos. I am also thinking about going to
asia next winter, probably India will be on that list too. So
I'll keep in mind the airforce museum in Delhi!

I hope you wear a helmet on that Enfield?

Let me know when you're here! And yes, I do wear a helmet.

Jeroen

[Jeroen D]

Jeroen D, you've got a wonderfully entertaining and humorous writing style.  Really enjoyed your blog!

Shiv

thanks

Jeroen

[frumpy]

I'm in India right now, near Chennai. Got an Enfield too,
above 4000 rpm it's quite hammering No helmet this
time (left-side traffic!), after a few hours I decided that
it's safer to walk than being overtaken closely
by busses at 80 km/h.
Internet over here is very bad, but still two photos:

[farrokh747]

hi frumpy (sorry don't know your real name)

give us a shout if passing thru Mumbai....

c

fc

[Jeroen Hoppenbrouwers]

Ha, that first photo reminds me of what the vegetation here tries to do to our car when we don't use it for three hours.


Hoppie

[Phil Bunch]

Ha, that first photo reminds me of what the vegetation here tries to do to our car when we don't use it for three hours.


Hoppie

Hoppie,

Is this vegetation the infamous kudzu plant?  It really does almost grow while you watch.   I'm originally from the Atlanta region, and I've seen it overwhelm a vacant lot in not too many months.

I've read that exotic snakes as well as exotic bugs are also a challenge in parts of Florida...

[Jeroen D]

I'm in India right now, near Chennai. Got an Enfield too,
above 4000 rpm it's quite hammering No helmet this
time (left-side traffic!), after a few hours I decided that
it's safer to walk than being overtaken closely
by busses at 80 km/h.
Internet over here is very bad, but still two photos:

Nice, but you really shouldnt rev an old bullet like thay. You're lucky it did not fall apart. You're supposed to be just thumpin around on it.

Traffic is murderous here. No matter how hot or humid I will always wear my helmet, gloves, special pants and my special biker jacket.

Let me know if you get to Delhi or Mumbai

Enjoy India, its a beautifull country!

Jeroen

[frumpy]

Hi guys,

thanks for response. Even though one connection flight goes
via Delhi (Air India 787, good stuff!), I'll only be in the
Chennai region. Thanks for the offer!

Olli

p.s. I wont punish the Enfield again!

p.p.s. Yes, beautiful, somehow. I respect it more and
more every day.

[Magoo]

I'm glad you're having fun. Well done on riding a bike in dhl! I love India, the food, the people and so much to see. Enjoy your time there!

[cavaricooper]

Jeroen D:

I too have been surreptitiously following your blog- in particular the bit on Darjeeling.  I attended St. Paul's School there for several years, and flew into Bagdogra and took the bus up to Jalapahar.  Some of the street shots were very familiar.

The tea plantation shots brought back many happy memories of large tea drying rooms and the incessant chant of "two leaves and a bud."

I loved the respite from the madding crowd.... please continue to share- most pleasant.

Ta!

C

[frumpy]

Jeroen D,

I might get a flight to Delhi on Sept. 22nd at noon, leaving around
48h hours later to go back to Germany. I'm not sure if
I'll go, since I could go as well from  Chennai to Germany -
just want to check if you are around? Can you show PSX
to me? :-p

Internet over here is slow, can you contact me via
[edited ]
I haven't decided yet what to do, just want to check out the possibilities...

Thanks,

Olli

[Jeroen D]

Hi
Ill mail you as well. Would have loved to, but Im leaving for a business trip to Europe this Friday evening and I dont get back to Delhi untill 30th of september.
On my way Delhi Mumbai right now

Jeroen

[frumpy]

Ah okay, tough luck this time. Well, saves some money
for other stuff.

Let me know if you come to Berlin, we have an
Airforce museum too with many russian made aircraft

Olli

[Jeroen D]

Take care and lets stay in touch
Jeroen