The Rahmi M Koç Museum can, I think, fairly be described as one of Istanbul’s hidden gems. It started life as the private collection of the eponymous Turkish industrialist, but has since grown into an exhibition dedicated to transport, engineering and construction.
The museum’s collection policy can probably best be described as ‘quirky’! We went to look at the aircraft, but there are boats, a submarine, locomotives, cars and even a Routemaster bus amongst the many, many other artefacts on show. The traction engine display even has a Fred Dibnah video playing; quite what your average Turk would make of Fred’s dulcet Lancastrian tones is anyone’s guess.
Located in the suburb of Haskoy, the museum is a 20-minute ferry ride across the Golden Horn from the main ferry terminal at Eminonu - the website is at http://www.rmk-museum.org.tr/english/index.html .
Located in the suburb of Haskoy, the museum is a 20-minute ferry ride across the Golden Horn from the main ferry terminal at Eminonu - the website is at http://www.rmk-museum.org.tr/english/index.html .
A definite bonus on the ferry trip, Seabird Airlines’ DHC6 Twin Otter TC-SBA was moored on the shores of the Golden Horn.
The more-or-less obligatory Starfighter on a pole, the museum’s example is FIAT-built 75-6895.
Replica Pitts S2C Special BAPC-143 in the markings of the Rothmans Aerobatic Team’s G-AXNZ.
Former Turkish Army Bellanca 7 Citabria 10133 is located in the ‘hands on’ area.
BAC Jet Provost T3 G-BWDR served with the RAF as XM376.
Bug Bomber! Ayres S2R Turbo Thrush TC-ZMC.
Beech T34A Mentor TC-CCD has been repainted in Turkish Air Force markings as OK-12.
Consolidated B24 Liberator 41-24311, ‘Hadley’s Harem’, was one of a group of aircraft that left Benghazi in Libya, on 1st August 1943, to attack the oil refinery at Ploesti in Romania. As it approached the target, the B24 was hit by a shell, causing a fatality and serious damage. The crew managed to drop their bombs and then set course for home.
Subsequent engine problems led to a decision to divert to Cyprus, but the aircraft couldn’t maintain flight and it ditched in the sea off the coast of Antalya in Turkey.
The nose section and other major components were raised from the seabed in 1995.
Which came first, the building or the aircraft? Douglas C47 Skytrain TC-ALI spent most of its working life in corporate service.
Dornier Do28D Skyservant 10041.
In the museum annexe on the other side of the main road are former Swiss Air Force DH100 Vampire FB6 G-MKIV, now painted as WL505, and Bensen B8M gyrocopter TC-UAP.
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