Italian Air Force Museum

[Dave Hackett]

Looks like I am doing Rome about the first week of April, and I am getting a pass for the museum. Does anyone know if there are any trains or public transportation to "near" the museum? How long a trip is it? How long to plan at the museum? Anything that should be seen in the area?

I have looked at the sites I could find on google, but I am looking for real world how to. If you have been and have recommendations about transport then please post........

Perhaps we need a Museum section on the board to provide the insights, guidance, transportation, .......

dave

[JimH]

Don't know about transportation we had a coach, but it is well worth a visit. Its situated next to a lake and you would never guess there was an Air Force Museum there. It takes about 2 hours to see the whole thing...like any museum though you can spend the entire day reading all the display cards.

jim

[Dave Hackett]

Thanks Jim....exactly what I was looking for! You can't beat a candid review....

Anymore out there?

dave

[JDK]

First reaction... Hmmm.

Mrs JDK and I took a day there, and it was 'tricky' to get to from Rome. We took the train (straightforward) and got off at Bracciano (NOT Vigna di Valle - no taxis, nothing there). We then got help from the tourist information (in Bracciano town square) for hiring a taxi to and from the museum - unfortunately we had to fit in with the only available / interested taxi driver's schedule - rather than the more normal other way around!

Do you have any Italian? Even a little helps a lot, as the Italians are very positive to those who make an effort, and aren't, understandably, IMHO to those that won't even try a 'prego' or 'grazie'. However the woman at the tourist info was very helpful in English, IIRC.

It's several Km from the town, but Mike's walked - so it can be done. I'd rather not.

The village of Bracciano is a classic Italian hill town, with a (private) castle gelaterias (ice-cream shops) small local museum, etc, so should be a good place to spend an hour or two.

How long? There's about five large aircraft hangars with aircraft from 1910s to the present day. There's even a Spitfire and a Mustang (yawn) should you lack taste and discernment. There are numerous rare to unique and historic types, including some rather classy Italian red racers... I got RSI in the shutter finger and we had about 3 - 4 hours there - not enough for me.

http://www.aeronautica.difesa.it/SitoAM ... dente=1404

http://www.comunedibracciano.it/

I didn't do anything else aeronautic while in Rome last year, but we had a rather good time.

Have a blast!

[TonyA]

The museum is actually only about 2-3km from Vigna di Valle station so is quite walkable - no more than about 30 minutes uphill back to the station. There's an hourly train from Rome Ostiense, the rail journey takes about an hour and costs about 3 Euros each way. From the station I actually walked back down the main road because it looked the easiest route. However it is probably not the best idea as it is busy and the cars are driven by Italians so I suspect it's better/safer to leave the station the other side from the main road and walk down the country lane. Either way you head in the direction of Rome and turn left at the first road you come to. Stay on that road as it winds down the side of the hill and fork left at the end (I think there is a signpost to the museum here). The entrance to the museum is to the right off that road. It's fairly easy to see on, e.g. Google Maps - the current pictures have a band of cloud which starts just North of the station (which is a very indistinct structure) and ends exactly over the base entrance but you can easily see the museum and aircraft by the lake.

I think the hangar count is actually 4 though one has two levels. They're arranged by period: WW1, inter-war, WW2, post-war.

As JDK says, plenty of rare/unique aircraft and they're nearly all in great condition. It's a military base and you need to hand in ID at the gate.

Tony Andrews

[JDK]

Thanks for the corrections Tony, I didn't realise VdV station was that close! It looked very much like a 'wayside halt' when we went past.

Of course you could also hire a car and drive, but please make sure you post the video - we wouldn't want to miss your experience in Roman traffic.

Unfortunately the Museum's official website seems to be down at the moment,, but a search on the web throws up a good deal of decent info.

Cheers,

[bootlegger]

Live on the wild side and drive there. I was there a couple of years ago and drove everywhere. Being Italian myself it didnt take long to understand things like stopping at red lights is just a suggestion, If there is room to fit between lanes and make your own thats OK and you can pass a Police car at 180 kph in a 130 zone and not get pulled over. Also if there is no room to park just park at any angle on the sidewalk. Once you do a whole pile of scooters will park you in.
One thing I saw in Milan was a car parked perpendicular half on and off the sidewalk between other cars. The only way he could have got out of the car was to climb out. Thats fine except there was disabled sticker in the windshield.
The Museum is awsome. Dave

[JimH]

couple photos...


jim

[mustangdriver]

I have got to get there

[RyanShort1]

What's their gift shop like?

Ryan

[Dave Hackett]

Thanks for all the replies so far. I had originally thought about getting a car and then driving down the coast after visiting the airplanes, but have heard a lot of mixed reaction about driving there. For those who have rented cars there, is it that much different than other places in Europe?

Second, Tony thanks for the description on how to walk there from the train. JDK thanks for your description, though it sounds a little more challenging than Tony's.

For those who have been and taken pictures, anything you want to give as advice. Need monopod? Need extra flash? etc....?

Last, since we will be adventuring, do we need to carry lunch and drinks with us, or is there someplace at the museum or near for that?

Thanks again for the great information.

dave

[JDK]

Quick response...

Thanks for all the replies so far. I had originally thought about getting a car and then driving down the coast after visiting the airplanes, but have heard a lot of mixed reaction about driving there. For those who have rented cars there, is it that much different than other places in Europe?

The cities are 'challenging' but driving in the country and smaller towns is, IMHO, fine. Last year we drove around the Marches, and had a great time. It helps a lot if one of you is a good navigator.

Second, Tony thanks for the description on how to walk there from the train. JDK thanks for your description, though it sounds a little more challenging than Tony's.

Does, doesn't it? Looks like your best bet is to either hire a) car or b) walk down from VdV station.

For those who have been and taken pictures, anything you want to give as advice. Need monopod? Need extra flash? etc....?

It's a pretty well lit museum. I have a minipod for my medium camera, which I can brace against a pole or the wall etc. I used it a bit, but it wasn't vital there. Give yourself plenty of time.

Last, since we will be adventuring, do we need to carry lunch and drinks with us, or is there someplace at the museum or near for that?

Mrs JDK says the coffee shop does a mean expresso - but it would, wouldn't it! I think they had sandwiches. There's nothing 'near' - except Bracciano, which does have cafes, restaurants etc if you are in a car.

The gift shop is tiny, has an array of souverneery things plus a selection of Italian-only aviation books including a couple of very out of date but detailed museum catalogues. It closes for lunch. Most of the newsagent stalls in Italy (the booths on the streets) have a remarkably good array of magazines, including aviation. Worth a look. Even if you can't handle Italian, you can really 'just look at the pictures'!

HTH,

Have a great time, we expect a report now!