This post is part of a series on Brazil looking at aviation in the country to coincide with the 2014 football World Cup held there. The previous posts looked at the special World Cup liveries worn by various airlines in the lead up to the tournament, a general overview of airlines and airports in Brazil, and Spotting at Sao Paulo’s airports. In this post we’ll look at preserved airliners in Brazil.
Back in the day, if you thought of Brazil’s airlines you thought of VARIG, VASP and Cruziero. These carriers dated back a long way, but sadly none of them weathered the financial troubles that would come their way.
But visitors to Brazil can still see a number of preserved aircraft which once belonged to these and other pioneering airlines from the country.
Aviation Museums in Brazil
The main aviation museums in Brazil which have airliners on display include:
Museu Aeroespaciale in Rio de Janeiro – Campo Dos Afonsos
Includes lots of Brazilian Air Force airliner/transports, such as Boeing 737-200, 737-300, four Douglas C-47 variants, de Havilland Dragon Rapide, Lockheed Lodestar, Vickers Viscount 700, Embraer Banderiante, plus a VARIG Lockheed L188 Electra.
TAM Museum in São Carlos
A growing collection of significant historical aircraft created by the founder of TAM Airlines. It has a number of airliners on display, including a Douglas DC-3, Embraer Bandeirante, Fokker F-27, F-100, and Panair do Brasil Lockheed Constellation in immaculate condition.
Other preserved airliners
In addition to the museums, a number of other airliners are preserved around Brazil, including:
Araquara
A private owner bought and preserved a rusting VASP Boeing 737-200 on his land, and is now turning it into a cafe and children’s play area. The aircraft if PP-SFI.
Rio de Janeiro Galeao Air Base
Has a Brazilian Air Force BAe 748 preserved outside.
Sao Jose dos Campos Brazilian Aerospace Memorial
A couple of Embraer prototypes are on display amongst the military aircraft.
Sao Paulo Parque dom Pedro
A classic Douglas DC-3, PT-KUB, is on display in this downtown Sao Paulo park.
Tijucas
By the side of the road in this rural area is a NAMC YS-11 converted into a restaurant. Formerly PP-CTI.
PP-CTI NAMC YS-11. Courtesy of Flickr
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