The Norwegian Armed Forces Aircraft Collection is the largest aviation museum in southern Norway, with around 40 aircraft and helicopters. It sits on the old military airfield at Gardermoen West.
The collection nearly didn't stay here. When Parliament decided in 1992 to move everything to the new aviation museum in Bodø, there was an uproar. Local enthusiasts formed support groups and fought back. After years of debate, Parliament allocated 73 million kroner in 1997 for a proper building at Gardermoen. It opened in May 2000.
The highlights include "Start" - Norway's first aircraft from 1912 - and several rare wartime finds. A Heinkel He 111 that crash-landed in 1940 after combat with British Skuas was recovered from the mountains in 1976. A Junkers Ju 52 that went through the ice on a frozen lake near Narvik was pulled up in 1983.
Every Cold War jet fighter the Norwegian Air Force operated is represented, from F-84 Thunderjets to F-104 Starfighters.
There's an F-16 simulator if you want to try landing a fighter jet. The simulator was tested by actual Norwegian F-16 pilots, so it's reasonably realistic. Minimum age 14, minimum height 140 cm, and you need to book in advance.
If you have a few hours between flights, this is easy to reach. Take shuttle bus S55 from the lower level of the terminal - it runs every 20-30 minutes to Park Inn Hotel West, about 100 metres from the museum. Alternatively, Ruter bus 400 or 420 stops at Lilleplassen, a 5 minute walk away. The buses from the airport leave at 24 and 54 minutes past the hour on weekdays, hourly at 24 past on weekends.
The museum is run largely by volunteers, many of them veterans. Free parking if you're driving.