Museum Deelen

About the museum

The Museum Deelen presents its collection on the history of the neighboring Deelen air base north of Arnhem. The site was built for the German occupying power by the Dutch consortium CONBA. During World War II it became an important Luftwaffe base, and the massive Diogenes bunker complex served as the command center of the German night fighter force. Today the grounds are among the largest monument complexes in the Netherlands, and the museum runs guided tours of the “Kop van Deelen” together with the municipality of Ede.

The focus is the air war from 1940 to 1945. On show are a rare Me 262 jet fighter, a FuSE 62 radar set, parts of a Fieseler Fi 103 (“V1”), finds from more than 17 aircraft recoveries, and personal stories of German and Allied crews. Other themes include help for shot-down Allied pilots, Major Druce and the SAS in the liberation of the Veluwe, and the gun “Emil” from the Battle of Arnhem. The postwar period also has its place: after 1945 the Canadians left more than 37,000 vehicles on the “Demob Dump Deelen”, and a growing exhibition is devoted to the Royal Netherlands Air Force at Deelen.

In addition, the museum tells regional history around Schaarsbergen, for example about the Vrijland monastery. The collection is supplemented by a specialist library with over 1,000 books, which is open to researchers by arrangement. The museum is run entirely by volunteers.

Highlights

• Rarely shown Messerschmitt Me 262, the first operational jet fighter
• Exhibition on the building and use of the Deelen air base and the Diogenes bunker complex
• Finds and stories from more than 17 aircraft recoveries
• “Demob Dump Deelen”: Canadian vehicles left behind after 1945
• Museum bar with terrace and specialist library

Permanent exhibitions

• Bau des Fliegerhorsts Deelen (CONBA) – Extensive photo exhibition on the construction of the air base by the Dutch consortium CONBA, today one of the country's largest monument complexes.
• Messerschmitt Me 262 – A very rare example of the first operational German jet fighter of World War II.
• Demob Dump Deelen – After 1945 the Canadians left more than 37,000 vehicles in Deelen, which were used for reconstruction and in Indonesia.

Admission & discounts

Free for holders of the Veteranenpas (veterans' pass) and for donors, during regular opening hours. The price table does not include a museum annual pass.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The exhibition is on one level; doors are at least 85 cm wide and thresholds are no higher than 2 cm; a folding wheelchair is available. Many objects can be touched; the labels are not suitable for visually impaired visitors. Pets are not allowed, except registered assistance dogs.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is at Delenseweg 20, next to the Deelen air base, and has its own parking lot, from which the tours of the grounds also start.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check

Bar with terrace (drinks and snacks); museum shop with souvenirs, literature on World War II and military clothing. Large backpacks and umbrellas are kept in the cloakroom.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit