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Sharjah Air Station became a base for the RAF until Britain left the Arabian Gulf in 1971. It still stands today as part of Al Mahatta Museum. Chris Whiteoak / The National
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A Handley Page HP42 aircraft at Sharjah Air Station in 1933, just a few months after the first landing. Photo: Dr Sultan Al Qasimi Centre for Gulf Studies - Al Darah
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A windsock flying on top of the Sharjah Air Station control tower during the 1930s. Photo: Wing Commander H G L Allsop Collection © John Allsop / Sharjah Museums Authority
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Sharjah Air Station buildings in the 1930s. Photo: Wing Commander H G L Allsop Collection © John Allsop / Sharjah Museums Authority
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Guards at the air station. Photo: Wing Commander H G L Allsop Collection © John Allsop / Sharjah Museums Authority
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The route between Britain and India, showing the stop at Sharjah. This image is taken from the Sharjah Air Station: The First Landing 90 Years Ago exhibition at Al Mahatta Museum. Courtesy: Sharjah Museums Authority.
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Workers refuel aircraft manually at Sharjah Air Station. Photo: Wing Commander H G L Allsop Collection © John Allsop / Sharjah Museums Authority
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A technical drawing of the Handley Page HP42, from the Sharjah Air Station: The First Landing 90 Years Ago exhibition.Photo: Sharjah Museums Authority
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Manal Ataya, director general of the Sharjah Museums Authority opens the exhibition at Al Mahatta Museum. Photo: Sharjah Museums Authority
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The exhibition examines the significance of the first flight and the development of Sharjah as an air station. Photo: Sharjah Museums Authority
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Sharjah Air Station became a base for the RAF until Britain left the Arabian Gulf in 1971. It still stands today as part of Al Mahatta Museum. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RSZDMXS6FAJHXFHMBVYBREU5YA.jpg?smart=true&auth=2b1c4e3d28262d8aee2095c8e274da76bd6482ca507c441b31de7d1b0361fccd&width=400&height=225)
A Handley Page HP42 aircraft at Sharjah Air Station in 1933, just a few months after the first landing. Photo: Dr Sultan Al Qasimi Centre for Gulf Studies - Al Darah
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/7KUGMXC6JFHTRGMRO2P42TMMOA.jpg?smart=true&auth=a2d11df62407f60c5fc30cba7224b8589e73c59ce2821702965aa0b74a3d70f2&width=400&height=225)
A windsock flying on top of the Sharjah Air Station control tower during the 1930s. Photo: Wing Commander H G L Allsop Collection © John Allsop / Sharjah Museums Authority
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Sharjah Air Station buildings in the 1930s. Photo: Wing Commander H G L Allsop Collection © John Allsop / Sharjah Museums Authority
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Guards at the air station. Photo: Wing Commander H G L Allsop Collection © John Allsop / Sharjah Museums Authority
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/27D3UPADBBGZ7MA5QTRXPIF63Q.jpeg?smart=true&auth=31c948626daa1260a32f93fdbcd842bd07447f0f9066d431328910aa969f8310&width=400&height=225)
The route between Britain and India, showing the stop at Sharjah. This image is taken from the Sharjah Air Station: The First Landing 90 Years Ago exhibition at Al Mahatta Museum. Courtesy: Sharjah Museums Authority.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QXIAPR7AQRABBEJAHKCOXKI6TQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=676604c54b4e3140ea5d23ec865089abdad22a6a82eb34655e893e66c50d0a48&width=400&height=225)
Workers refuel aircraft manually at Sharjah Air Station. Photo: Wing Commander H G L Allsop Collection © John Allsop / Sharjah Museums Authority
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XH2FBU6ZHRAAHNHGAHKZ7UYF4Y.jpeg?smart=true&auth=895c32397b7637049e17ad4bb71e58c5e28c6ad659237b28959ebfcb0a65e90a&width=400&height=225)
A technical drawing of the Handley Page HP42, from the Sharjah Air Station: The First Landing 90 Years Ago exhibition.Photo: Sharjah Museums Authority
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FLY77GHP3RHYLG4G7HYEDVEDRM.jpg?smart=true&auth=592a0205d522239307ef869f25ab9e1c83f5e842cfe954e80ffc069a352dfdf9&width=400&height=225)
Manal Ataya, director general of the Sharjah Museums Authority opens the exhibition at Al Mahatta Museum. Photo: Sharjah Museums Authority
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The exhibition examines the significance of the first flight and the development of Sharjah as an air station. Photo: Sharjah Museums Authority
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Sharjah Air Station became a base for the RAF until Britain left the Arabian Gulf in 1971. It still stands today as part of Al Mahatta Museum. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The day the first aircraft landed in Sharjah
New exhibition in Sharjah showcases how the emirate joined the age of international aviation ninety years ago this month when the first commercial airplane landed at its new airport
![John Dennehy](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F6672bef4-f371-4546-90ba-13ad5ded9082.png?smart=true&auth=f1d711e1371a4276112f01656e091484625201f90342530a0b42086db97abdf2&width=70&height=70)
John Dennehy
09 October, 2022
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