Sharjah marks air station's 90th anniversary with an exhibition at Al Mahatta museum - in pictures

  • 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
    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
  • 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
    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
  • Sharjah Air Station buildings in the 1930s. Photo: Wing Commander H G L Allsop Collection © John Allsop / Sharjah Museums Authority
    Sharjah Air Station buildings in the 1930s. Photo: Wing Commander H G L Allsop Collection © John Allsop / Sharjah Museums Authority
  • Guards at the air station. Photo: Wing Commander H G L Allsop Collection © John Allsop / Sharjah Museums Authority
    Guards at the air station. Photo: Wing Commander H G L Allsop Collection © John Allsop / Sharjah Museums Authority
  • 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.
    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.
  • Workers refuel aircraft manually at Sharjah Air Station. Photo: Wing Commander H G L Allsop Collection © John Allsop / Sharjah Museums Authority
    Workers refuel aircraft manually at Sharjah Air Station. Photo: Wing Commander H G L Allsop Collection © John Allsop / Sharjah Museums Authority
  • A technical drawing of the Handley Page HP42, from the Sharjah Air Station: The First Landing 90 Years Ago exhibition.Photo: Sharjah Museums Authority
    A technical drawing of the Handley Page HP42, from the Sharjah Air Station: The First Landing 90 Years Ago exhibition.Photo: Sharjah Museums Authority
  • Manal Ataya, director general of the Sharjah Museums Authority opens the exhibition at Al Mahatta Museum. Photo: Sharjah Museums Authority
    Manal Ataya, director general of the Sharjah Museums Authority opens the exhibition at Al Mahatta Museum. Photo: Sharjah Museums Authority
  • The exhibition examines the significance of the first flight and the development of Sharjah as an air station. Photo: Sharjah Museums Authority
    The exhibition examines the significance of the first flight and the development of Sharjah as an air station. Photo: Sharjah Museums Authority
  • 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
    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