Sharjah is one of the smaller Emirates, formed in 1971 when the ruler of Abu Dhabi brought the six Trucial States of the Gulf Coast into federation. Before that there had been nominal ties with Britain to prevent piracy and safeguard shipping in the Persian Gulf.
The Emirates were also air refuelling stations on the Imperial Airways London India Australia route. It was in this capacity that Sharjah Airport formed in the 1930s. Built only a mile or so from town the airport was an overnight stop for Hannibal class biplanes, the previous rest point being Suez in Egypt. While a long journey to Australia – at least a week depending on weather conditions – it was still the fastest method available. In any case passengers were treated well, with scheduled stops for lunch and accommodation along the way in colonial rest houses and forts.
These days the airport is hedged in by high rise buildings, the runway a street named after a local Sheikh. The control tower, though not original, remains, as does the rest house. As with many other buildings whose era has passed the airport has been converted to a museum. The fort's original rooms exhibit colonial artefacts and a history of flight from Da Vinci to Apollo.
There are four propeller driven aircraft in the square roofed hanger next to the fort, as well as the front cabin of a British built Comet, the first commercial passenger jet of the post war era.
While I draw M____ explores the hanger. There is no one about. She takes turns to open 50 year old doors, climb into cabins, and squeeze herself into tiny cockpits. She comments that the windows seem absurdly small for the size of the machines. She unlocks a window and waves at me through the opening in the glass.
