Pima Air & Space Museum

Tucson is extremely fortunate to have one of the largest aviation museums in the world, and the largest aviation museum in the United States that isn’t government funded, in the Pima Air & Space Museum. Countless artifacts and over 300 aeronautical vessels are on display at the museum, including some one-of-a-kind items and other rare planes. Among the most distinctive planes on display are the SR-71 Blackbird, B-29 Superfortress, a previous Air Force One used by John F. Kennedy & Lyndon Johnson, and a rare WWII German V-1 “buzz bomb”. Easily the sleekest aviation piece at the museum and possibly ever built is the SR-71 which a phenomenal piece of engineering constructed by Lockheed’s “Skunk Works” division. Used as a reconnaissance plane by the Air Force from 1964 – 1998, this aviation marvel flew over 3,500 mission sorties during its storied career. Over the years this plane set many world records including an absolute altitude sustained flight record of 85,069 ft., an absolute speed record of 2,193.2 mph, and the record for speed over a recognized course (flying from New York to London in 1 hour 54 minutes and 56.4 seconds).

Another unique part of the tour offered at Pima Air & Space Museum is access to the “Boneyard”, or the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG). Located just across the street at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, the Boneyard is a storage facility for over 4,400 aircraft from the Air Force, Navy, Marines, Army, Coast Guard, and other governmental agencies such as NASA. The chief reasons for selecting Davis-Monthan as the site for this storage center were Tucson’s meager rainfall, low humidity, and alkaline soil. These conditions make it possible to store aircraft indefinitely with a minimum of deterioration and corrosion. In addition, the soil (called caliche) is hard, making it possible to park aircraft in the desert without constructing concrete or steel parking ramps.

A visit to the Pima Air & Space Museum is definitely worthwhile for any aviation enthusiast. Dress comfortably and in walking shoes as quite a bit of time can be spent walking around.

Pima Air & Space Museum
6000 E. Valencia Rd.
Tucson, Arizona 85756
520.574.0462

Stephen Woodall

REALTOR, GRI @ Long Realty Company

Stephen has made real estate his full-time career and passion since 2008, primarily specializing in the Foothills & the Northwest Tucson areas of Oro Valley and Marana. He is a multi-million dollar producer, representing both sellers & buyers. Stephen has tremendous experience in new home sales, listing & selling primary residences, listing & selling vacant land, listing & selling luxury homes, investment properties, rentals, and real estate development parcels.