Wed Mar 13-Pima and Space Museum, Tucson

Wed Mar 13th - Pima Air and Space Museum, Tucson

Tiny little plane.. but it flew.

An old ' US Thunderbirds' plane

Nuclear Bomb - hmmmm!

Plaque for Nuclear Bomb

Took a trip to the Pima Air and Space Museum and took the optional visit to the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, where they have a 'bone yard'.  According to the website "Pima is one of the largest air and space museums in the world, and the largest non-government funded aviation museum" There are "more than 300 aircraft and spacecraft including many of the most historically significant and technically advanced craft ever produced, both from the United States and throughout the world"  We did not visit the hangar where the 'space' exhibits were housed as we had recently visited the Houston (Johnson) Space center and didn't feel this would add much to our experience.  The Davis-Monthan Air Force Base visit involved boarding a large bus for the trip from the museum over to the base . According the the Air force base website The  AMARG  was set up as follows :   "Immediately after World War II, the Army's San Antonio Air Technical Service Command established a storage facility for B-29 and C-47 aircraft at Davis-Monthan AFB. Today, this facility is the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (309 AMARG), which has grown to include more than 4,400 aircraft and 13 aerospace vehicles from the Air Force, Navy-Marine Corps, Army, Coast Guard, and several federal agencies including NASA"  

All lined up at the 'boneyard'

Apparently 25% of the planes will never fly again and are used for parts to keep others flying. Many countries store planes here in the dessert as the humidity is so low (1-5% year round) and this helps preserve the planes. They spray the cockpits and noses of the planes with latex (you can see it on the photos). Most of the planes stored can be readied for flight within 48 hours.  
We had a great day and after dinner a couple (Jim and Kathleen) from the resort (from St. Thomas, Ont) came and joined us for some cheese and wine. Had a fun evening.

Janice's Favourite plane, used to transport parts for spacecraft.. and launching equipment, which are too big for regular aircraft to carry. (the one in front shows how big the plane is)

More lined up at the Boneyard