Restoration Hangar & Project Status
Restoration Hangar
Tucked away from most visitors in the back of the museum is a hangar surrounded by what appears to be aircraft in disrepair and discarded aircraft support equipment. Upon closer examination the area is teaming with activity, the hangar is filled with aircraft, museum staff and restoration volunteers. At any point in time there will be up to 12 aircraft or pieces of equipment undergoing repair and/or restoration.
Countless hours of hard work by dedicated staff and volunteers goes into each aircraft you see when it is rolled out for display.
The Restoration Department of the Pima Air and Space Museum has a large backlog of aircraft to be restored for the first time at the museum, aircraft being refurbished after several years on display and various pieces of equipment used in support of aircraft to be prepared for exhibit. The local facility has also recently restored aircraft, equipment and vehicles for the Titan Missile Museum in Green Valley south of Tucson.
Project Updates
Listed below are some of the museum's current restoration projects. Click the "read more" links for photos and update information.
Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star
The Lockheed T-33 was the U.S. Air Force's first dedicated jet trainer. It was introduced in the late 1940s and served until the early 1980s. Several foreign air forces have made extensive use of it as well. Last update: 7/29/2010
Bell UH-1 Huey
The Bell UH-1 is perhaps the best-known helicopter in the world. Made famous by its use in Vietnam, versions of the "Huey" remain in both military and civil service today. Last update: 05/19/2010
Bell P-39N Airacobra
The P-39 was an unusual design when it appeared in 1937. Among its many unorthodox design features are the mounting of the engine behind the pilot, the use of an automobile type door for the cockpit, & tricycle landing gear. Last update 07/29/10
Boeing KB-50J Superfortress
The Boeing B-50 began as an upgrade to the highly successful B-29. However, the large number of changes made; new engines, modified wings, and a larger tail being just a few, resulted in a new designation for the aircraft. Last updated 12/08/09.
Douglas A-20G Havoc
Initial design work for the A-20 began in 1936 as a private venture of the Douglas Company to design a light attack and reconnaissance aircraft. Last updated 6/22/08.
Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless
The Dauntless was slow, underpowered and had insufficient defensive armament, by late 1941, the U.S. Navy considered it obsolete, even though it had been in service for only a year. Last updated 05/05/09.
Martin B-26 Marauder
Few aircraft in the history of the U.S. Army Air Force were as controversial as the Martin B-26 Marauder. Last updated 06/04/2010.
McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II
In 1962, the U.S. Air Force selected the F-4 for its own use as both a fighter and a fighter-bomber. Originally designated F-110 by the Air Force the plane became the F-4 under the unified designation scheme. Last updated 06/23/2010.
North American P-51D Mustang
The Pima Air and Space Museum is building a static display P-51D. Last updated 06/03/2010.
