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.

All photographs and text copyright Arizona Aerospace Foundation. 2009 and may not be used in any way without express written permission.

Project Updates

Listed below are some of the museum's current restoration projects. Click the "read more" links for photos and update information.

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 11/17/09. Read more...

British Aerospace AV-8C Harrier The United States Marine Corps first ordered the Harrier in 1969 with the first deliveries in 1971. The AV-8C designation indicates an upgrade to the original AV-8A. Last updated 09/29/09. Read more...

Convair B-36J Peacemaker We have the last B-36 ever built. As of 10/20/07, the aircraft is now resting on its own landing gear and a restoration plan is being executed. Last updated 10/04/09. Read more...

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. Read more...

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. Read more...

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 11/10/09. Read more...

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-4C under the unified designation scheme. Last updated 10/29/09. Read more...

North American P-51D Mustang The Pima Air and Space Museum is building a static display P-51D. Last updated 11/12/2009. Read more...

Panavia Tornado IDS The Tornado was first flown in 1974. It was developed by a consortium of firms in West Germany, Britain and Italy. A second consortium was formed to develop the engines. It is a multi-role air superiority, fighter bomber. Last updated 11/10/09. Read more...