Air & Space

More than 300 aircraft are on display at the Pima Air & Space Museum.  Le Roy couldn't believe that the plane he was Crew Chief for in Thailand in the late 1960s was on exhibit as was his squadron patch for Satan's Angels.

We took a tram tour to view outside aircraft that provided a walk down memory lane of aircraft history.



Russian MIG-15



P51D Mustang



F4U-4 "Corsair"



WWII Buzz Bomb"



A-4E Skyhawk (type of plane Senator John McCain flew over North Viet Nam)

My Air Force warrior was excited to find the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base Bone Yard where over 4,000 aircraft are housed.  It is the United States' third-largest Air Force and the only one that makes a profit as it is a tourist attraction.  These planes are capable of being restored to service if necessary.  Some of these planes will fly again, some will be used for parts for planes still flying, and for others this is their final resting place. Tucson is a logical choice for a major storage facility with its low humidity and rainfall, alkaline soil and high altitude of 2,550 feet.




Largest Aircraft Bone Yard in the World

Lots of Tail

We stood on the front line of Cold War history at the Titan Missile Museum, a National Historic Landmark site and once one of America's top secret places.  Only one Titan II site remains for museum purposes to give visitors a rare look at the technology used by the United States to deter nuclear war.

The Titan II Missile is the largest missile ever built by the United States.  During the Cold War, 18 of the 54 Titan II missiles stood alert in underground silos in the Tucson area.  In 1987 the last Titan II site was deactivated.  We were able to visit the underground silo and the massive Titan II missile up close. 

 I had to buy a Fallout Shelter coffee cup as I had flashbacks from elementary school when we were instructed to hide under our desks if we were ever attacked.



Launch Control Center Where Keys and Codes Were Kept to Launch Missile

Titan II Missile




Tipsy Security Ear