Pima Air and Space Museum

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SpaceCanada
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Pima Air and Space Museum

Post by SpaceCanada »

Has anyone here been to the Pima Air and Space Museum? My husband and I are hoping to go there in February to see both the museum and the airplane boneyard. Reviews? Thoughts? Things not to be missed?

http://www.pimaair.org

Or any photo wish list requests, if I can get them?

I am excited that Canadian are allowed on the tour. Take a hint, MSFC. :wink:
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Re: Pima Air and Space Museum

Post by p51 »

I was there a LONG time ago but they have some very impressive stuff at the museum.
As for the AMARC tour, they might only give that to US residents, what with all the modern security issues and all.
Time was, there were a few scrap places you could ask about and buy pieces from scrapped planes. A pal of mine bought an entire SAC emblem off a B-52 and trucked it home (he didn't live too far away at the time) but that too was a long time ago and many things might have changed since then.
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Re: Pima Air and Space Museum

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The website says the tour is open to all nationalities, though you must present a current passport for ID. Sounds similar to the tour rules for KSC/CCAFB. My parents will call to confirm before we go.
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Re: Pima Air and Space Museum

Post by Hotdog »

I haven't been, but I've heard it is awesome. I plan on going in June. One thing I would not miss is their sister facility, the Titan Missile Museum. It's about 30 minutes away.
http://www.titanmissilemuseum.org/
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Re: Pima Air and Space Museum

Post by majtom7 »

Hotdog wrote:I haven't been, but I've heard it is awesome. I plan on going in June. One thing I would not miss is their sister facility, the Titan Missile Museum. It's about 30 minutes away.
http://www.titanmissilemuseum.org/
If I remember correctly from the book Command and Control by Eric Schlosser, that is a full silo with missile.
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Re: Pima Air and Space Museum

Post by SpaceCanada »

It is on our list too, along with Biosphere 2. Geek mode = on
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Re: Pima Air and Space Museum

Post by Hotdog »

YES full silo with missile. Can't beat that!!!
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Re: Pima Air and Space Museum

Post by majtom7 »

Command and Control about a real life Titan missile explosion will be on American Experience on PBS on 1/10. My guess is that they filmed at least some part of it at the museum.
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Re: Pima Air and Space Museum

Post by SpaceCanada »

Wow! That is about all I can say about our visit to Pima and the Boneyard. The day was incredible. I just wish we could have spent more time there and listened to more stories from the docents. The Boneyard tour was narrated and slow enough to talk about the various planes and the different activities that happen at the site - not all the planes are retired or used solely for parts.

The museum's 'space' section was weak and skippable if you have been to USSRC or any small space centre. They did, however, have a unique materials science exhibit I found interesting.

Biosphere 2 was also amazing and had their own space exhibit I enjoyed. Sign me up to be a space farmer!

I would recommend both locations to anyone here as must-do attractions if you are ever in Tuscon or Phoenix.
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