Have you ever been to the Pima Air & Space Museum and or the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (otherwise known as the Boneyard)?
Last month, I had to travel to Las Vegas from California over a weekend, so the only logical way to do it was to drive, and drive via Tucson. Well, that’s not specifically on the way, but well worth the detour!
I was able to spend a little of Saturday and most of Sunday at the PASM, alas the Boneyard was closed as it only operates at “Federal Working Hours”. I did drive around it, and it’s shocking to see so many airplanes out of doors. I can only imagine the amount of case those airplanes represent!
The PASM is a nice place, with a lot of aircraft there. They also let one use a tripod - a massive win for the photographer. Here is a link to my photos from the museum:
One of the really unique things they do at this museum is place the aircarft on massive stands so that you can walk around underneath them. This was especially impressive on the SR–71.
One of the great stories in this museum is how Louis E. Curdes was the only pilot to shoot down aircraft of all three Axis powers and one of American Air Force as well - and why shooting down an American aircraft won him the Distinguished Flying Cross! Great story.
Was there in 2005 and got to tour Davis Monthan also. If you think it looks bad to see them sitting in the open, don’t look at the ones under the guillotine.
I’m fortunate to live in Sedona AZ. It’s about a 3 - 3 1/2 hour trip down to Pima - I try and get there at least every other month. I knew an older gentleman here in Sedona who worked for 15 years (civilian) at 309 AMARG. He had lots of stories and pictures of stuff that passed thru the boneyard. He said one of the toughest things he ever did was drop a steel guillotine onto the wings of B-52’s, then let them sit de-winged for 2 months to allow Soviet satelittes to verify their disarmament. Always said he hated to see those planes destroyed.
Here is a picture of the boneyard at Kingman AZ in 1946
I have a 1946 copy of Arizona Highways that lists the following prices for surplus aircraft: BT-13 $450,
