Restoration Hangar & Project Status
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 equipment undergoing repair and 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.
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Convair B-36J PeacemakerWe have the last B-36 ever built. As of 10/20/07, the aircraft is now resting on its own landing gear. Last updated 4/03/08. |
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Douglas A-20G HavocInitial 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 2/01/08. |
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Douglas SBD-5 DauntlessThe 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 4/15/08. |
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Fleet Model 2The Fleet Model 2 is coming into restoration to have fabric replaced. Last updated 4/23/08. |
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Grumman J4F-2 WidgeonThe Widgeon was designed as a smaller, less expensive counterpart to Grumman's G-21 Goose amphibious airliner. First flown in June 1940 the Widgeon entered production in 1941 with over 50 aircraft delivered to civil customers. Last updated 05/08/08. |
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Grumman TF-9J CougarEven before the Panther entered service the Navy and Grumman were examining the possibility of creating a swept-wing version of the aircraft. The Cougar will be the next project for the paint department. Last updated 05/08/08 |
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Hawker F-58 HunterDevelopment of the Hunter began with the Royal Air Force’s search for a replacement for the Meteor in 1947. The first prototype was ready in mid-1951. Completed 4/25/08. |
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Lockheed Model 10 ElectraRestoration Completed March 26, 2008. The Model 10 Electra was Lockheed’s entry into the mid 1930s airliner market. The Model 10 has the distinction of being the first aircraft on which Lockheed’s designer Kelly Johnson worked. Completed 03/27/08. |
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Martin B-26 MarauderFew aircraft in the history of the U.S. Army Air Force were as controversial as the Martin B-26 Marauder. Last updated 05/08/08. |
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North American P-51D MustangThe Pima Air and Space Museum is building a static display P-51D. Last updated 04/29/08. |
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Ruhrstahl SD 1400 Fritz-XThe Fritz-X is a German guided anti-shipping bomb from WW-II in service 1943 – 1945. Last updated 02/21/08. |
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Snow S-2AThe Snow S-2 was one of the leading agricultural “crop duster” aircraft of the late 1950s and 1960s. The S-2 was designed in 1958 and was built in three different models. Last updated 05/08/08 |