Pima Air & Space Museum 05/10/07

[bilwor]

I was at the Pima Air & Space Museum today. You cannot go in the new hangar but there is viewing thru a patially open wall. The ribbon cutting and opening of the new hangar will be June 6, 2007. The aircraft presently in the hangar are the Martin PBM Mariner (only surviving example), Lockheed SR-71A Blackbird, North American YF-107A (1 of 2 left, 3 produced), Lockheed S-3B Viking, Douglas B-18B Bolo, Helton Lark 95, Pereira Osprey II and Fairchild Republic A-10A Thunderbolt/Warthog.

In the Restoration hangar the Curtiss O52 Owl (the cockpit, instrument panel and radio compartment are about 60-75% complete, my estimate), Bristol Bolingbroke (being painted in North African desert colors), Waco S ZKS-6 NC16523 restoration comple.

In the yard Dassault-Breuet/Donier A Alpha Jet (newly painted), Bell OH-58A Kiowa (arrived at the museum today) and the B-36J City of Fort Worth wings and front fuselage, the rear fuselage recently primed.

[APG85]

Thats a great museum with a neat collection. The more hangars they get, the better...

[Michel C-GNCJ]

Yeah ! I can't agree more. Everytime I go in Arizona, I make a point at stopping there for a refresher...

Love the place ! And, good pictures bilwor...

[RickH]

I think I'd like to go by there and take that old nasty Quiet Star off of their hands !

[Pat Carry]

Nice to see several more planes going under shelter.

[Rhinelander]

I was wondering were that B36 went.

I remember a long time ago, that aircraft was located at what was the old DFW airport (just south of the current one)

The airport was abandoned and was really neat with a race track for small british cars on the north side. The B36 was sitting out on the south side with some other aircraft. The B36 was left open with the stairs to it. You could go up into the cabin area and wonder around.

I was probably around 6 or so, the plane was massive and had all these different areas in the front section. It was pretty dark and spooky but realy amazing. I think you could even go into the tube and the aft section. But mom did not allow that.

That was the mid 70s. Shortyly after they had to weld it shut due to vandels.

[Connery]

I was wondering were that B36 went.

I remember a long time ago, that aircraft was located at what was the old DFW airport (just south of the current one)

The airport was abandoned and was really neat with a race track for small british cars on the north side. The B36 was sitting out on the south side with some other aircraft. The B36 was left open with the stairs to it. You could go up into the cabin area and wonder around.

I was probably around 6 or so, the plane was massive and had all these different areas in the front section. It was pretty dark and spooky but realy amazing. I think you could even go into the tube and the aft section. But mom did not allow that.

That was the mid 70s. Shortyly after they had to weld it shut due to vandels.

That airport was called Greater Southwest Airport sometimes refered to as Amon Carter Field. Here is what she looked like in 1972. My great grandfather was a forman at Convair on the B-36 project and also assisted at one point in getting the B-36 ready for the short flight to Meacham Field that the Air Force wouldn't let happen.

[Canso42]

As a flying boat buff I'm really glad to see the PBM looking good and protected. It was pretty rough looking when they started.

Floats up (oops sorry, PBM's didn't do that)
Canso42

[Rhinelander]

Thanks for the pic, brings back memories.


I do remember some guys out there working on the B36. Being only 6 or so I figured every airport must have had one of these giant planes. I wish we had a camera along for those visits.

[Canso42]

More fantastic pix. What a group!
Okay BilWor; the big long green sausage- aft half of City of FW? The one that's really got me stumped though....what is the primer green high wing with the three blade prop and F4F-looking landing gear???

Canso42

[bilwor]

The high wing green primed aircraft is a Curtiss O-52 “Owl” (14279)(USAAC 40-2746).

Go to USAF Museum site for a photo and discription of their example, You can click on the pic and make it larger.
http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=346

[Michel C-GNCJ]

How interesting !

I was wondering the same thing... It never ceases to impress me everytime I stumble on a new type of aircraft I never saw before... So many types !!!

I learn something everytime I come on this forum !