Warbird Information Exchange

My boy and I are going to be sojourning through Tuscon next month and stopping at the Pima museum. I see that they are now offering daily tours of the DM boneyard too.

The last time I went to Pima (like....1984 or so) they only gave tours on every 3rd Tuesday with reservations three months in advance or something like that. It appears that policy has changed somewhat in 30 years.

Can anyone shed light on if the tour is worth it and the specifics about when, how long, etc?

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It is a narrated bus tour that departs the museum and drives through the storage yard. It takes about 90 minutes including travel time back and forth. You are not allowed off the bus. Photography is allowed but the bus windows are tinted and usually dirty so if photos are important to you be prepared for reduced quality. The tour is certainly impressive if you've never seen it and it is worth it if you don't expect to have another chance anytime soon. At the moment they are being run four times a day; 10:00, 11:30, 1:30, and 3:00. They fill up quickly so you should get to the museum early and reserve a spot if you decide you want to do the tour.

James

Gee, that's what I call a detailed answer!

The only thing that you might add, if you can, is whether or not there is an opportunity to clean some windows on the tour bus - and do you have to bring your own Windex and paper towels?

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Well, in theory they get cleaned every morning, it just doesn't do all that much good. Realistically, you can take perfectly good photos through the windows but we do get complaints from people who think every photo they take should be publication quality.

Two things I forgot to mention; the Air Force doesn't allow people to bring bags on the bus that includes camera bags and backpacks and you need a photo ID.

James

Only if it's less than 3.2 oz

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We were there a couple of Saturdays ago and were told the boneyard tours only run M-F!
cheers - ken

Correct and the tour departs from the Pima Museum not AMARC proper. Photos from the bus are OK if you have Photoshop or some such to tweak them afterwards.

Pay a visit to a camera store and see if you can find a lens shield, usually rubber or soft plastic, that fits against a window to block out reflections and other distractions.

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Don't make me go get my flying monkeys-