March 5th -, 2013 – Tucson, Az

March 5^th -, 2013 –  Tucson, Az                                                   Weather – lo 54/hi 78 overcast

Total Kilometers this trip -  11679.4                                                Km travelled this day – 0

We got up early this morning to head down to the Pima Air Museum.

We decided to tour both areas:

·         AMRG – this area is in two parts: (done with bus tour)

o   the “boneyard” where they are dismantling  airplanes, either for scrap or for part sale.

 707's on right

 rows of B52's

 more B52's

 communications 747 going to scrap

o   Another area where the airplanes are kept in a semi operational condition with shrink wrap type on windshields, engine and door covers etc.

 engines kept in sterile, vacuumed containers

 helicopters

 fighter jets

 helicopters

 various jets

 more jets, DC10 in background

·         Museum – 300 airplanes on display – non are kept in operational condition.  Many airplanes are outdoors, but there are some rather large buildings that house some as well.  There were all sorts, here are some that I like.

 Bumblebee

 BD5 - jet

McCullogh Helicopter

 McCullogh gyrocopter

 Beech Bonanza

 C47

 Beechcraft

 Cessna mixmaster

 P51

 C46

 Painting in Space Museum

 

While in the space museum, we went for a trip to the moon.

Vadie pointing to the earth

Bill holding up the earth

We did not know what to expect, but it is awesome, a must see for the aviation enthusiast.  We took 6 hours for the tour, poor Jake left alone in the bus – he was pretty good though.

Special people today – Two people, Alex and Bill, who were my former bosses.  Although we have had our differences, I am a hard case LOL, it was a pleasure to work with both of them.  They have both retired, and I know that they are both enjoying themselves immensely.  Pretty soon, I will join the crowd.