canberraman 1,310 Posted February 19 Share Posted February 19 Entrance to the impressive Pima Air and Space Museum, located just off Davis-Monthan AFB, Tucson Az, and one of the world’s great aviation museums containing well over 220 exhibits. In this photo essay I will highlight the SAC ‘heavies’ that were on display during my two visits in 2012 and 2014. Safely preserved inside the Spirit of Freedom Hangar is Lockheed SR-71A 61-7951 once of the 9th SRW Two views of EB-47E Stratojet 53-2135 in the markings of the 316th BW. No less than three B-52 Stratofortresses are on display including B-52D 55-0067 ‘Lone Star Lady’ formerly assigned to the 7th BW. B-52G 58-0183 ex 2 BW Two views of NB-52A 52-0003 ‘The High and Mighty One’ , once used for X-15 test launches, and the oldest B-52 in existence. Three views of the colossal B-36J Peacemaker 52-2827 ‘City of Fort Worth’ , the largest aircraft on display at Pima. The air to ground shot was taken by me from a Cessna 172 hired to overfly AMARG and Pima. Recently refurbished Boeing KB-50J 49-0372 The impressive Mach 2 Convair B-58A Hustler 61-2080 EC-135J 63-8057 airborne command post, latterly assigned to the 9th ACCS at Hickam AFB Hawaii. C-97G civil reg HB-ILY (ex 52-2626) and KC-97G Stratotanker 53-1051 Three more views of Pima from above that give a sense of the size and scale of this magnificent collection. Hope these have been of interest. Thanks for looking. C&C always welcome. Mark 26 5 Link to post Share on other sites
Pete in Lincs 15,231 Posted February 19 Share Posted February 19 Aluminium overdose! Good to know that someone out there is making the effort to save these historic pieces. 5 Link to post Share on other sites
TheyJammedKenny! 1,519 Posted February 19 Share Posted February 19 It's amazing, isn't it? From the air it looks like someone's model collection. Thanks for sharing. 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Team Aer Lingus 552 Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 Fabulous pics great shots from the air thanks for sharing Eamonn 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Whitewolf 164 Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 Many thanks for these! I imagine the majority of the exhibits were assigned to the boneyard at some point. The B52s look a bit the worse for wear! 1 Link to post Share on other sites
spitfire 1,631 Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 Looks big enough to outnumber some countries air forces, thank for posting them. Cheers Dennis 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Alpha Delta 210 5,007 Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 What an awesome selection Mark, thanks for sharing. I love the B-36 and the B-58. Pima is most definitely on my bucket list! 1 Link to post Share on other sites
canberraman 1,310 Posted Monday at 10:55 AM Author Share Posted Monday at 10:55 AM Leigh and all, Many thanks for the positive comments and likes. Pima should most definitely be on the bucket list of any military aircraft enthusiast. The added bonus is that it is right next door to AMARG at Davis Monthan AFB, and from Pima you can get pre booked coach trips round the boneyard. I would also recommend Double Eagle aviation at Tucson IAP for the opportunity to do overflights of the facilities in their Cessna 172. In response to Whitewolf's comments about the tatty condition of the Buffs, I'm pretty sure both the B52D and B52G have subsequently received a repaint and a refurbishment which all the exhibits get periodically due to the effects of the bleaching sun and high summer temperatures, That's another point while I think about it. Best to visit DM and Pima in the Spring and Autumn, the Arizona heat in Summer is unbearable and also raises the risk of snakebites! Mark 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Britman 1,893 Posted Monday at 05:32 PM Share Posted Monday at 05:32 PM Suprising how small the B47 is compared to the C135/707. Keith 1 Link to post Share on other sites
canberraman 1,310 Posted Monday at 05:40 PM Author Share Posted Monday at 05:40 PM 3 minutes ago, Britman said: Suprising how small the B47 is compared to the C135/707. Keith You're right Keith. The B-47 is 107ft in length, the C-135 136ft, nearly a third longer again. Strange how aircraft size is perceived. I remember getting the Hasegawa 1/72 B-47 as a kid and thinking it was gigantic. That was until some years later I obtained a B-52! Mark 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Swamp Donkey 224 Posted Monday at 08:29 PM Share Posted Monday at 08:29 PM Super shots from a great collection. Will check my shots from Sept 19 to see if the B52’s had a lick of paint. Thanks for posting SD 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Swamp Donkey 224 Posted Monday at 10:33 PM Share Posted Monday at 10:33 PM Quick update 58-0183 looks a little more weather beaten than above 55-0067 has had a paint job and looks smart 52-0003 I assume this is the machine now in maintenance area, down to bare metal will attempt to post photos (tomorrow) if I can remember how to do it SD 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Swamp Donkey 224 Posted Monday at 11:05 PM Share Posted Monday at 11:05 PM Here’s 52-0003 as she was in September 2019 (by some miracle and the very helpful tutorial in FAQ”s I managed to post this first time, will have ago at the other 2 tomorrow) SD 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Britman 1,893 Posted Tuesday at 06:47 AM Share Posted Tuesday at 06:47 AM 12 hours ago, canberraman said: You're right Keith. The B-47 is 107ft in length, the C-135 136ft, nearly a third longer again. Strange how aircraft size is perceived. I remember getting the Hasegawa 1/72 B-47 as a kid and thinking it was gigantic. That was until some years later I obtained a B-52! Mark I remember the same with the kits and should have remembered having built the original Monogram B52 and the Airfix E3 Sentry. My dad built the B47 when it came out and that was really impressive. Keith 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Swamp Donkey 224 Posted Tuesday at 08:40 AM Share Posted Tuesday at 08:40 AM And here’s 55-0067 is her fresh paint job As an aside, Pima now has an ANA B787, Cathay B777 and China Southern B737 in the collection! SD 2 Link to post Share on other sites
canberraman 1,310 Posted Tuesday at 02:17 PM Author Share Posted Tuesday at 02:17 PM 5 hours ago, Swamp Donkey said: And here’s 55-0067 is her fresh paint job As an aside, Pima now has an ANA B787, Cathay B777 and China Southern B737 in the collection! SD Hey SD, thanks for the update, that B52D certainly does look a but fresher than when I saw her last in 2014 Mark 2 Link to post Share on other sites
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