| Tucson's
Pima Air and Space Museum is home to over 200 aircraft on display
and has five large hangars totaling 100,000 square feet of exhibit
space. An original WWII barracks contains an extensive model
collection, which shows virtually all U. S. military aircraft
from pre-World War I to the present.
The museum enjoys an international reputation as one of the
best anywhere. For aviation enthusiasts of all ages, this Tucson
Aviation Museum brings history to life.
Tucson
travelers can view more than 250 aircraft, including bombers,
spy planes and helicopters. Because of the pleasant Tucson weather,
many of the attractions were built outdoors. |
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When the SALT Treaty called for
the de-activation of the 18 Titan missile silos near Tucson
Arizona, volunteers at the Pima Air & Space Museum asked
if one could be kept for public tours. After much negotiation,
including additional talks with SALT officials, the Green Valley
complex of the 390th Strategic Missile Wing was opened to the
public.
After watching a video about the history of the Titan and its
deadly nuclear capabilities, you will be taken deep in to the
command center. Here, essential equipment--indeed the center
itself--is mounted on springs to withstand anything but a direct
hit. Then you pass through a couple of 6,000 pound blast doors
and walk along a space-age corridor to the silo itself. The
110 foot tall missile weighed 170 tons when it was fueled and
ready to fly. It's empty and harmless now, but it still looks
deadly, crouched on its launch pad.
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