Boneyard: Titan Missile Museum, Pima Air & Space Museum

The Boneyard, part of the guided tour that includes the Titan Missile Museum and Pima Air & Space Museum, offers a unique opportunity to explore the world’s largest aircraft storage facility. Visitors can marvel at the rows of retired planes while learning about their histories and preservation. This experience complements the insights from the Titan Missile Museum’s Cold War narrative and the Pima Air & Space Museum’s extensive collection of aviation advancements. Uncover the stories hidden within this vast aerial graveyard as you delve deeper into the tour.

Key Points

• The Boneyard is the world’s largest aircraft storage facility, housing over 4,400 aircraft, including retired passenger jets and military fighters.
• The Titan Missile Museum focuses on the Titan II missile service from 1963 to 1987, offering visitors the opportunity to explore the underground control complex.
• The Pima Air & Space Museum houses a collection of over 400 historic aircraft, showcasing the technological advancements in aviation history.
• The tour provides a comprehensive experience, visiting the Titan Missile Museum, Pima Air & Space Museum, and the Boneyard facility.
• Participants should be aware of the physical demands associated with the tour, as it involves exploring historic aircraft and the storage facility.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Tour Overview

The guided tour offers visitors an opportunity to explore the Titan Missile Museum, Pima Air & Space Museum, and the Boneyard facility over the course of 5.5 hours.

The guided tour offers visitors an opportunity to explore the Titan Missile Museum, Pima Air & Space Museum, and the Boneyard facility over the course of 5.5 hours.

The group size is limited to 13 participants, and the tour is conducted in English. The tour starts at Park Place Mall, with the van arriving before 9 AM.

Cancellations up to 24 hours in advance qualify for a full refund. The tour costs $150 per person.

Participants should wear comfortable closed-toe shoes and bring a camera, as the tour includes access to historic aircraft and a view of the world’s largest aircraft storage facility.

Titan Missile Museum

After arriving at the Titan Missile Museum, visitors embark on a guided tour that lasts approximately 1.5 hours.

They’ll learn about the Titan II missile, which was in service from 1963 to 1987. Participants can even climb down into the missile’s underbelly and see the largest nuclear warhead ever deployed.

The tour provides a glimpse into Cold War history and the development of nuclear weapons. With limited group sizes, the experience offers an intimate look at this important chapter in American military history.

Exploring the Titan II Missile

As visitors step into the Titan Missile Museum, they’re immediately struck by the sheer size and power of the Titan II missile, a relic from the height of the Cold War.

During the guided tour, they’ll learn that this intercontinental ballistic missile was capable of delivering a 9-megaton nuclear warhead, the largest ever deployed.

Visitors can even climb down into the missile’s underground control complex, a claustrophobic space where crew members would have lived and worked.

The tour provides a sobering glimpse into the tense nuclear standoff that defined the latter half of the 20th century.

Pima Air & Space Museum

Departing the Titan Missile Museum, the tour moves on to the Pima Air & Space Museum.

Here, visitors explore six hangars housing over 400 historic aircraft. From the Wright Brothers’ pioneering designs to modern jets like the Dreamliner, the museum offers a comprehensive aviation experience.

The Pima Air & Space Museum houses over 400 historic aircraft spanning pioneering designs to modern jets, offering a comprehensive aviation experience.

Participants can wander through the exhibits at their own pace, marveling at the technological advancements that have shaped air travel.

With such an extensive collection, the Pima Air & Space Museum provides a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of aviation, complementing the insights gained at the Titan Missile Museum.

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A Closer Look at the Aircraft Collection

The Pima Air & Space Museum‘s aircraft collection spans over 400 historic airframes, offering visitors an unparalleled look into aviation’s evolution.

From the Wright Brothers’ pioneering designs to the cutting-edge Dreamliner, the museum’s hangars house a diverse fleet. Guests can explore iconic fighters like the P-51 Mustang, heavy bombers such as the B-17 Flying Fortress, and commercial planes including the DC-3.

Interactive exhibits and guided tours provide in-depth information, allowing visitors to appreciate the ingenuity and technological advancements that have shaped aviation over the decades.

The museum’s extensive collection is a testament to the rich history of flight.

The Boneyard

The Boneyard is the world’s largest aircraft storage facility, sprawling across a 2,400-acre site near Tucson, Arizona.

Visitors can view over 4,400 aircraft housed at this massive facility, ranging from retired passenger jets to military fighters. The Boneyard serves as a repository for aircraft awaiting reuse, refurbishment, or eventual scrapping.

It’s an incredible sight, with row upon row of grounded planes in various states of preservation.

While visitors can’t tour the Boneyard up close, they can catch a glimpse of this impressive aviation graveyard during the museum tour’s dedicated viewing stop.

Highlights of the Tour

As visitors embark on this immersive tour, they’re first treated to a guided exploration of the Titan Missile Museum. Here, they learn about the Titan II missile, which was in service from 1963 to 1987.

Visitors embark on a guided exploration of the Titan Missile Museum, learning about the Titan II missile in service from 1963 to 1987.

They’ll even get the chance to climb down into the missile’s underbelly and see the largest nuclear warhead ever deployed.

Next, the tour takes them to the Pima Air & Space Museum, where they can explore six hangars housing over 400 aircraft, from the Wright Brothers’ era to the modern Dreamliner.

Finally, the tour offers a glimpse of the Boneyard, the world’s largest aircraft storage facility.

Key Information for Participants

Participants on this tour should be aware of a few important considerations.

The tour isn’t suitable for children under 10, those with claustrophobia, or wheelchair users. Comfortable, closed-toe shoes are a must, while open-toed footwear is prohibited.

Participants should also pack a camera to capture the highlights. The tour explores historic aircraft and a massive aircraft storage facility, so participants need to be prepared for the physical demands.

With these key details in mind, visitors can ensure they’ve a safe and enjoyable experience exploring the Titan Missile Museum, Pima Air & Space Museum, and the Boneyard.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Has the Boneyard Been in Operation?

The Boneyard, formally known as the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group, has been in operation since 1946. It’s the largest aircraft storage facility in the world, housing over 4,400 aircraft on its 2,400-acre site.

Can Visitors Take Pictures Inside the Titan Missile Museum?

Visitors are allowed to take photos inside the Titan Missile Museum, but they must follow the guidelines provided by the tour guides. Photography is typically permitted in most areas of the museum, but certain restricted zones may have limitations.

Is There Food or Refreshment Available During the Tour?

The tour itinerary doesn’t mention any food or refreshment being provided. Visitors should plan to bring their own snacks and drinks if they’ll need them during the 5.5-hour duration of the guided tour.

What Is the Dress Code for the Tour?

The tour has a casual dress code. Participants are recommended to wear comfortable closed-toe shoes. Open-toed shoes are prohibited. The tour involves climbing stairs and walking, so dressing appropriately for the activity is advised.

Are There Any Age Restrictions for the Pima Air & Space Museum?

The tour has a minimum age requirement of 10 years. Children under 10 are not permitted on the Pima Air & Space Museum portion of the tour due to the sensitive nature of the content.

The Sum Up

The Boneyard tour offers a unique opportunity to explore the world’s largest aircraft storage facility. Combined with the insights from the Titan Missile Museum and Pima Air & Space Museum, it provides a comprehensive understanding of aviation history and the strategic role of aerospace technology. Visitors can marvel at the impressive collection of retired planes and learn about their preservation and the broader context of their use.

You can check availability for your dates here: