FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mary E Emich
Director of Marketing, Sales and Visitor Services
Arizona Aerospace Foundation
6000 East Valencia Rd
Tucson, AZ  85756
Phone 520 574-0462
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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PIMA AIR & SPACE MUSEUM ANNOUNCES RADIO-CONTROLLED JETS and LEGO ROBOTICS AS THE SPECIAL FEATURES FOR ITS JULY 27TH “NIGHT WINGS” PROGRAM AND WINNERS OF ITS JUNE COLORING CONTEST

TUCSON—Jul. 12, 2013. The Pima Air & Space Museum announced radio-controlled jets AND Lego Robotics as the special features during its second “Night Wings” summer evening program Sat., Jul. 27th 5 to 9pm. Clay Sherrow, radio-controlled jet enthusiast, will be revving up one of his four planes at 7 and 8pm and displaying 4 of his collection valued at approximately $20,000. “The ‘fire burst’ when the engine starts is fantastic, especially at dusk,” claims Sherrow. The museum’s display area is not conducive for an actual take-off however a radio-controlled flight simulator will be available for everyone to try their hand at controlling a powerful RC jet.

Everyone can also try their hand at the museum’s new Lego Robotics activity too: charting the route and maneuvering a plane, island hopping across the Pacific Ocean. “These robots are amazing!” noted Mina Stafford, Curator of Education at Pima Air & Space Museum, just back from Robotics Camp, “And fun. They are an enthralling addition to our Education and Outreach programs.”

Other kids’ activities include: a coloring/drawing contest, impact craters, sampling space food (ice cream, YUM!), climbing in the cockpit of the Shooting Star high-speed jet trainer (photo op Mom), plane spotting, and prizes too, including a chance to win a free family membership. These activities are in addition to the museum’s fantastic planes contrasted by the setting sun and inside almost four football fields of hangars. So join us, rain or shine! Adults only $10. Kids 12 & under are FREE. For only $4 more you can ride the tram and breeze around the 150 planes on the grounds (departure at 6:30 pm). Great food—burgers, salads, pizza and ice cream—will be available in The Fight Grill.

The Winners of the June Night Wings coloring/free-hand drawing contest are: Melanie Shane, age 4; Kyle Valenzuela, age 8; and Gabi Elles, age 11. Each child wins a Crew/family membership to Pima Air & Space and Titan Missile Museum for one year! Creations attached. The August (and final for the summer) Night Wings will be held on Sat., Aug. 24, 2013.

ABOUT PIMA AIR & SPACE MUSEUM
Be wowed at Pima Air & Space Museum, one of the largest aviation museums in the world and the largest non-government-funded in the U.S. (TripAdvisor ranks it in the Top 10% worldwide for excellent ratings.) Its significant collection, 300 strong from around the globe, covers commercial, military and civil aviation alongside more than 125,000+ artifacts, including a moon rock donated by Tucsonan and Astronaut Frank Borman. Be amazed by many all-time great aircraft: the SR-71 Blackbird (the world’s fastest spy plane); a B-29 Superfortress (the WWII bomber that flew higher, farther and faster plus carried more bombs); the world’s smallest bi-plane; the C-54 (the Berlin Airlift’s star flown by the famous “Candy Bomber” Col. USAF (Ret.) Gail Halvorsen, a Tucson-area winter resident); plus planes used as renowned-contemporary-artists’ canvases, including Brazilian graffiti artist Nunca. Explore five large hangars totaling more than 177,000 indoor square feet—almost four football fields¬—of air/space craft, heroes’ stories and scientific phenomena. Two+ hangars are dedicated to WWII, one each to the European and Pacific theaters. Pima Air & Space maintains its own aircraft restoration center. It also operates exclusive tours of the “Boneyard,” aka the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) on Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, plus offers a docent-led tram tour of its 80 acres (additional fees apply). Pima Air & Space Museum is located at 6000 E. Valencia Rd., just off I-10 exit 267, in Tucson. More information can be found at www.pimaair.org, on Facebook, or by calling 520 574-0462.

Note: The 390th Bombardment Group (Heavy) Memorial Museum is closed for reconstruction until further notice.

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Attachments:
PASMNightWings2013-06-22 19.57.14 = sun setting on Night Wings attendees 2013 (photo by mee)
PASMNightWingsT33LiamLewis = Liam Lewis in the cockpit of the T-33 Shooting Star and getting the thumbs up from Dad (photo by mee)
PASMNightWingsJacobCalebLoos = Jacob & Caleb Loos creating seltzer rockets with community volunteers from Raytheon Missile Systems (photo by mee)

 

Sun setting on Night Wings attendees 2013

Liam Lewis in the cockpit of the T-33 Shooting Star and getting the thumbs up from Dad

Jacob & Caleb Loos creating seltzer rockets with community volunteers from Raytheon Missile Systems

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mary E Emich
Director of Marketing, Sales and Visitor Services
Arizona Aerospace Foundation
6000 East Valencia Rd
Tucson, AZ  85756
Phone 520 574-0462
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Download PDF

WORLD-RECORD SEEKING YOUTH AVIATOR CHOSE FLIGHT PATH TO VISIT PIMA AIR & SPACE MUSEUM!

Tucson, AZ–Jul. 12, 2013 19-year-old Australian Aviator Ryan Campbell is choosing his world-record-breaking solo-circumnavigation route with a stopover at Pima Air & Space Museum (on Jul. 15, 2013)! Campbell, who is seeking to break the Guinness World Record for the youngest aviator to fly solo around the world–and to be the first teenager–departed Australia on June 30, 2013, and will arrive at Pima Air & Space Museum on Jul. 15, 2013. According to his spokesman/mother Joanne, “He [Ryan] has chosen Tucson as one of his stops across the USA so that he might get to tour your museum.” Arizona Aerospace Foundation Executive Director Yvonne Morris, who oversees the Pima Air & Space Museum, states, “We are truly complimented that Ryan planned his route to visit us. We frequently hear that Pima Air & Space Museum is the impetus for Tucson-destination vacation plans from all across the globe. We wish Ryan the best of luck in obtaining his goal.” On average, twenty-two percent of visitors to the Pima Air & Space Museum are from foreign countries (Source: Visitor Exit Surveys 2009-present).

Campbell did his homework. As recommended, to maximize his day and assure his seat on the tours offered, Campbell plans to arrive at Pima Air & Space Museum as it opens at 9am on Monday morning. Campbell also wishes to tour the “Boneyard” aka the 309 Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group, abbreviated as AMARG, which can only be toured via the Pima Air & Space Museum Monday through Friday. The 309th AMARG Commander Col. Robert Lepper has asked to meet Campbell while he is on the Davis-Monthan base.

Campbell’s amazing journey can be tracked on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/TeenWorldFlight), Twitter (#‎TeenWorldFlight), his blog (http://www.teenworldflight.com/blog.html) and webpage (http://www.teenworldflight.com/my-achievements.html).

ABOUT PIMA AIR & SPACE MUSEUM
Be wowed like Ryan Campbell at Pima Air & Space Museum, one of the largest aviation museums in the world and the largest non-government-funded in the U.S. (TripAdvisor ranks it in the Top 10% worldwide for excellent ratings.) Its significant collection, 300 strong from around the globe, covers commercial, military and civil aviation alongside more than 125,000+ artifacts, including a moon rock donated by Tucsonan and Astronaut Frank Borman. Be amazed by many all-time great aircraft: the SR-71 Blackbird (the world’s fastest spy plane); a B-29 Superfortress (the WWII bomber that flew higher, farther and faster plus carried more bombs); the world’s smallest bi-plane; the C-54 (the Berlin Airlift’s star flown by the famous “Candy Bomber” Col. USAF (Ret.) Gail Halvorsen, a Tucson-area winter resident); plus planes used as renowned-contemporary-artists’ canvases, including Brazilian graffiti artist Nunca. Explore five large hangars totaling more than 177,000 indoor square feet—almost four football fields¬—of air/space craft, heroes’ stories and scientific phenomena. Two+ hangars are dedicated to WWII, one each to the European and Pacific theaters. Pima Air & Space maintains its own aircraft restoration center. It also operates exclusive tours of the “Boneyard,” aka the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) on Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, plus offers a docent-led tram tour of its 80 acres (additional fees apply). Pima Air & Space Museum is located at 6000 E. Valencia Rd., just off I-10 exit 267, in Tucson. More information can be found at www.pimaair.org, on Facebook, or by calling 520 574-0462.

Note: The 390th Bombardment Group (Heavy) Memorial Museum is closed for reconstruction until further notice.

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Attachments: PASMHangar4.JPG = featuring the B-29 “Superfortress”
PASMSOFGallery.jpg = featuring the SR-71, world’s fastest spy plane

 

Hangar 4 featuring the B-29 “Superfortress”

SR-71, the world’s fastest spy plane

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mary E Emich
Director of Marketing, Sales and Visitor Services
Arizona Aerospace Foundation
6000 East Valencia Rd
Tucson, AZ  85756
Phone 520 574-0462
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Download PDF

TITAN MISSILE MUSEUM COMMEMORATES 50 YEARS OF THE BANG THAT NEVER WAS!

Sahuarita, AZ – Jun. 28, 2013. The Titan Missile Museum announced commemorative celebrations marking 50 years since the actual Titan II site, 571-7, went operational on Jul. 15, 1963. Celebrations include:

    • an extra-special Moonlight MADness on Sat. evening, Jul. 13, during which you can win a chance to sound the alarm! (Reservations required, call 625-7736).
    • an official Pima County proclamation,
    • special tours on Mon., Jul. 15th by past commanders,
    • FREE Titan Missile Museum admission for anyone born during July, 1963—the same month and year the site went operational—from Jul 15, 2013 through Aug. 31, 2013! (ID required).

The extra-special Moonlight MADness/cool summer evening event (Sat., Jul 13, 5 to 9pm, cost $7/adult, kids 12 & Under FREE) features:

    • Professional chalk artists and community “chalking” on the massive 760-ton silo door

        o Chris Leon
        o Jamie Tooley
        o Matt Cotten
        o Greg Ewald

     • Expanded viewing sites for the missile, lit up!
     • The Thunderbolt siren (that once signaled evacuation) being set off by community members

        o The 6pm siren “pulled” by the winner of a Facebook contest (enter by 7/1/13 at https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Titan-Missile-Museum/225757590289?fref=ts)
        o 6:30, 7, 7:30 and 8pm sirens to be set off by onsite drawing winners (among other prizes)

    • Southern Arizona Rocketry Assn. and Raytheon displays and plus activities for kids including “MAD” scientist seltzer rockets
    • The Flight Grill Food Truck (from the Pima Air & Space Museum) serving a special family-centric “grab ‘n go’ menu
    • Book signing by Titan Archivist and Historian Chuck Penson
    • No fireworks (remember, this is the bang that wasn’t)
    • Reservations at 625-7736.

“Thank goodness none of the Titan II missiles were ever launched from the U.S. so we can celebrate the success of the historic strategy that deterred our enemies; and commemorate 50 years since it went operational,” commented Yvonne Morris, a past Titan II missile silo commander and now Executive Director of the Arizona Aerospace Foundation (that operates the Titan Missile Museum). “I especially recommend coming to chalk on the massive silo doors, and see the masterpieces the professionals create inspired by the program,” continued Morris, “fifty years later, it’s continuing to execute its mission through education.” For a detailed history of the development of rocketry and the missile program see the attached article by Titan Missile Museum Archivist and Historian Chuck Penson entitled “Deterrence and the Ultimate Weapon.” Special commemorative coins will be available for purchase.

ABOUT THE TITAN MISSILE MUSEUM
The Titan Missile Museum is the only remaining Titan II site, open to the public, allowing you to relive a time when the threat of nuclear war between the U.S. and the former Soviet Union was a reality. The Titan II was capable of launching from its underground silo in 58 seconds and could deliver a nine megaton thermonuclear warhead to its target more than 5,500 miles away in less than thirty minutes. For more than two decades, 54 Titan II missile complexes across the United States stood "on alert" 24 hours a day, seven days a week, heightening the threat of nuclear war or preventing Armageddon, depending upon your point of view. To visit the Titan Museum, take I-19 to exit 69 Duval Mine Road west in Sahuarita, AZ. Open daily 8:45am to 5pm, except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Tours on the hour. More information can be found at www.titanmissilemuseum.org or by calling 520 625-7736. Yvonne Morris is available for interviews.

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Attachments: titan2launch.jpg; TMM571-7 now color.jpg; TMM571-7 then.jpg

Test launch of a Titan II Intercontinental Ballistic Missile from Vandenberg Air Force Base

Missile site 571-7 as it appears today. By 1980, civilization had encroached significantly on the complex, causing much concern among Air Force officials. Photgrpahy by Chuck Penson and pilot Bert Zaccaria

Missile site 571-7 under construction in 1962. The silo cover is seen at the left side of excavation, with the blast lock and control center to the right.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mary E Emich
Director of Marketing, Sales and Visitor Services
Arizona Aerospace Foundation
6000 East Valencia Rd
Tucson, AZ  85756
Phone 520 574-0462
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Download PDF

SALUTING ACTIVE-DUTY SERVICE PERSONNEL: PIMA AIR & SPACE MUSEUM OFFERING FREE ADMISSION TO ACTIVE-DUTY MILITARY & THEIR FAMILIES ON JULY 4TH

Tucson, AZ—Jun. 28, 2013. Pima Air & Space Museum announced FREE admission for active military, their spouses and dependents this Independence Day (Thu., Jul. 4, 2013). The museum would like to thank our active military for their service during these tough financial times by offering FREE admission [during normal business hours 9 AM to 5 PM (last admission 4 PM)] for one day only, July 4, 2013. Military ID is required for admission.
“We are happy to offer a little perk to our military especially in light of recent cutbacks for the July 4th holiday,” stated Yvonne Morris, Executive Director of the not-for-profit Arizona Aerospace Foundation that operates Pima Air & Space. She continued, “It’s always heartwarming to watch the enthusiasm as parents share their knowledge of our collection with their kids.”

Pima Air & Space’s onsite restaurant, Flight Grill, will be open as usual. The docent-narrated tram tour ($6pp) facilitates experiencing the amazing outdoor aircrafts over the museum’s 80 acres. Due to the holiday, the “Boneyard”/AMARG tours will not be available. Pima Air & Space Museum traditionally offers free admission for active-duty military on Veterans Day and Memorial Day, however this is a one-time offer for July 4th-- only for 2013.

ABOUT PIMA AIR & SPACE MUSEUM
Be wowed at Pima Air & Space Museum! Pima Air & Space is one of the largest aviation museums in the world, and the largest non-government-funded aviation museum in the U.S. The museum maintains a collection of more than 300 aircraft and spacecraft from around the globe with 125,000+ artifacts. Exhibits at the museum include some of the world’s greatest aviation heritage, including commercial, military and civil aviation. Among them are the SR-71 Blackbird (the world’s fastest spy plane), a B-29 Superfortress (the WWII bomber that flew higher, farther and faster and carried more bombs), the world’s smallest flying bi-plane, a moon rock and planes used as canvases by renown contemporary artists including Brazilian graffiti artist Nunca. The museum has five large hangars totaling more than 177,000 indoor square feet—almost four football fields¬—of air/space craft, heroes’ stories and scientific phenomena. Pima Air & Space maintains its own aircraft restoration center. The Museum also operates exclusive tours of the “Boneyard,” aka the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG), on the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base grounds plus a docent-led tram tour of its 80 acres of airplanes (additional fees apply). Pima Air & Space Museum is located at 6000 E. Valencia Rd. in Tucson. More information about the museum can be found at www.pimaair.org, on Facebook, or by calling 520 574-0462.

Note: The 390th Bombardment Group (Heavy) Memorial Museum is closed for reconstruction until further notice.

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Attachment: Staff photos: PASMWWIIB-29.jpg; PASMDadHueyDaughterReflection.jpg

WWII B-29

Father & Daughter looking at reflection in Huey