Arizona is well-known as a snowbird paradise—for both the flying and biped kind—because of the mild winters and sunny days that are great for winter food supply and aging joints. But did you know our state is also the perfect retirement home for another flying creature? Well, less of a creature and more of a contraption. There is an incredible airplane boneyard in Arizona that is a perfect roadside stop for any plane enthusiasts out there. Or even just a fascinating stop for anyone who wants to see a rare, one-of-a-kind attraction you won't really find anywhere else.
This is the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group at the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base but it is more popularly known as the “Boneyard.”
This space is home to a huge collection of old aircraft.
We’re talking more than 4,000 old military and NASA planes hanging out in the arid Sonoran desert just shy of the Rincon Mountains. In fact, it’s the largest of its kind in the world!
The planes that reside here for storage or scrap.
Some are merely kept around for spare parts, others are repaired for display, and others still are just waiting to fly again.
And the location here in the Tucson desert is perfect for long-term storage!
The humidity is low year-round (to prevent mold), there are few rainy days (to prevent rust or floating away), and the soil type is sturdy enough to prevent the planes from sinking into the dirt during storage or moving.
The facility was established just seven months after World War II ended to house excess Air Force aircraft, like B-29s.
In addition to the rows of identical planes, you’ll also come across some historical finds that stand out, like this old helicopter that you might recognize from footage from the Vietnam War.
There are also ones that look like pieces of art!
While most of the aircraft stored long-term are painted white to reflect the hot desert sun, this one saw new life as an artist’s canvas.
If you have some time to spare, check out this video from Arizona Public Media that gives a nice, detailed overview of the Boneyard.
Tours of the boneyard are available on weekdays from the Pima Air and Space Museum, located at 2720 S Craycroft Road, Tucson, AZ, 85707. Additional information can be found on their website, pimaair.org.
Want to find another fantastic southern Arizona find that you can visit this weekend? Check out our recent article, The Story Behind This Arizona Biodome Is Both Fascinating And Controversial.
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