Displayed in the Desert Storm colours as operated by 6 Sqdn from Bahrain in 1990

Constructed as a Kestrel FGA.1 by Hawker Siddeley at Dunsfold, this aircraft was one of a handful assigned to the Tripartite Evaluation Squadron at West Raynham in 1964. After testing was concluded in England at the end of 1965, six of the aircraft were sold to the US for further testing. They were re-designated as the XV-6A and given USAF serials, this one being 64-18264. The initial conclusion was that there was not a need for such an aircraft in the US forces, but of course history proved otherwise, the AV-8 becoming a great success in the USMC

Despite expensive enquiries I have not been able to determine the authenticity of this unusual paint job. Pima's site states that these are RAF test colours from 1961 at Dunsfold but I think it more likely that the colours were simply inherited from the previous private owner who had the aircraft painted like this, perhaps to look like an Indian Gnat/Ajeet. Pima's Head of Collections was very helpful in correspondence, but we were not able to resolve this question. What we do know is that the aircraft was used by the A&AEE, Bristol Siddeley Engines and the RAE before becoming a ground trainer.

Recently restored as flown by the Flying Doctor Service, Broken Hill, NSW, Australia, 1952, when Drovers were first introduced. Ex VQ-FAP and VH-EBT. Obtained by Pima from Australia in 2020

On display in its original TWA livery since 1980, this early Constellation was built in 1946 as C-69 42-94549 and began its civilian career in 1948

In 1968 the Cavalier Aircraft Corporation modified two P-51 Mustangs with Dart engines in an attempt to interest the USAF in a lightweight counter-insurgency aircraft but having failed to do so, sold the design to Piper in 1979 who instead used the YT-55 turboprop in the two Enforcers they built. Despite looking like the Mustang, there was less than 10% commonality. First flown in 1983, the concept was successfully demonstrated but again no orders were forthcoming.

Marian Rice Hart purchased this aircraft in July 1961 having learnt to fly in 1946, made the first of her seven solo trans-Atlantic flights in 1966 at the age of 74. Mostly flying alone till the age of 87, she took it to every continent except Antarctica.

One of two Flying Boxcars in the collection, this C-119C is currently displayed as flown by Hemet Valley Flying Service, Hemet, California as "Tanker 81" till the mid-1980s, although it may be restored to USAF colours in due course. It is ex 49-132 which was wfu and stored at MASDC in 1967 and sold to Aero Union Corp of Chico, CA in 1969. After fire retardant systems were installed it operated as tanker 'E12' and had the jet engine mounted on top in 1974 to improve performance over forest fires. Sold on to Hemet in 1975, becoming tanker '81' as seen here.

A long way and a long time from my first sighting of United's first Caravelle. See photo #20949...

Delivered to the Air Force in 1963 as a regular Stratotanker, 63-7998, this aircraft served in the aerial refuelling role for thirty years before passing to NASA for use in its Reduced Gravity Research Program. After nearly 35,000 parabolas for 18,000 passengers had been flown from the Johnson Space Center, it made what was reckoned to be the last ever flight by a turbojet KC-135A in October 2004 when it was delivered to Davis Monthan for Pima.

NASA used several Gulfstreams for transport and experimental work, two of them being converted to incorporate a replica of the Space Shuttle's cockpit, the aircraft being flown in such a way that it mimicked the flight characteristics of the Shuttle. This one was based at the Johnson Space Center in Houston

Designed as a crop-duster in 1958 and leading on to a whole series of agricultural aircraft from the Rockwell, Ayres and Thrush family. The company's founder, Leland Snow, left Rockwell in 1972 to found Air Tractor, which is still producing similar agricultural aircraft, some of which have been adapted to be marketed in the close air support role.

Based on an earlier design by Burt Rutan, only seven A500s were built between 2005 and 2008 when Adam Aircraft Industries went out of business. Numerous problems held back the program, the worst being excessive weight. A jet derivative was proposed but did not get off the drawing board.

The RAAF was one of the largest users of the Vampire with nearly 200 aircraft being built in Australia by de Havilland Australia. The two seat T.35s were delivered between 1952 and 1954 serving until 1970. This one is displayed in the Central Flying School's Telstars aerobatic team marks in which it flew in 1969, based at East Sale in Victoria.

Built as a UC-12B in 1982 and later converted to trainer configuration and assigned to VT-35, NAS Corpus Christi, TX. To AMARC in 2006 and earmarked by the US Department of State but not taken up.

First served VA-81 and VA-83 before joining VA-46 in 1988. Displayed in their marks as onboard USS John F Kennedy in 1991. Markings below the cockpit indicate the number of bombs dropped by this aircraft in the Gulf War rather than missions flown. To AMARC 1991