Tucsonans interested in a closer look at the aircraft inside Davis-Monthan Air Force Base's iconic "Boneyard" but unable to visit during typical working hours can finally get a peek during a special Saturday tour. Created with working locals in mind, several tours on Aug. 31 will allow visitors a chance to see the fighter jets, cargo planes and more from the comfort of an air-conditioned bus that typically only runs during the week. Led by docents from the adjacent Pima Air & Space Museum, these tours often sell out, even though they're normally offered during business hours only.
On the outskirts of the city of Tucson, Arizona, this airbase has become the last resting place for most of the US inventory of aircraft. The B-52's that were scraped as part of the START II treaty were dealt with here. Generations of aircraft have sit here in the sun, standing one final duty before succumbing to the breakers axe.
The Arizona climate means the aircraft don't deteriorate very rapidly, and sealed in plastic they can be maintained, to some degree, for long periods. SR-71's spent time here before being reactivated a few years ago. Of course the six or so that were resurrected are all back there again.
As the perimeter fence runs by public roads around all sides of the base, a significant number of aircraft can be seen. However, there is more land area to D-M that can't easily be seen from outside fences, many aircraft sit well back and are hard to see. Don't miss this opportunity Saturday, Aug 31.
Visit https://www.pimaair.org/ for a complete list of planes on display and more information on the Pima Air & Space Museum.