Planes of Fame Air Museum, Grand Canyon is a Northern Arizona must-see for your groups located between the Grand Canyon and Williams, Arizona at the intersection of Highways 64 and 180.

     The Allies produced more than 300,000 military aircraft during World War II but most were destroyed within a few years of the war ending in 1945.  Many aircraft types disappeared entirely.  Consequently, many of the aircraft on display at the two Planes of Fame Museums today are the sole surviving examples of their type.  However, Edward Maloney wanted to do more than display the aircraft—he wanted to create a flying museum, an idea that he pioneered.

     Edward Maloney founded the first air museum in 1957 in Claremont, California.  At that time it was simply called “The Air Museum” because it was the only air museum in existence in the U.S. west of the Mississippi River.

     The museum’s collection continued to grow over the years and was eventually relocated in 1973 to the historic Chino Airport in Chino, California.  Then, as more and more aircraft were restored, an additional facility was opened in Valle-Grand Canyon, Arizona in 1995.  Located between Williams and Grand Canyon, Arizona, the Valle facility houses more than 40 aircraft, many of which are flyable.

 

     One of the main attractions at Planes of Fame, Grand Canyon is the personal transport plane of General Douglas MacArthur, a Lockheed C-121-A Constellation, “Bataan”.  Along with taking part in the Berlin Airlift and being assigned to various high-ranking VIPs, “Bataan” saw service in the Korean War and was stationed at Hickam AB in Hawaii following the war.

     Each year in June, Planes of Fame, Grand Canyon hosts High Country Warbirds Fly-In where museum members have the chance to fly in a P-51 Mustang, B-25 Bomber, Ford Tri-Motor and many more historic aircraft.  The event also is host to the P-38 National Association and its annual meeting of the P-38 pilots, a very rare opportunity to meet and talk with some of our country’s most amazing war heroes.

     Every day at Planes of Fame Air Museum, you can experience history - both the reliving of it and the making of it. When one of their planes flies, for most it is a rare and wonderful thing to witness. Planes of Fame Air Museum has maintained a fleet of flyable historic aircraft for more than 50 years. The museum has operated these aircraft longer than the Army Air Corps or Air Force did. Planes of Fame Air Museum truly is where aviation history lives.

     The museum is also home to an impressive AOT sanctioned Arizona Visitor Center and an aviation-based gift shop with models, t-shirts and much more.  Open everyday except for Thanksgiving and Christmas from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. the museum is welcomes groups.

     The museum is more than 32,000 square feet in size with a maximum occupancy of 1,800 people. They have a large parking lot on site that easily accommodates buses and passengers can depart the bus just a few steps away from the front door.

     Mention Bus Tours Magazine and your drivers and escorts will receive complimentary admission with your group. Mention this article and the special group rate will be $5 per person for groups of 10 or more. Payment can be received at time of admission to the museum. Prior notice of visitation is appreciated but not necessary.  Soft drink vending machine and bottled water are available on site.

 Visit their Web site to learn about their most recent upcoming events

For more information phone the museum at (928) 635-1000 or visit their Web site, www.planesoffame.org