Pima Air and Space Museum, Tucson, AZ

[John B.]

Just curious, John... How old are most of the paint jobs that are being redone? Any originals? You guys are going to town and doing a fantastic job!!

It varies and it varies wildly from airplane to airplane.  But, most (but not all) of the airplanes that have been here since before the 1990's have likely been repainted at least once.  For example, the F-105D arrived at PASM in about 1983 and it was repainted in about 1995.  So, this is the second repaint since it has been at PASM.

There are many variables at play--paint formulations, gloss versus flat finish, light colors versus dark colors, as examples--that make the age of paint jobs differ from airplane to airplane.

[John B.]

Speaking of the F-105D, the most recent:


Republic F-105D Thunderchief 61-0086 par John Bezosky Jr., on ipernity


Republic F-105D Thunderchief 61-0086 par John Bezosky Jr., on ipernity

[Brian Corbett]

It varies and it varies wildly from airplane to airplane.  But, most (but not all) of the airplanes that have been here since before the 1990's have likely been repainted at least once.  For example, the F-105D arrived at PASM in about 1983 and it was repainted in about 1995.  So, this is the second repaint since it has been at PASM.

There are many variables at play--paint formulations, gloss versus flat finish, light colors versus dark colors, as examples--that make the age of paint jobs differ from airplane to airplane.

I figured as much. What kind of paint is being applied now? Acrylic urethane or something similar?

[Jeff D. Welker]

Speaking of the F-105D, the most recent:


Republic F-105D Thunderchief 61-0086 par John Bezosky Jr., on ipernity


Republic F-105D Thunderchief 61-0086 par John Bezosky Jr., on ipernity

Of course, I like how it looks right now 

[John B.]

I figured as much. What kind of paint is being applied now? Acrylic urethane or something similar?

Exactly.  We use the Martin Senour Prism system.

[John B.]

Of course, I like how it looks right now 

Glad you do, Jeff.  But we have to keep a whole bunch of other people happy, too!

[John B.]

New arrival at the museum!   


Westland AH.1 Gazelle XX384 par John Bezosky Jr., on ipernity

[Tower Guy]

Good looking Gazelle John, doesn't look like it needs anything but assembled and displayed. Nice addition.

[John B.]

Another day of moving a big and heavy thing around...


Convair B-36J Peacemaker 52-2827 par John Bezosky Jr., on ipernity

[Anna M. Wood]

Where is the B-36 moving to?

[John B.]

Where is the B-36 moving to?

It was just moved a short way across the aisle.  Now it is parked along the Valencia fence next to the B-47.

[Anna M. Wood]

Where is the B-36 moving to?

It was just moved a short way across the aisle.  Now it is parked along the Valencia fence next to the B-47.

That will make a great night time image along the fence line....

[John B.]

The F-105D is nearly down to bare metal, so it won't be long before it is wearing primer.


Republic F-105D Thunderchief 61-0086 par John Bezosky Jr., on ipernity

[John B.]

Moving ahead on our no-longer unknown identity Ilyushin Il-2:
7th Guards Assault Aviation Regiment, Red Banner Baltic Fleet, February 1943 - January 1944


7th Guards Assault Aviation Regiment Ilyushin Il-2 Sturmovik 5612 par John Bezosky Jr., on ipernity


7th Guards Assault Aviation Regiment Ilyushin Il-2 Sturmovik 5612 par John Bezosky Jr., on ipernity

[Anna M. Wood]

Boeing EB-47E Stratojet

To hot to play outside today...  From December of 2014.  As I recall it was pretty chilly this evening at PASM.