Air Zoo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Air Zoo

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Former name	Kalamazoo Aviation History Museum
Established	1977 (1977)
Location	Portage, Michigan
Type	Aviation museum
Founder	Sue Parish Pete Parish

The Air Zoo is an exciting place in Portage, Michigan. It's an aviation museum and an indoor amusement park all in one! You can find it right next to the Kalamazoo-Battle Creek International Airport.

The Air Zoo has many amazing and rare aircraft. One of its most famous planes is the SR-71B Blackbird. This plane is known as the world's fastest aircraft that uses air to breathe. Many of the old planes at the Air Zoo can still fly!

Besides planes, the Air Zoo has fun rides and experiences. You can watch a 180-degree movie that makes you feel like you're on a B-17 bombing mission during World War II. There are also different flight simulators. You can pretend to fly a rocket to Mars or be a pilot in a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Hornet. You can even try flying a stunt biplane or a hot air balloon. The Air Zoo is also connected to the Smithsonian Institution, which means it shares cool exhibits with them.

History of the Air Zoo

Sue Parish's Curtiss P-40 Warhawk at the Air Zoo

The Air Zoo started as the Kalamazoo Aviation History Museum in 1977. It was founded by two pilots: Sue Parish and Preston "Pete" Parish. Sue Parish was one of the brave Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) during World War II. Pete Parish was also a pilot in WWII.

Their goal was to save and show historical aircraft and items. They also wanted the museum to be a place for learning and research. The museum first opened its doors on November 18, 1979. It quickly became one of the biggest aviation museums in the United States.

In 1999, the museum changed its name to the Air Zoo. This fun name came from the many planes in their collection that have animal nicknames. Think of planes like the Warhawk, Gooneybird, Wildcat, Bearcat, and Hellcat!

Also in 1999, plans began to make the museum much bigger. In April 2003, construction started on a huge new building. This new space was twice the size of the old museum. It added new flight simulators and amusement rides. It also brought in special exhibits from the Smithsonian Institution. A new 4-D theater was also built. This theater combines 3-D movies with cool effects like rocking chairs and smoke. These effects make you feel like you're really in the action!

The new Air Zoo opened in April 2004. Inside, you can see the world's largest hand-painted indoor mural. It's called "Century of Flight" and was painted by Rick Herter. This giant painting is a tribute to the history of flying.

In 2007, a special Michigan Space & Science Center opened in the old museum building. This center showed World War II aircraft and items from a space center that had closed.

On October 1, 2011, the Air Zoo made its main building even bigger. They moved everything from the old building into this new addition. Half of this new area is about space. The other half shows more World War II aircraft. The old building is now used as a Restoration Center. Here, experts work to fix up old planes. They have worked on planes like a Douglas Dauntless and a Sopwith Camel. Their latest project is an FM-2 Wildcat that was at the bottom of Lake Michigan for 68 years!

In December 2020, the Air Zoo received a special gift. The United States Air Force donated an F-117A Nighthawk stealth fighter. This was the first time a stealth fighter was given to a museum that wasn't run by the government.

The museum also received the huge 60,000-pound anchor from the USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) aircraft carrier. They also got parts of the carrier's deck. These items will be on display outside starting in June 2024.

What You Can See at the Air Zoo

The Air Zoo has several special collections. Since 1995, it has been home to the Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame. This honors important people in Michigan's aviation history.

The museum also has the Guadalcanal Memorial Museum. This part of the museum tells the story of the fighting on Guadalcanal during World War II. It is supported by veterans who fought in that campaign.

Aircraft Collection

Planes on Display

Inside the museum

The Lockheed F-104C Starfighter at the Air Zoo in Kalamazoo Michigan.

Planes Being Restored

See also

• List of aerospace museums