Hill Aerospace Museum facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Hill Aerospace Museum

A Northrop F-89H Scorpion in the outdoor air park, in front of the museum
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Established	1981 (1981)
Location	Hill Air Force Base, Roy, Utah
Type	Military aviation museum
Collection size	70+ aircraft
Visitors	265,000 annually

B-1B Lancer on display in the outdoor airpark.

AIR-2 Genie nuclear air-to-air rocket sitting on a MF-9 Transport Trailer inside the jet hangar of Hill Aerospace Museum.

The Hill Aerospace Museum is an exciting military aviation museum located at Hill Air Force Base in Roy, Utah. It's a fantastic place to learn about the history of this important air base and the story of aviation in Utah. The museum displays over 70 aircraft, from early planes to modern jets, giving visitors a close-up look at amazing flying machines.

The Museum's History

How the Museum Started

The idea for the Hill Aerospace Museum began in 1984. Work started on an "Aerospace Park and Museum" to showcase amazing aircraft. The museum officially opened its doors in 1987, inside a building that used to be a warehouse during World War II.

Growing Bigger and Better

In 1989, the original chapel from the base was moved to the museum and given a new purpose. A few years later, in 1991, the museum got even bigger. A new administration building and a large hangar, about 9,600 square feet and 36,000 square feet respectively, were opened.

During the mid-1990s, the museum worked to recover several aircraft wrecks. These included parts of a B-24, B-26, P-38, and P-40 from Alaska, bringing them back to life for display.

New Additions and Renovations

The museum became the home of the Utah Aviation Hall of Fame in 1996, honoring important people in Utah's aviation history. In 1999, a second display hangar opened, called the Lindquist-Stewart Fighter Gallery. The first hangar, now named the Hadley Gallery, got a mezzanine (an extra floor) the next year. In 2004, a special exhibit about the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) was created, celebrating the brave women who flew planes during WWII.

In 2015, many of the outdoor aircraft displays were repainted to keep them looking great. The Utah Aviation Hall of Fame was also updated in 2016 for its twentieth anniversary.

Modern Updates and Future Plans

In 2019, the museum finished turning a C-130 airplane body into a unique classroom. The museum started a big expansion project in 2021. They began building a new facility to restore old planes. The state of Utah also gave them $12 million to build a third hangar. This new hangar, which is about 80,000 square feet, started construction in October 2022. Aircraft began moving into this new space in November 2023, and it was officially named the L.S. Skaggs Gallery in May 2024.

Museum Facilities

The Hill Aerospace Museum offers more than just aircraft displays. It has special areas for learning and research.

Learning and Education

The museum is home to the Marc C. Reynolds Aerospace Center for Education. This cool learning center is actually located inside the fuselage (body) of a C-130 aircraft! It's a unique place for students to learn about aviation.

Research and Archives

Visitors can also find the Major General Rex A. Hadley Research Library and Archives here. This library holds lots of technical and historical information about the aircraft and aviation history on display. It's a great resource for anyone wanting to dive deeper into the subject.

Memorial Chapel

Also on site is the Col. Nathan H. Mazer Memorial Chapel, adding another historical element to the museum grounds.

Museum Exhibits

The museum features many interesting exhibits that tell different stories about aviation.

You can learn about famous aviators from Utah, like Brigadier General Leon C. Packer and former senator Jake Garn. Other exhibits explore the unique "nose art" found on planes of the 509th Composite Group and the history of the Eighth Air Force. These exhibits help bring the stories of flight and the people involved to life.

Aircraft Collection

The Hill Aerospace Museum has an impressive collection of over 70 aircraft. Here are some of the amazing planes you can see:

See also

• Hill Air Force Base
• List of aerospace museums