Night Ops at Pima Air and Space Museum AND the Tucson Military Vehicle Museum – Saturday 07/25/2026
Trip Cost $18.00
Night Ops is a unique summer event that enables you to experience both the Pima Air & Space Museum and the Tucson Military Vehicle Museum during the cooler evening hours.
First, take a tour of one of the largest non-governmental air and space museums in the world. You’ll be fascinated by approximately 400 historical aircraft and spacecraft from the United States and around the world. Check out the Spirit of Freedom Hangar featuring many historic and iconic aircraft as well as the Flight Grill and Museum Store. Three World War II hangars feature bombers such as the B-24 Liberator, B-25 Mitchell and B-29 Superfortress; fighters like the P-51 Mustang and P-40 Warhawk; and transport and utility aircraft such as the C-47 Skytrain. The Aerospace Gallery includes the capsule from the movie Apollo 13, exhibits highlighting the space race, and the Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame. Learn more about the museum here. For Night Ops, you'll also be able to tour NASA’s now-retired Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) aircraft, a Boeing 747-SP.
Then visit one of the area's newest museums. Opened in March 2025, the Tucson Military Vehicle Museum houses over 60 vehicles including armored personnel carriers, tanks, artillery and amphibious vehicles from World War I through the Gulf War - over 60 vehicles in all.
You'll be given a wrist band enabling you to visit both museums. A shuttle between the museums will run between 5:30 and 8:45 PM. You may also drive your own vehicle between the two parking lots.
For a nominal fee, you can take a ride in a military vehicle or try your hand piloting a flight simulator.
We’ll meet at the Photography Club at 3:30 PM for carpooling, departure at 4:00 PM. Wear comfortable shoes and a hat or sunshade and bring water. Please wear your GVR Photography Club or Camera Club badge if you have one. For those carpooling, $5.00 is an appropriate contribution to the driver.
THIS TOUR WILL INVOLVE EXTENSIVE WALKING AND STANDING.
You may bring your own water, but no outside food or beverages are allowed. You can enjoy snacks on your own at the Flight Grill, which will be open until 7:30 PM.
Tom Parker will be our trip leader. Contact Tom at 618-304-1456 or tparker324@aol.com with any questions. He will be disseminating more information to registered participants via e-mail as we get closer to the event. Please add your trip leader's email and phone number to your contact list so you don't miss out on any important updates.
GVR requires that every person participating in the club's field trips must sign a waiver absolving GVR of any liability. You will be required to sign the waiver at the Photography club before the trip departs if you haven't already done so.
The last date to cancel for a refund is July 18, 2026. If you need to cancel, please contact the Field Trip Co-Chair Lynn Rozema at 719-351-5193 or email lrozema51@gmail.com. We may have people on the wait list to take your place.
If you have to cancel on the day of the trip, please call Tom as soon as you know you cannot make the trip.
NOTICE:
All participants need to be responsible for an assessment of their mobility and health issues relating to field trips. Some trips may not be appropriate, but you must make that determination. However, the trip leader may deny participation in a specific field trip to anyone deemed not suitably prepared or able to walk with the group.
Be sure to have your GVR card with you for each and every field trip. Without it, you won't be allowed to go on the trip. No refunds will be granted for failure to comply with this requirement. To protect GVR and club member benefits, GVR has implemented a new process that requires each field trip participant to come into the club and scan his/her GVR card to confirm eligibility. We no longer have the option of typing in your name or GVR number – only the physical GVR card will do.
We will no longer meet in the parking lot. We will meet in the GVR Photography Club where you will scan your GVR card confirming your eligibility to go on the trip. We’ll also review important/late-breaking information, pair up drivers and riders, provide driving directions, and give participants a chance to visit the restrooms prior to departure. Again, be sure to have your GVR card with you.
In order to participate in this event, you must be a member of the GVR Photography Club and GVR.
The GVR Photography Club is located in the Recreation Village of Santa Rita Springs.