Pacific Aviation Museum at Ford Island
The U.S. Navy docked some of its best ships at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked it on December 7, 1941, but did you know that aircraft carriers and other airplanes were also there? Today the Pacific Aviation Museum takes up what used to be Hangars 37 and 79 and transports visitors back 70 years through the history of aviation in the Pacific.
Hangar 37
When you arrive at the museum, the first thing you’ll do is enter Hangar 37— one of the few hangers not destroyed in the Pearl Harbor attack, and watch a 12-minute video. The video documents exactly what happened during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and showcases historical footage of the event.
After the movie ends, you’ll head to the next exhibit, which recounts the history of the Hawaiian Islands leading up to the attack on Pearl Harbor. Throughout the rest of the hangar, you’ll see a number of cool Japanese and American planes that were flown during and after the fateful day. The exhibits tell other stories of World War II and offer comprehensive looks at the many battles fought in the Pacific.
Hangar 79
In Hangar 79, 80,000 square feet of space shows signs of battle as bullet holes are still visible around the hangar. Once an engine and repair facility, Hangar 79 offers more of a modern look into military aircraft taking to the skies. The exhibits here show the more recent battles, like aircraft from the Korean War. You’ll find a number of modern planes, helicopters, and other vehicles that have been instrumental to the U.S. military. There’s also an exciting exhibit on the Korean War where visitors can learn more about the aircrafts used by both the U.S. and Soviet militaries.
Fully Restored Aircrafts
As you make your way through the two hangars that make up the Pacific Aviation Museum, you’ll see fully restored aircraft like the Boeing N2S-3 Stearman, the North American B-25B Mitchell, the Douglas SBD Dauntless, Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star, and many more. You can also explore some deeper details of the torpedoes responsible for damaging and sinking multiple battleships at the December 7th,1941 attack on Pearl Harbor.
Combat Flight Simulators
Gear yourself up to feel what it’s like to be behind the controls of the military’s greatest planes. Pilot a Grumman F4F-3 Wildcat or travel back to the 1940s in the Pacific, flying an A6M Zero fighter, P-38 Lightning, a Ki-61 Tony, and many other aircraft. Engage the enemy in the skies of Guadalcanal or bring it in for a landing on an aircraft carrier of the Pacific Fleet to feel how these crafts handle in mid-flight.
The Control Tower Tour
For almost 80 years, the Ford Island Control Tower has stood proudly as the silent guard over Pearl Harbor. Upgrade your ticket to the Top of the Tower Tour, a once-in-a-lifetime experience to get a view of the Pearl Harbor battlefield as the tower is open to the public for the first time in decades.
The Raytheon Pavilion and Outdoor Exhibits
The Raytheon Pavilion, located between Hangars 37 and 79, includes a number of traveling exhibits such as the future of aviation to the heroes of World War II. Outside the pavilion is a huge outdoor collection of historic and modern-day aircrafts including WWII-era helicopters and modern models that fly the skies today.
Most tours of Pearl Harbor include stops at the museums and monuments on Ford Island. Located in the middle of Pearl Harbor, Ford Island is a 441-acre island that’s prominent in both Hawaiian culture and American history. While it’s best known as the location of Battleship Row, the scene of massive destruction during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Ford Island also played a prominent role in military aviation.
Known today as Ford Island, the island was known to the Hawaiian people as Moku’ume’ume, meaning “island of attraction.” The history of American involvement on the island dates back to the mid-19th century. The island got its current name from Dr. Seth Porter Ford who came into possession of it through marriage. Not long after Ford’s death, the island became the focus of interest for the United States military. Though Hawaii was at the time an independent kingdom, the United States had been on the lookout for a base that could help provide a defense to its Pacific coast.
In 1873, Army Major General John M. Schofield and Lieutenant Colonel Burton S. Alexander arrived on Oahu to survey the island for possible military base locations. While they looked at many parts of Oahu, their attention was drawn to the small island in the middle of Pearl Harbor. In the initial report to the Secretary of War, which was the first discussion about obtaining Pearl Harbor for military use, the two suggested that the island would be well-suited for naval stores and military equipment.
Toward the end of World War I, Captain John Curry established the 6th Aero Squadron and negotiated the purchase of Ford Island as its base. Though Fort Kamehameha had been his first choice, after further investigation he decided that Ford Island would be the ideal location for his squadron.
The island seemed to be a natural fit for an air station, including a suitable approach and access to water for landings and take-offs. Perhaps the most important consideration, however, was that it was cheap and land on Oahu wasn’t easy to come by.
On September 25, 1917, after the sale of land from the John Papa Il Estate to the United States was complete, the 6th Aero Squadron left its temporary home at Fort Kamehameha and set up shop on the island under the command of Captain John B. Brooks. In the years that followed, much of Ford Island was cleared to make way for the first Army Air Service Station – Luke Field.
Named for World War I fighter pilot and Medal of Honor recipient Frank Luke, Luke Field housed the 6th Aero, which was made up of pursuit craft and bombers. Sixty-six bombers were based at the new airfield and by the end of 1935, Luke Field was so overwhelmed with craft that a second air base needed to be constructed nearby.
To accommodate the overflow, the US Navy was eventually given control of Ford Island and the Army constructed what would later be known as Hickam Field, just onshore. In 1940, all Army assets on Luke Field were transported to Hickam. Within a year, on December 7, 1941, the newer Army field became one of the many targets struck during the Pearl Harbor attack. A Japanese Strike Force flew into Oahu’s airspace with the intention of crippling the United States Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor. To prevent an aerial counterattack, Japanese pilots devastated airfields across the island, including Hickam Army Airfield.
Along with Hickam, the Ford Island Naval Air Station also became a target of Japanese fighters and bombers. On the morning of the attack, there were 70 planes stationed on Ford Island. Over the course of the two-hour assault, 33 of those were completely destroyed, nearly halving the number of functional aircraft.
With the nation at war, Ford Island was forced to take on more aircraft, which required a larger runway. By the time the runway was large enough to accommodate the PBY Flying Boat squadron and additional warplanes, it covered the entirety of the island’s center. For 16 years after the end of World War II, Ford Island Naval Air Station remained in service. In 1962, its designation as an active air base was removed, but its runway wouldn’t go to waste.
For security reasons, no bags are allowed on the shuttle bus to Ford Island. A bag storage facility, located at the Bowfin Submarine Park shuttle bus stop, can store your belongings for a fee.
Photos are allowed at the Aviation Museum, although because we are an active military base, be mindful of any areas that are off limits for photography, this includes the Admiral Clarey Bridge that you ride over on the way to Ford Island.
With over 50 aircrafts at the museum, you won’t want to rush through any exhibit at the Pacific Aviation Museum. Even if you don’t have a full day to dedicate to the museum, you still have great tour opportunities that will help you make the most of your time.
Though some people like to walk through museums on their own time, we highly recommend the self-guided audio tour. These audio tours make visiting the museum more enjoyable, and they let you move through the museum at your own pace. If you have limited time to see only your favorite exhibits, you can easily skip certain parts to ensure you don’t miss a moment of the action.
The air-conditioned and WWII-inspired cafe serves up classic all-American fare, for a sit-down but quick bite. Open from 11 am to 3 pm
