Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum

Walk on the battlefield where the attack began, enter the bullet-scarred hangars, see the control tower and aircraft of the battle, including a Japanese Zero and the B-17 Swamp Ghost. Hear the stories of WWII heroes and their response to the attack that changed our nation and the world. Audio Tour included. Flight simulators and Cafe available.

Hangar 37 is a 42,000 square foot former seaplane hangar that survived the December 7, 1941 attack. Guests have the opportunity to take a brief docent-guided tour of two historic hangars that were standing on December 7, 1941. Historic aircraft include a P-40 Warhawk, B-25 Mitchell Bomber (similar to those used in the Doolittle Raid), SBD Dauntless Divebomber, and the Ni'ihau Zero. Hangar 79, the Museum's second hangar is an 80,000 square foot seaplane hangar. At each end, the hangar doors’ blue glass windows are still riddled with bullet holes left by the Japanese attack. Today, it holds many of our modern jets and historic helicopters including an F-86 Sabre, MiG-15, and a CH-46 Sea Knight. Hangar 79 is also home to the legendary B-17 known as Swamp Ghost, a T-6 displayed as-seen on the morning of the attack, and a C-47/DC-3 Skytrain or "Gooney Bird."

Exhibits

For one-day only Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum will bring history to life during our annual Living History Day. Visitors of all ages are invited to participate in fun activities including open cockpits, aviation activities, scavenger hunts, a Rosie the Riveter costume contest, and so much more! Experience the rich history of Pearl Harbor, America’s aviation battlefield, and explore the important responsibilities, on the front lines and home front, of our Greatest Generation during World War II.

Visitors are also invited to interact with our costumed WWII interpreters, watch musical performances, and explore the newly established exhibits throughout the Museum.

Participation in Museum Day is open to any tax-exempt or governmental museum or cultural venue on a voluntary basis. Smithsonian magazine encourages museum visitation, but is not responsible for and does not endorse the content of the participating museums and cultural venues, and does not subsidize museums that participate.