The Air Zoo, originally named the Kalamazoo Aviation History Museum, is a museum and indoor amusement park located near the Kalamazoo-Battle Creek International Airport in Portage, Michigan. The Air Zoo displays many historic and rare airplanes, including the SR-71B Blackbird, which is the fastest air-breathing aircraft in the world. Some of its older planes can still fly. Other features include a 180-degree theater that shows a simulation of a B-17 bomber mission during World War II, and rides that let visitors experience flight simulations, such as a rocket trip to Mars, a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Hornet (formerly used by the Blue Angels), a stunt biplane, a hot air balloon, and a U.S. Navy F-14A Tomcat that once flew on the USS America. The Air Zoo is a partner with the Smithsonian Institution.
History
The Kalamazoo Aviation History Museum was created in 1977 by former Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs), Sue Parish and WWII pilot Preston "Pete" Parish. The museum was focused on preserving and displaying historical and military artifacts, and on serving as a research and educational facility for people in the United States and other countries. The museum opened on November 18, 1979, and quickly became one of the 10 largest non-governmental aviation museums in the United States.
In early 1999, the museum changed its name to Air Zoo. This name comes from the many planes in its collection that have animal nicknames, such as Warhawk, Gooney bird, Wildcat, Bearcat, and Hellcat.
Also in early 1999, plans began for a major renovation. On April 25, 2003, construction started on a new 120,000-square-foot (11,000 m²) facility. This new building doubled the museum’s size and added flight simulators, amusement rides, Smithsonian Institution exhibitions, character actors, and a 4-D theater. The 4-D theater uses 3-D films with special effects, such as rocking chairs and plumes of smoke, to simulate anti-aircraft fire.
The new facility opened in April 2004. It includes the world’s largest hand-painted indoor mural, "Century of Flight," created by aviation artist Rick Herter. The mural, which covers 25,000 square feet (2,300 m²), is located in the main entrance and honors the history of flight.
In June 2007, the Michigan Space & Science Center opened in the old building (East Campus). This building displayed World War II aircraft and several artifacts from the former Jackson Space Center.
On October 1, 2011, the Air Zoo expanded its Main Campus again by moving all items from the East Campus into a new 50,000-square-foot addition. Half of this expansion, called the "East Wing," is dedicated to space-themed exhibits, while the other half displays World War II aircraft. The East Campus is now used as the Restoration Center, where workers repair aircraft such as a Douglas Dauntless, a Sopwith Camel, and the museum’s latest project: an FM-2 Wildcat that had been submerged at the bottom of Lake Michigan for 68 years.
In December 2020, the Air Zoo acquired an F-117A Nighthawk, tail number 85-0817, on loan from the United States Air Force. This aircraft was the first stealth fighter donated to a non-governmental museum.
It was also announced that the museum received one of the anchors and several pieces of the flight deck from the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk for outdoor display. These items will be shown in June 2024 with the help of the USS Kitty Hawk Veterans Association.
Exhibits
The Air Zoo has several collections of historical items. Since September 23, 1995, the Air Zoo has been the home of the Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame. It also houses the Guadalcanal Memorial Museum, which is supported and cared for by the Guadalcanal Campaign Veterans Association. This museum shows information about the battles on Guadalcanal during World War II.