Get in the cockpit of a warplane in the Pacific Aviation Museum’s flight simulator and learn about over 30 different aircraft that served in World War II, the Korean War and beyond. Discover the personal accounts of the Japanese and American soldiers involved in wartime, find out which buildings were targeted by Japanese soldiers and see bullet holes from the raids.
Ford Island was the focus of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and is now the home of the Pacific Aviation Museum. The exhibitions are split into two hangars and cover 6.5 hectares (16-acres).
Start your discovery in Hangar 37. Watch a short documentary about the Pearl Harbor attacks on December 7, 1941, before continuing on into the central exhibition space. An authentic Japanese Zero plane is exhibited here on the deck of an aircraft carrier. Find out what happened to the Japanese pilot who crashed on the island, but survived.
See planes from the American World War II fleet, such as the SBD Dauntless dive-bomber and an F4F Wildcat. Explore Hangar 79 to see planes that have been meticulously restored, like the B-17 Bomber that was pulled out of a swamp in New Guinea. Some vehicles here were returned from the Vietnam War. Some aircraft require further restoration and are temporarily kept in Hangar 79.
Experience the buzz of piloting a plane in the museum’s state-of-the-art flight simulator. All the action might give you an appetite, so grab a small meal or a snack at the museum’s restaurant.
The Pacific Aviation Museum is open daily except for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s days. The entry fee covers admission to the museum docent-led tours and a turn on the flight simulator are available for an extra fee. The island is only accessible by shuttle bus. Catch the convenient public bus or park in a free parking lot located near the shuttle’s departure point at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Centre on mainland O’ahu.
