Paul
E. Garber Facility is a restoration and storage facility,
located in Suitland, Maryland, that houses the National
Air and Space Museum reserve collection of historically
significant air and space craft. Though the facility
has been
used as an artifact storage and restoration center by the Smithsonian
Institution since the mid-1960s, it was not until 1977
that some
of the buildings were opened to the public as museum and restoration
facility tour.
Many of the aircraft formally stored at
the location have been moved, or are in the process of
being moved to the new NASM
Udvar-Hazy Center
Aircraft Collection
Formally, it displayed the entire NASM collection. Since 2003, many of these aircraft have since been moved to display at NASM
Udvar-Hazy Center. Still, many aircraft, engines, propellers and other
flight related objects are still stored here.
Restoration Facility
All of the NASM aircraft were restored at this facility, and continued restorations.
Pacific Collection
Of special interest for World War II Pacific aviation are the
following aircraft in storage at the Garber Facility:
B-17D "Swoose" Serial
Number 40-3097
Stored at the facility from 1961 - July 2008 to USAF Museum
G4M3 Model 34 Betty Tail T2-2205
B7A Grace
P1Y1 Ginga (Francis)
B6N2 Tenzan (Jill)
N1K1 Kyofu (Rex)
B7A2 Grace Manufacture Number 816
