The Pima Air & Space Museum just got a new arrival.Â
The first-ever Boeing 777 airplane was donated to the Pima Air & Space Museum on Tuesday, according to a news release from airline Cathay Pacific.Â
The new plane, which is a permanent addition to the museum, made its Tucson debut on Tuesday after flying thousands of miles from Hong Kong.Â
The airplane was first flown in 1994 and was used as a test plane for the many years following.Â
During the 18 years that Boeing 777 was with Cathay Pacific, it operated more than 20,000 flights.Â
The plane holds a "very special place" in the history of Cathay Pacific, Rupert Hogg, the airline's chief executive officer, said in the release.Â
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"We are very pleased it will soon bring enjoyment to enthusiasts at its new home in Arizona," he said.Â
According to a Facebook posting from the museum, the plane flew into the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and was towed to the museum's location at 6000 E. Valencia Road.Â
A visit to Pima Air & Space MuseumÂ
Photos: A visit to the Pima Air & Space Museum
A visit to the Pima Air & Space Museum
Some of the museum's aircraft make a dramatic display.
A visit to the Pima Air & Space Museum
The museum has on display everything from a decommissioned Air Force One to NASA and Air Force transports.
A visit to the Pima Air & Space Museum
A visit to the Pima Air & Space Museum
Aero Spacelines B-377SG Super Guppy Cargo Transport on loan from NASA. This transported parts of the rocket sending the space shuttle into space.
A visit to the Pima Air & Space Museum
The Super Guppy's tail is in the background.
A visit to the Pima Air & Space Museum
A visit to the Pima Air & Space Museum
Air Force One.
A visit to the Pima Air & Space Museum
A visit to the Pima Air & Space Museum
A visit to the Pima Air & Space Museum
This Boeing KC-135A Stratotanker is better known as the "Vomit Comet." This one flew from 1963-2004.
A visit to the Pima Air & Space Museum
This Boeing KC-135A Stratotanker is better known as the "Vomit Comet." This one flew from 1963-2004.
A visit to the Pima Air & Space Museum
A closer look telling what happens on the "Vomit Comet."
A visit to the Pima Air & Space Museum
TWA, Trans-World Airlines, is a thing of the past.
A visit to the Pima Air & Space Museum
This diorama depicts a mission to Berlin March 8, 1944. The idea was formulated by Robert W. Waltz; Mission research/selection by John Warner. Design, integration and basic construction by Andrew Anzanos and Dewayne Bennett. Painting by Robert Johnson, aircraft artist - Tupac. B-17 model moldings by John Nitka. Model painting by Roy Fitzgerald. The diorama was funded by the 390th Bomb Group Veterans Association.
A visit to the Pima Air & Space Museum
The Boeing B-17, a high-flying, long-range bomber.
A visit to the Pima Air & Space Museum
Information on the B-17.
A visit to the Pima Air & Space Museum
Information on the B-17.
A visit to the Pima Air & Space Museum
The placard reads: This bicycle was used at the 390th Bomb Group Airfield in England during WWII.
A visit to the Pima Air & Space Museum
The Boeing B-17, a high-flying, long-range bomber.
A visit to the Pima Air & Space Museum
The following models depict the United States Army Air Forces Station 153 at Framlingham, East Suffolk, England, and the 390th Bomb Group.
A visit to the Pima Air & Space Museum
A visit to the Pima Air & Space Museum
A visit to the Pima Air & Space Museum
Framlingham Castle, Suffolk, England.
A visit to the Pima Air & Space Museum
A depiction of the interior of the B-17 in action.
A visit to the Pima Air & Space Museum
A depiction of the interior of the B-17 in action.
A visit to the Pima Air & Space Museum
A gunner was placed in the back end of the B-17. There was also one underneath.
A visit to the Pima Air & Space Museum
A visit to the Pima Air & Space Museum
This flight jacket made the feelings of the Allied forces quite clear. It depicts Hitler running in fear of Allied bombs.
A visit to the Pima Air & Space Museum
A visit to the Pima Air & Space Museum
The 390th Bomb Group's mission statistics.
A visit to the Pima Air & Space Museum
A visit to the Pima Air & Space Museum
Part of the space exhibits.
A visit to the Pima Air & Space Museum
Part of the space exhibits.
A visit to the Pima Air & Space Museum
First manned lunar roving vehicle.
A visit to the Pima Air & Space Museum
The Saturn V rocket, which was created to deliver American astronauts to the Moon.
A visit to the Pima Air & Space Museum
Mars Polar Lander
A visit to the Pima Air & Space Museum
Part of the space exhibits.
A visit to the Pima Air & Space Museum
Phoenix Mars Lander
A visit to the Pima Air & Space Museum
Historic exhibits in the space gallery.
A visit to the Pima Air & Space Museum
Historic exhibits in the space gallery.
A visit to the Pima Air & Space Museum
The Tucson Ring Meteorite
A visit to the Pima Air & Space Museum
A visit to the Pima Air & Space Museum
Prototypes. Far left: Lockheed Martin X-33: Single-stage-to-orbit demonstrator; second from left: Lockheed Venture Star: a viable shuttle replacement; center: Boeing X-37, re-entry testbed; second from right: Boeing X-40A model space plane; far right: Orbital Sciences X-34, Key technologies demonstrator; top: Scaled Composites X-38, a crew return vehicle.
A visit to the Pima Air & Space Museum
The Martin Marietta X-24, lifting bodies prototype.
A visit to the Pima Air & Space Museum
Left: The Bell X-1: Supersonic streamlining. Center: The Bell X-2: Swept wings and Mach 1 speed. Right: The Douglas D-558-1 Skystreak transonic speed.
A visit to the Pima Air & Space Museum
The International Space Station.
A visit to the Pima Air & Space Museum
A visit to the Pima Air & Space Museum
A visit to the Pima Air & Space Museum
Outside the museum: Snoopy, the aviator who was the nemesis of the Red Baron, celebrates Christmas.
Contact reporter Gloria Knott at gknott@tucson.com or 573-4235. On Twitter: @gloriaeknott
Gloria Knott
#ThisIsTucson Editor
