406th Fighter Group Permanent Display

Pima Air and Space Museum
Tucson, Arizona

The 406th FG WWII Memorial Association has funded, with the generous help of Maggy Grossetta and the Grossetta family, a project to develop and build a permanent display to reside in Hanger 3 of the Pima Air and Space Museum. The display opened December 19th, 2008.

Project

To create a permanent display depicting the WWII 406th Fighter Group's history in a way that museum guests will find compelling and done to a high standard.

Display Case

The display is housed in a self contained, conservation safe show case of museum quality finished in glass, wood and steel. The interior space is configured with adjustable glass shelves, fixtures and lighted attic. Dimensions fit within the approximately 25 foot by 20 foot floor space allotted.

Location

The display area is located within Hangar 3 of PASM in a way that 1) conforms with other existing displays; 2) though still providing a niche specific to the 406th experience while 3) overall enhancing the quality and aesthetics of the entire Museum.

Display

The display is generally laid out in chronological order starting in the States with training, then sailing overseas, fighting across Europe — ending in Germany with mission accomplished and armistice. This timeline is conceived in a way that allows the viewer to engage at any story point without having to start necessarily at the beginning.