New Nozzle Display

The museum has just completed a display highlighting one of our most treasured artifacts, Space Shuttle Main Engine Nozzle Unit # 2029. During the operational period of NASA’s STS program between 1981 and 2011, every Space Shuttle was equipped with three RS-25 main rocket engines; each engine had an individual exhaust nozzle. A veteran of five space flights, nozzle #2029 flew on three Endeavor and two Atlantis missions from 1994 through 1996 before being retired to the metallurgy lab where NASA conducted tests on the impact of the burning propellant on the nozzles components.

At sixty-four square feet and over nine feet in height, the newly constructed bright orange display structure securely elevates nozzle #2029 to permit museum patrons an unobstructed view of the complex structure of this engineering masterpiece.  

- MFAM Curator

 During construction

Finished Display

Curator Notes

Welcome to the March Field Air Museum, with over 70 aircraft and more than 30,000 individual artifacts our museum strives to promote an understanding of humanity’s reach for the skies and of March Field’s pivotal role in the development of flight. For nearly 100 years March Field has been home to aviation pioneers, some famous and some anonymous they have left a treasure trove of precious artifacts from aircraft to flight gear, from simulators to uniforms, from photos to personal letters.

I encourage you to come walk in the footsteps of heroes, step through a World War 1 trench line under the shadow of the world’s fastest manned aircraft the SR-71 Blackbird. Walk through a Vietnam era Fire Base surrounded by a brace of helicopters. Stand beneath the wings of a massive B-52 Stratofortress or the museum’s World War 2 combat veterans B-29A “Three Feathers” and B-17G “Starduster.”

Whatever your age or background, the sleek fighters, bombers and cargo aircraft of the MFAM have something to fascinate everyone. With such a rich variety of artifacts, the museum’s exhibits are constantly evolving to bring you new experiences however many times you visit. Enjoy your visit.

J. Houlihan