The exact owner of this yard is not know at present but there are indications to it being owned by a concern called the Wiggins Group. For an unknown reason twelve of these helicopters returned to AMARC in October 2004 and were reallocated with new PCN codes. A complete summary of the helicopters can be seen below.

Sikorsky H-53 Summary

Three interesting additions that arrived between 2000 and 2001 are Sikorsky CH-37C Mojave 145873, Douglas C-82A 44-23033 and C-133B 59-0531. These aircraft were previously sitting in open storage at Tucson International Airport and were probably moved here due to the construction of a new building. The C-133 now, unfortunately, only consists on several large segments of fuselage, the other two are whole and located near the fence next to Kolb Road.

Below are some pictures of these aircraft while they were at Tucson IAP.

Since the last AMARC inventory update many of the Beoing C-137's (707 and 720) that were being stripped of spares in AMARC area 22 have been cut into sections and moved to this yard. Here they will be melted down into ingots and sold on for recycling. The north side of the yard has been reorganised to accomodate these new residents and as a result aircraft previously hidden may now be visible. On the other hand the large fuselage sections may block views of previously identifiable airframes.

The owner of Western International, John Gasho, SR. has many years experience of working with aircraft and was inducted into the Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame during 2004 for his contribution to the aviation community.

Western International's yard covers an area of 18.8 acres and stores a large number of historic aircraft for their owners. The largest of these are a number of Douglas DC-7's which belong to a freight company based in Alaska. Also notable are a number of Lockheed P-2 Neptunes and a more moden Boeing T-43. Owing to the number of airframes which are worked on by this company there is always something new and interesting to be seen here.

Western International have impressive facilities which includes a large hangar and their own propellor shop. Western International have restored numerous aircraft in their time and have specialist knowlegde of the Grumman HU-16 Albatross as well as many other types. One other side to Western's business is providing a unique back drop which is used as a set for film companies. For this reason the yard is not kept to it's tidiest as these companies prefer it that way.

de Havilland C-7 Caribou

Lockheed P-2 Neptune

At the end of 2001 or beginning of 2002 a number of aircraft belonging to SAM were moved from the adjoining Allied across to the other side of East Drexel to a small compound adjoining the UAC yard. For the purposes of this web site it is referred to as SAM 'Compound B'. This compound is believed to be run by Chuck Wooten's and so the aircraft contained within it are listed under this yard. An aerial view of this new yard can be seen on the right. The three wingless Nomads, which are not listed on this site are N421NE, N4812C and N4817E.

Back to Allied Aircraft

Back to Jack's Government Surplus

Jack's Government Surplus has a small premises split over 2 locations. The storage yard was seperate from the main office and contains the majority of the helicopters, with only one or two examples in the yard attached to the office.

Jack's Government Surplus is located on E.Cindrich Road, which is a portion of a road which leads between the Pima Air & Space Museum (the road exits onto Valencia just opposite the West side of the museum) and the large powerstation which sits on South Alvernon Way. This road zig-zags through many car scrapyards and past the road leading to DMI Aviation. If you travel from the Pima Air & Space Museum end, the storage yard can be found on the left about half a mile past Jack's main office which is located on the right hand side of the road.

Many of the H-34's were in poor condition after being in storage for such a long time, many no longer had visible markings making it extremely difficult to identity them. Some examples in the listings on this web site could only be identified using the faded MASDC inventory numbers or manufacturers id plates. To add to the problems the helicopters were closley packed into the yard making it difficult to see what was in there even if you are given permission to have a look around. From the outside the yard, at ground level, very few helicopters could be seen.

Over the years only a few of the helicopters appear to have been sold, including 2 delivered to a paint ball adventure centre called Command Post at Maricopa, Phoenix, AZ. Pictures of these aircraft can be seen on their web site., they were ....

In December 2010 the whole of Jack's helicopter stock was advertised as being for sale and any that were not sold were to be scrapped. An advert on the Barnstormers web site read ...

SIKORSKY • AVAILABLE FOR SALE OR FOR PART OUT • 114 (that's not a misprint) Sikorsky H-34 S-58 airframes full of parts. Parts, airframes or entire lot. No Engines, records on most. LOCATED in TUCSON. Lost lease on lot. All must go by February 28, 2011. Will assist in loading. Custom Goose neck trailer available for sale that will haul 2 at once behind a heavy pickup. 9 more and more parts in Everett WA. 1 of the 9 in restricted and is close to flying. 1 complete but needs airframe repair. Scrap man offered 1000 each but I hate to see them scrapped •

It is understood that by September 2011 the helicopters were disposed of with most being shredded on site, although a few with some noteworthy service history were saved including UH-34Ds 148115 and 150255. 150255 went to the Wings and Rotors Museum, French Valley airport, Murrieta, CA. where it has been restored.

Google Earth does show six H-34 still stored in the yard. They are sitting at the very back behind the many Government surplus vehicles that now take the helicopters place. The serials of these remaining (if indeed they still remain) is not known.

Jack's Government Surplus - H-34 Listing