After years in the making, the Pacific Aviation Museum opens its doors in two weeks. The museum will be chock full of goodies for history and World War II bufffs. If you like the National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C., you shouldn't miss this one. Among the collections - a rare Mitsubishi/Nakajima A6M2-21 Zero warplane, the only one on permanent display in the country (that I am aware of). The Japanese Navy used this type of Zero during the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 and to battle Pappy Boyington’s “Black Sheep Squadron” during the war. The Zero, which will be on permanent display at the museum, is one of a number of nifty vintage planes that the PAM will put out for public oohs-and-ahhs. The museum, which consists of three large hangars of aviation goodness, is located on Ford Island on base at Pearl Harbor on the island of Oahu. Hawaii is hallowed ground for World War II buffs and this addition will make a nice package with Pearl Harbor, the submarine U.S. Bowfin, and the battleship. U.S.S. Missouri.

Pacific Aviation Museum / 808) 836-7747

—Alex, 11/27/06