MATADOR RESTORATION PROJECT

Upon deactivation of the USAF Tactical Missile School located at Orlando AFB, Florida, the TM-61 Matador surface-to-surface guided missile (serial number 2885) was relocated to the "Rocket Garden" at the Air Force Space and Missile Museum in October 1966. The Matador airframe was originally displayed in front of the headquarters building of the 4504th Missile Training Wing and was transferred to the Museum by the Redistribution and Marketing Branch of Orlando AFB.

The contract for restoration of the Matador was awarded to Guard-Lee, Inc. of Apopka, Florida. It remained on display in the "Rocket Garden" exhibit area of the Museum until it was removed for refurbishment on 10 March 2004. Restoration was completed at Guard Lee's facility in Apopka and the Matador returned to Cape Canaveral AFS on 16 December 2004.