Natonal Air and Space Museum Washington D.C.

[Andrew Borgogna]

I know this is not about model airplanes, but I visited the museum yesterday while visiting Washington.  This is the big one outside of D. C. not the one on the mall.  I have never seen such a collection of airplanes in one building in my life, I won't try to describe what I saw except to say it was breath taking.  One plane I will tell you about is in the Vietnam era collection.  It is a F-105 Thunderchief, the description said it was from the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing stationed at Korat RTAFB in 1967.  This made every nerve on my body stand up, I was station at Korat in 1967 and no doubt saw this very plane fly of and return from combat.  It was like seeing an old friend, and the old friend looked really good.

Anyway if you have the chance, go see it.  You won't be disappointed.
Andy Borgogna

[Joe Gilbert]

AFIRM

[Robertc]

I just got back last month from my visit.  The part of the Air and Space you're talking about is the Udvar-Hazy Center
near Dulles Airport.  There is a shuttle going to and from Dulles to the museum for around fifty cents each way.
The museum is full of planes that use to be stored at Silver Hill in Maryland.  In my opinion, this place
is far better than the Air and Space on the Mall.

[Scott Richlen]

NVCL has done a bunch of demos and other activities at the Udvar-Hazy Center (National Air&Space Museum out at Dulles) it really is a great place.

Something you all should know about the museum on the mall:  It has an extensive library of airplane books and magazines.  This includes a lot of old model airplane magazines going back to the 30s.  The last time I went, it was on the top floor and not open to the public except for research.  So, if you have been trying to research a rare I-beam stunter - this might be the place to go.  But make sure you call ahead to find out what the requirements are for entrance to the library.

And, by the way, if you are in the DC area - remember that NVCL has a very nice flying field just off I-95 and we are there almost every Saturday (weather permitting.)  Come fly with us!

Scott

[George]

I was not aware that there were two of them, but I was at the "Other" one on the 17th. I enjoyed seeing the old early planes. I was not aware that some were so large. There was a small room set up to display things that a young boy in the thirties might have to build model airplanes...no CA...

The WW2 airplanes were of particular interest to me. There is a P-51 (or F-51), a P-40, and a BF-109 (ME-109). There was a very interesting video made by a WW2 Metal of Honor winning ACE.

By all means, see it if you have the opportunity.

George

[Dennis Leonhardi]

Udvar-Hazy is definitely one of those 'don't miss" stops - for all ages!


Dennis
 

[Bill Heher]

My  1st visit to the facility at Dulles was about 4 yrs ago, there seemed like a lot of planes, but I could tell from the amount of space remaining there were going to be more. Well I've been back 2 more times since then and there are lots more than I ever thought would fit, and they still bring in new ones.

The DO-335 Arrow (push-me / pulla- you) is amazing large for a fighter. You get an appreciation for how big a B-29 is when you see the Enola Gay how many planes they park around / under it. There is the original Boeing 707-80, I think they should have hung it inverted in honor of the famous "Barrel Roll". So much to see, make sure you have spare batteries and media for your camera.

The space wing off the back of the main gallery is also amazing. They have the Enterprise Shuttle that did the drop test / atmospheric flight / landing tests before they ever launched one into orbit. When I was there after the Discovery tragedy, they had some wing leading edge panel removed, later when I went back they were back on- but you could see where they patched the damage from the impact testing they were used for in the investigation.

Compare the Shuttle to the Apollo capsule and you have to admire the guys who would stuff themselves into something the size a VW bug and go for a 1/2 million mile cruise to the moon and back.

Or look at a Gemini capsule and try to imagine spending almost 2 week in a Miata orbiting the earth. It has been reported that the astronauts smelled so bad after they were picked up the helo crews were tempted to dunk them in the ocean for a quick rinse!

Oh yeah - and hanging from the ceiling is the Mustang that I will paint my modified Twiststang to look like- there are enough shiny silver and camo painted ones around.

[Will Davis]

Both museums are great to see, I was a the Mall for the One Nation  Labor Rally at the Washington Monument  a couple weeks ago ,We walked past the Museum and did not have time to go in , A tought pill to swallow fo a airplane and History buff .

Will

[afml]

Was just there Monday!
675 pics later.....
I'm still "fly'n high"!

On the way home, we stopped at Cass Scenic Railway and even got a cab ride in #4.
A three truck Shay.
SUPER TRIP!

"Tight Lines!"

Wes