Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

Located near Dulles International Airport, the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center opened its doors in Dec 2003. Due to the size of the Center the Smithsonian was finally able to exhibit a majority of its large aircraft collection that it simply could not display at the main museum on the National Mall. The over 50,000 square foot primary hanger is show center for the airplane and helicopter collection with the James S. McDonnell Space Hangar holding the space collection, highlighted by currently the Space Shuttle Enterprise, but soon to be replaced by the Discovery. The stellar aircraft collection includes a Lockheed SR-71, Concord, Boeing’s 367-80 and 307 Stratoliner, B-29 Superfortress Enola Gay, Northrop N-1M, and many other rare aircraft.  Additionally the Museum has an observation deck that looks like an aircraft control tower providing a view of Dulles as well as an IMAX theater.  The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center truly lives up to its nickname of America’s Hangar.

Ok, we have one major problem. The Udvar-Hazy Center is my favorite museum and I could easily pick dozens of airplanes, but like all of our reviews on Aeroseums we have to pick 3 so here are three aircraft that you just have to see if you only have a short time to be at the museum and my Personal Gem, ok 2 Personal Gems this time.

Exhibit 1: SR-71 Blackbird

Greeting you upon your entrance to the museum is the sleek Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird. This record setting Blackbird set the Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. speed record flying 2,124MPH and clocking a time of 1 hour, 4 minutes, and 20 seconds between the two cities. Developed by a team of engineers at Lockheed’s Skunk Works, lead by Clarence “Kelly” Johnson, with its first flight in December 22, 1964, the SR-71 was a follow on to the CIA’s A-12. There are a total of twenty remaining SR-71 Blackbirds. Other records achieved by the SR-71: “absolute altitude record” of 85,069 feet, New York to London 1,435.587MPH (need to slow down to refuel) in 1 hour 54 minutes and 56.4 seconds, a flight of 15,000 miles in 10 hrs. 30 min., St. Louis, Missouri to Cincinnati, Ohio 311.4 miles in 8 minutes 32 seconds, and more can be found here.

The positioning of the SR-71 Blackbird in the Udvar-Hazy Center is stunning: not only is it one of the first airplanes you see when you walk in as you look from nose to tail you then see the Space Shuttle Enterprise (soon the be Discovery) between the SR-71’s twin tails.

Note: The SR-71 has long been my favorite airplane ever since I laid eyes on one at the EAA Fly-in (AirVenture) in 1989

Exhibit 2: B-29 Superfortress

One of the most controversial, but historical, aircraft in their collection: the Boeing B-29 Superfortresses, known by its name “Enola Gay”, dropped the first atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima, Japan. The B-29 was first flown September 21, 1942 and entered service in May of 1943. Enola Gay was produced late in the war on May 18, 1945. The Superfortresses was the largest Allied bomber to fly in World War Two and introduced new technologies like pressurization, remote controlled weapon stations and electronic fire control systems.

Exhibit 3: Discovery OV-103

Space Shuttle Discovery replaced the Space Shuttle Enterprise on April 19th 2012. Discovery first took flight took place August 30, 1984 on STS-41-D. Since then Discovery flew a total of 39 times spending one year (365 days) in space, the most of any shuttle. Space Shuttle Discovery also led the return to space missions after both the Space Shuttle Challenger and Space Shuttle Columbia accidents. The Hubble Space Telescope was also launched and serviced, and then Discovery became first shuttle to dock with the International Space Station.

Personal Gem: N-1M Flying Wing

I have always held a place in my heart for flying wings. I am not sure what it is but the N-1M just calls out to me. The N-1M was one of John “Jack” Northrop’s early flying wings. It was a one of a kind proof of concept that later lead to the N-9M and then later the YB-35.

Personal Gem 2: 307 Stratoliner

The Boeing 307 Stratoliner was the first pressurized commercial transport and built in 1938 it was well ahead of its time. It was originally ordered by PanAm and then TWA, but World War Two intervened and with modification the design became the C-75. This airframe was restored and on March 28, 2002 it had an emergency ditching in Elliott Bay near Seattle, Washington due to running out of fuel. It was restored again and flew via EAA AirVenture (where I took this photo) to the Smithsonian where it is today.

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

14390 Air & Space Museum Parkway

Phone: 703-572-4118

10:00 am – 5:30 pm Daily

http://www.nasm.si.edu/museum/udvarhazy/

https://www.facebook.com/udvarhazycenter

https://twitter.com/airandspace

Note: Photo Gallery is in original post.

• Museum
• Education & Camps
• Restoration & Replication

During this blog post we will be covering only the Museum portion of their mission.

Located in Hutchinson, Kansas, the Cosmosphere is a shining star of what you can find in small town America. Outside the Cosmosphere is their rocket garden containing a Titan II rocket used in the Gemini program and a Mercury-Redstone rocket. Greeting you as you walk in is an SR-71, full-scale mock-up of Space Shuttle Endeavour, and T-38 Talon. On the first floor of the museum are a digital 4K dome theater, education and training rooms, the gift shop, and the concession stand.

Uniquely the main museum is located in the lower level of the facility. The exhibits are arranged as a walk through time starting with the V-1 and V-2 German rockets. As World War Two ends the Cold War begins. On the right side of the remainder of the exhibit will be the USA and the left will be the USSR. I find the separation a wonderful idea that allows you to see history unfold at the same pace per side. The

Cosmosphere happens to be home to the largest collection of Soviet space artifacts outside of Russia.

Exhibit 1: SR-71 Blackbird

To get the power of the placement of the SR-71 do this. Walk in through the main entrance, don’t look up right away, turn to the left and walk about 15 feet to the front of the SR-71, now turn around and look up its length. You will see the artistic lines of this unique aircraft. Having so few aircraft in their collection it is logical that such a highflying and speedy aircraft makes the exception.

Flying at an altitude of over 85,000ft and a speed over 3 times the speed of sound, 2,200+ mph, the pilot and reconnaissance system operator both needed to wear space suits in order to operate at these extremes. These space suits where later adapted for use in the Space Shuttle.

Exhibit 2:  Mercury Liberty Bell 7 & Apollo 13 command module Odyssey

This exhibit showcases their ability to do restoration on heavily damaged space artifacts. Liberty Bell 7 was lost after landing in the Pacific July 21, 1961 on the USA’s second space flight when water filled the capsule. July 20, 1999 changed that when Liberty Bell 7 was finally returned to the surface to begin its long restoration. The current state of Liberty Bell 7 is amazing. Sure there is damage but it is stunning how well the restoration went.

Odyssey was considered a failure by NASA and was sent to Europe for drumming up interest in NASA & space, finally ending up at the Musée de l’Air et de l’Espace, in Paris. In 2000 it was returned to the USA and sent for restoration at the SpaceWorks Facility operated by the Cosmosphere. There over 70,000 parts were placed back into Odyssey.

Exhibit 3: Russian Space Artifacts

The quantity of Soviet space artifacts is second to none in the US. Included are the flight-ready back up for the flown Sputnik 1, Vostok and Voskhod space capsules, several early Soviet space suits and many other unique artifacts.

The Vostok series was the direct competitor to the US Mercury program. The design of the two is strikingly different. The Vostok capsules are spherical in shape as well as much larger and heaver. They also contain an ejection seat that the cosmonaut would use due to the system’s lack of ability to set down softly.

The Voskhod 2 space capsule, a competitor to the US Gemini program, is yet larger then the Vostok and retains the spherical shape however does not have the ejection seats for the two occupants due to the mastery of retro rockets in the landing phase.  The first Soviet space walks where made from the Voskhod 2 space capsule using a unique inflatable airlock.

Hidden Gem: SpaceShipOne Simulator

At the end of the museum’s exhibits is located the only SpaceShipOne Simulator built. The computers that powered it are not on display but housed at SpaceWorks. Being a typical Scaled Composite’s design it is basic but functional.  This non-motion simulator was used to test the software that helped run SpaceShipOne and get pilot Peter Siebold and astronauts Mike Melvill and Brian Binnie ready to win the Ansari X Prize.

Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center

1100 North Plum

Hutchinson, Kansas 67501-1418

800-397-0330

Monday – Thursday: 9 am – 6 pm

Friday & Saturday: 9 am – 7 pm

Sunday: Noon – 6 pm

http://cosmo.org/

https://twitter.com/kscosmosphere

https://www.facebook.com/kscosmosphere

As a note the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center a member of the Smithsonian Institution Affiliations Program.

The main draw for this NASA Social was the hand-over of Space Shuttle Discovery to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center and the removal of Space Shuttle Enterprise for its trip to Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York.

Events

We began in the early morning by watching the removal of Space Shuttle Enterprise from the James S. McDonnell Space Hangar. A large quantity of the artifacts that normally were displayed around Enterprise had been moved to the sides of the hangar in order to make room to move the two Shuttles out, then in. This led to a very understandable cluttered look. This was also the first time we could see how many people from the national media outlets would be attending the hand-over. We also got to meet Dr. Valerie Neal, Curator for Space Shuttle Enterprise; she was beyond a wealth of knowledge on all things Enterprise.

After a quick bite to eat and cup of coffee our first round of presenters began. Major General Joe Engle, X-15 Pilot, Shuttle Enterprise Test Pilot, and Commander of the second ever Space Shuttle mission, STS-2 and Discovery on STS-51-I was one of the speakers and what an amazing job he did. We got to ask questions and hear stories about how hard the X-15 was to fly, how close we got to losing the Space Shuttle Enterprise on the first training flight and what it was like during the early days of flying the Shuttle into space.

Outside we went to see the start of the official handover. Before the major event started we got to talk with: NASA Administrator Charles Bolden and Space Shuttle Astronaut John Grunsfeld, Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Dr. John Holdren, and Space Shuttle Astronaut Captain Christopher Ferguson.

Then the official handover ceremony started with the towing of Discovery into a nose-to-nose position with Enterprise. Speeches from dignitaries such as Senator John Glenn, Gen. J. R. “Jack” Dailey, Director of National Air and Space Museum (NASM), Secretary of NASM, Dr. Wayne Clough, and others. After the speeches we got to get closer to the two shuttles, take personal photos and our group photo was taken.

Back inside for a quick lunch then more personal interaction with Stephanie Stilson Space Shuttle retirement manager where we got to hear what it was like to wind down the Shuttle program and get Discovery ready for display. You really could tell she knew an amazing amount about Discovery and really put her heart into the job.

We also got to talk with Gen. J. R. “Jack” Dailey (director of the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum), Astronaut Don Williams, NASA Associate Administrator for Human Exploration and Operations Bill Gerstenmaier, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Associate Director for Collections & Curatorial Affairs Dr. Peter Jakab, NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Public Outreach Alan Ladwig. This simply put was an amazing set of people to talk with.

As we then moved to watch Discovery take its place in America’s Hanagar, we talked with former Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird pilot Phil Soucy in front of the SR-71 Blackbird.

We had to jockey for position with local and national media to get the best views of Discovery as the tug driver did his work along with a team helping make sure Discovery ended up in the right place. Once Discovery was home the NASA Social was official over. We roamed around the museum for about an hour and then headed out with a large group of attendees to invade and take over a large section of a restaurant. I am not sure they were thrilled when we called for a reservation for 40+ people but they did well.

My over-all impression was simply WOW.

What an amazing event to be a part of.

The main draw for this tweet up was the gathering of SR-71 Blackbird crew at the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center where the crews gave talks and hung out under the SR-71 answering questions from the public.

Located in Hutchinson, Kansas the Cosmosphere is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and has three primary missions:

-  Museum

-  Education & Camps

-  Restoration & Replication

The Spytacular Tweetup touched all three areas.

Events:

We first stopped at the airport due to an all night thunderstorm and we knew the airplane we flew down in had a leaky door seal. Sure enough, the carpet was soaked. After cleaning up the airplane and getting it into a hangar, we hung out with some of the SR-71 crew and had a nice chat with the local EAA chapter members. Realizing we were running late, we didn’t wait for the SR-71 pilots to head to the museum; instead, we headed off solo to meet up with the rest of the Tweetup group.

The Tweetup group was already in the white glove tour of the collections department. There, we got to see some items that where anything from space-worn spacesuits to backup suits for many astronauts. We even got to see a precisely machined transfer box used to bring back moon rocks on two Apollo missions. We were also presented with several items recovered from Liberty Bell 7.

After the amazing tour, we headed up to the “Blackbird Reflections Panel” where the audience heard stories from a few SR-71 Pilots, RSOs, and a Crew Chief. The panel was enjoyable and interesting but one RSO went on a to describe a bit too much about his life after the SR. We did get to hear some great stories about what it was like to fly the SR-71 over Cuba, China, North Korea, Vietnam, etc. Additionally, how not only was it used as a spy plane but also used to trigger responses from the adversary to allow other aircraft to gather electronic data and also to send a political message of “we are watching.”

After the round table, we headed to another table: lunch with all of the members SR-71 crew.  Funny enough, I ended up talking a lot more about other aircraft including the F-104 than the SR-71 over lunch.

Following lunch was the viewing of the movie “Air Racers”. Aeroseums happened to be in Reno at the National Championship Air Races while this was being filmed so it was very interesting to see their perspective of the race, the shooting areas, and methods. The main problem I had was the stretching of the movie that was designed for a flat screen but projected onto a dome. It caused some motion sickness in this pilot.

The SpaceWorks Facility tour was our next stop; this is where the Cosmosphere does its restoration of artifacts and production of replicas. This facility restored such artifacts as Apollo 13 and Liberty Bell 7. It was very interesting to see how low-tech and manual most tasks are.

The next hour was a tour of the entire museum by one of the staff members. Having this tour was great because our guides pointed out exhibit pieces that you would normally walk past or may not notice. The layout of the museum was fantastic; I wish more museums would be laid out this way — but more about that in our review of the Cosmosphere.

Wrapping up the day was a meet and greet with a representative from Lockheed who contributed to the SR-71 program in its final days. We compared the SR program at the end to the beginning, and discussed the follow-on Skunkworks programs such as the F-117, at least as much as he could publically talk about. Following that was a BBQ dinner under the SR-71. I cannot think of a better atmosphere than dining under a Blackbird to finish such a great day.

Impression:

This was the first tweetup that the Cosmosphere organized and simply put we could not recommend this event more. If they have a tweetup again we would love to attend. The amount of information we learned and the people we were privileged to meet was fantastic. Being able to have the run of the museum, see the behind the scenes, and interact with the staff and the SR-71 guests was everything and more than I expected.

Meeting Richard Hollowell (CEO) and some of his executive team and conversing about our impressions of the Cosmosphere was great; you could feel the passion he and his team have for this museum and educational center.

Meredith Miller, thanks so much for such great information about the archives and giving us the behind the scenes tour.

Glen Duran who gave us the museum tour and stuck by the group during the entire tweetup, you rocked it, thanks so much.

Most of all Katie Gillmore who helped us with every question we had. You did an outstanding job of coordinating this event.

In 1943, the U.S. Navy leased an airfield built in 1939 from Cape May County.  The 900+ acres that had three runways was called NAS Rio Grande.  NAS Rio Grande was activated on 1 April 1943.  Due to the inability to get telegrams and mail, based on confusion with the more famous Texas town with the same name, two months later the base was recommissioned as Naval Air Station Wildwood.  By the end of 1943, the base had completed the main facility, Hangar No. 1.  From 1943-45, the base acted as a training facility for Helldivers and Avengers. Squadrons of these aircraft would hone their dive & torpedo bombing in the nearby Delaware Bay before they deployed overseas.

The war ended, and on December 1^st 1947, NAS Wildwood was decommissioned and again became Cape May County Airport.  Most of the facilities were sold off. Hangar No. 1 was used but eventually fell into disrepair and was completely abandoned from 1992-1997.  Out of use for several years, Hangar No. 1 was purchased by Dr. Joseph E. Salvatore, M.D. and his wife with the intent of creating a museum that commemorated the men and women who served at NAS Wildwood during the 1943-45 era.  It also would serve as a memorial to the 42 naval aviators who perished while training for war at NAS Wildwood.

Exhibit One: Hangar No. 1

It’s not often I say the most important museum piece is the piece that holds the museum.  In this case it is.  Hangar No. 1’s restoration was the primary objective of the Naval Air Station Wildwood Foundation, when it was purchased in 1997.  The 92,000 square-foot wooden building was rotting and much of it was in serious disrepair.  The telescoping doors wouldn’t open; there was a 50-foot by 100-foot hole in the roof, and most of the 4,440 windows were either cracked, boarded up, or even worse—non-existent.  Eventually, under the guidance of Dr. Salvatore and the NASW Foundation, 1.4 million dollars were raised to repair the building.  The building is now a working hangar as well as the museum. A portion of the hangar is leased to active aircraft. Currently, the hangar is having the main wooden support beams reinforced to continue its structural improvements.  This, and another grant to make the facility ADA-(American with Disabilities Act) compliant, will open up the second floor to visitors.  An accessible second floor will give the Museum the ability to display the officers’ quarters and ready rooms, and with the new elevator being added, the area will be open to everyone. Hangar No. 1 is on both the National Registry of Historic Places as well as the New Jersey Registry of Historic Places.

Exhibit Two:  Something for everyone

The Museum has a diverse collection of aircraft and aviation memorabilia.  Some of the aircraft represent those that flew at NAS Wildwood, and some do not.  The Museum has a TBM-3E Avenger, which is now designated a National Historic Site, one of only seven currently in the United States.  It was built in the General Motors factory in Trenton, New Jersey.   Another TBM is being restored on the other side of the hangar to flight-worthiness.  It has a storied history as a Fire Bomber. Other examples of aircraft that flew from NAS Wildwood are a PT-17 Kaydet and a Vultee SNV Valiant.

If you like helicopters, the Museum has a gaggle.  There is an OH-47, of M*A*S*H fame, a Hiller TH-55 Osage, a Hunter Killer team of a OH-6, an AH-1S, and lastly, not one, but two UH-1s, a UH-1D, and a UH-1B Huey. All of the helicopters are open and you can climb right in.

If you feel the need the need for speed, the Museum’s second centerpiece is a F-14D Tomcat in VF-103 “Jolly Rogers.” It is escorted by a VMFT-401 “Snipers” F-5E Tiger II.  The Museum also has a MiG-15, two T-33s, and an A-4B.  The collection is growing, and during my recent visit, I was informed that an F-16 will be arriving shortly.

In all, there are 26 plus aircraft in Hanger No 1.  There is a large section in tribute to the U.S. Coast Guard. USCG Cape May is one of the largest training bases for the Coasties, and is a short drive away.  A Falcon Cockpit simulator, a Cessna 150 and a HH-52 SeaGuard from the Polar Star, an Icebreaker, surround the exhibit.  Some of the other unique aircraft are a T-28C, a pair of Gyrocopters, and an OE-2 “Bird Dog.”

Hidden Jem: The home front!

The Museum is not just about airplanes.  It tells the story of NAS Wildwood and the surrounding area during the 1943-45 period.   The Museum has a slogan  “Visit 1943!”  As you walk into the Museum, you see exhibits about the music of the period.  There are records and albums, and you can see how the music influenced the war fighters and the war influenced the music.  In the “Ready Room” you can sit in 40’s vintage airliner chairs and watch a video.

Towards the back of the museum is a ready-room that has been transformed into an exhibit showing what Cape May County was like during that War Period.  One wall has letters to and from the Sailors about what life was like at the base.  A replica Coca Cola Soda Fountain is set up with Soda Machines “10 cents a bottle.” On the other side of the room a small, period home is recreated that starts with a door adorned with a Blue Star, showing someone from the household is serving overseas.  Beyond that are the spinet, a RCA Victor Radio and other details like the old Frigidaire “Icebox.” You truly get a feel of the homes of the period.

The Museum is a work in progress. On our last visit, workers were generating sawdust, as they repaired the beams holding the old Hangar No. 1 together.   It is a museum growing and changing for the better.  Both my wife and I make regular visits.  It is a children & family-friendly Museum, with many hands-on experiences.  Also, it’s an active airport still, so the kids can watch the planes come and go.

Across the parking lot in the main terminal is the Flight Deck Diner. Good food, good prices, and lots of talk about airplanes—a great Airplane Geek way to start or end your visit.   For the adults who want a beverage, check out the Cape May Brewing Company on the Airport grounds in one of the old base’s warehouses. On Saturdays, they give tastings and often have a barbeque for sandwiches in the back.  It all makes for a fun day at the airport.

A visit to Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum is a great couple of hours, either as an escape from the beaches or as a destination visit.

Entry is:

Adults: $10.00

Children (3-12): $8.00

Under 3: Free

Active Military (with ID): Free

The hours are:

April 1^st through October 15^th:  Everyday,  9AM to 5PM

October 16th through November 30^th Everyday,  9AM to 4PM

December 1^st through March 31^st  Monday – Friday 9AM to 4PM Closed Saturdays & Sundays.

Closed Major Holidays

Website:  www.usnasw.org

Fantasy of Flight not only lets you climb into a B-17 but weather permitting Kermit Weeks, owner of Fantasy of Flight, takes up one of their rare aircraft for a flight around their facility, exposing you to the sights and sounds of these rare aircraft. Additionally I highly recommend taking the extra tours where you can see the restoration, aircraft maintenance, and back lot areas. If your timing is right you may bump into Kermit Weeks giving talks or telling great stories about the aircraft in his collection.

Exhibit 1: Boeing B-17 Diorama

The last of the immersion environments that you experience before entering the main hanger is that of a Boeing B-17 having maintenance being performed. This diorama allow the guest to walk through the interior of the B-17, experience the cramped quarters, hold a 50 caliber machine gun used for protecting the aircraft in flight and see the cockpit and bomb bay. Outside of the B-17 you can see a technician working on the engine, hear the sounds of the base around you coming from outbuilding and see ground vehicles that would be used on RAF Horham, the base this winter scene depicts.

Exhibit 2: Short Sunderland Flying Boat 

Physically the largest airplane of their collection is also one of the rarest, the last remaining airworthy four engine flying boat. Short Sunderland design started 1933 with the first flight taking place on October 16^th 1937. The model on display at Fantasy of Flight was built in 1944 at the height of World War II. Like a true flying boat this airplane has no landing gear. It can only take off and land on water. The wheels you see on it are for moving the airplane onto land for storage or maintenance but are not suitable for landing. Currently set up for passenger service with relatively modern seating this airplane was originally built for war transport.

Note: I was lucky enough to see the Sunderland flying at EAA AirVenture 1993 when Kermit Weeks flew it to Oshkosh for temporary storage.

Exhibit 3: Gee Bees 

Fantasy of Flight is the home to three great replica Granville Brothers aircraft. Known as Gee Bee each airframe was hand built for air racing with speed in mind and of the 24 total airframes built only two originals are known to exist. The three different models on display are all flyable, Model Y, Model Z and Model R2. The Model Y is a two seat low wing that first flew in 1931. The Model Z is the yellow and black aircraft and also first flew in 1931. The R2 is the widest of the three first flew in 1932.

Hidden Gem: B-26 Marauder

There are only six of the nearly 5,300 made still in existence and this is the last remaining airworthy airframe. First flown in 1940 the B-26 gained a reputation for being an extremely demanding airplane to fly and a high rate of crashes during training led to the song “One a day in Tampa Bay.” Modified and with pilots retrained the B-26 shook this reputation and ended the war with the Army Air Corps lowest loss rate. The B-26 was used primarily in North Africa and the European theaters of operation though it was also used in the Pacific.

Author’s Note: I have to highly recommend this museum. I not only really enjoy the the immersion environments I really believe in Kermit Weeks’ mission to preserve history and  mission to excite the next generation of aviation enthusiasts.

Entry fee: $28.95

Ages 6-12 $14.95

10 am – 5 pm daily

Website: http://www.fantasyofflight.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/fantasyofflight

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fantasyofflight

(863) 984-3500

The DVHAA grew out of the Willow Grove Historical Aircraft Association. In 1972, the association decided they needed to work on restoring a collection of Aircraft that were rusting away in a small viewing area on the 611 highway.  The collection of Aircraft had their beginnings when Lt. Commander David Ascher rescued Axis and Allied aircraft from being scrapped.   Ascher was a man ahead of his time.  While most of those Aircraft are no longer part of the Museum, that doesn’t detract from what is currently there.

In 2001, the DVHAA opened an indoor museum for its then most-prized possession, the two-seat ME-262 B-2a White 35.  White 35 has now been moved to the National Museum of Naval Aviation for permanent display.  However, if it wasn’t for the DVHAA protecting that rare aircraft, fans might not get to see flying ME-262s. White 35 was the template for the replicas that currently cross the skies.  For more about that see The Stormbirds Project.

Exhibit One:  The Hangar

While the 262 is no longer taking center stage, two very interesting aircraft representing the Korean War are.  First is the Lockheed TV-1. The TV-1 BuNo 33824 was one of the U. S. Navy’s first jet aircrafts.  The TV-1 was a P-80C Shooting Star.  DVHAA has restored the TV-1 in USAF FT-824 colours as the Saggin’ Dragon.  Next to the P-80 is an OH-13G “Sioux.” The Bell 47 is painted up as a M*A*S*H* “Hello,” complete with litter patients. The rest of the facility is loaded with items to get your hands on, an F-100D cockpit, as well as a Sea Sprite Cockpit.  Also, there are cases of models representing the aircraft that flew out of the now closed base and its sister, the Naval Air Development Center in Warminster.  Hanging from the ceiling is a scale replica of a Fokker DVIII, which was donated to the Museum in 2008. Another must-see is the history of Pitcairn Field and its famous visitor, Amelia Earhart. The Pitcairn Mailwing and Autogiro put sleepy Hatboro, Pennsylvania, on the map in the 1930s. If you look up above one of the cases, you will see an artifact I am quite fond of.  It’s an aerial view of the Willow Grove Air Reserve Facility.  Why am I partial to it?  It hung in my father’s office for 20+ years.  He was the one who commissioned it.   Ok, truth be told, I am a little biased about this museum: I grew up looking at all the aircraft, see Sitting on the Porch Watching all the planes go by   So now let’s step outside.

Exhibit Two: Outdoor Displays

Once you are done inside, you can step out to see the outside exhibits. The Museum has a good mix of aircraft and rotorcraft.  The aircraft represent those that flew at the base over time.  The Museum does have a P-3B Orion, but that isn’t on display with the collection.  There is the C-1 Trader BuNo 146034.  Based on the Tracker, the aircraft operated out of “the Grove” when her ship, the U.S.S. Independence was being serviced at the Philadelphia Naval Yard. Next to her is an A-4M Skyhawk II in VMA-131 Diamondback markings. 131 was the last squadron to fly the A-4M.  QG01 is painted like her sister, QG00, or “Double Nuts,” who was flown to Cherry Point for display.

In the same field is a North American FJ-4B Fury or “Fury Bravo.” BuNo 143568 Flew at the Grove and was retired in the mid 1960s.  Willow Grove was always a reserve base.  The Fury shows that, with both Marine and Navy titling on the fuselage.

Next to the FJ-4B is a rare F9F-2 Panther. The Panther BuNo 127120 served at NADC before it was stricken in 1962.  It was donated by Aviation Lawyer, Arthur Wolk, in 1987.

Currently, the other side of the Museum grounds feature Rotor Craft.   A UH-1V, a Gulf War Vet, shows how medical evacuation had changed since the Korean War.  From Olive Drab, schemes go to colour.  A UH-34J Seabat is in Orange and Engine Grey. The Seabats served at the Grove in similar schemes.  Lastly, is not only a whirly bird that flew at the Grove, but one that was built just south of the base in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania.  The Piasecki HUP-2 Retriever was one of the Navy’s first Search and Rescue (SAR) helicopters.  The HUP was the predecessor of the CH-46 Sea Knight and the CH-47 Chinook.

Also in the same field is the Museum’s newest acquisition, a F-84F Thunderjet.  The aircraft just has recently been restored in Pennsylvania Air National Guard markings.  Currently, the Museum is also restoring a F8U-1 Crusader, one of only four in the world and the only one on the East Coast to have an F7U-3 Cutlass.

Hidden Gem: YF2Y-1 Sea Dart

The Museum has over time had very RARE aircraft.  Currently the most interesting and rare aircraft is the Convair’s YF2Y-1 Sea Dart, one of five built and four surviving in museums.  The Sea Dart was Convair’s answer to a jet-powered aircraft for the Navy that could be launched from water.  Unlike most Seaplanes, the Sea Dart would accelerate onto skis, which were lowered from the watertight fuselage. One aircraft crashed, killing its pilot during a demonstration of the aircraft for the Navy. The aircraft was woefully underpowered and by the time it first flew on January 14, 1953, the carrier was a more than adequate way to project and recover jet-propelled aircraft.  The Sea Dart to this day is the only Seaplane ever to exceed the Speed of Sound.

Check out this video; note the HUP-2 standing guard.

For a complete list of current and previous aircraft go HERE

While small, the Wings of Freedom Museum is a Museum with a lot of history.  I have a great deal of history with it personally.

If you’re in the Philadelphia Area, it is a must-see.

Entry is Free:  Though the museum suggests a $5.00 donation

The hours are:

Wednesday through Friday:  10:30 AM to 3:00 PM

Saturday & Sunday:  10:30 AM to 4:00 PM

Closed Major Holidays

Website: http://wingsoffreedommuseum.org/

Ok, we have one major problem. The Udvar-Hazy Center is my favorite museum and I could easily pick dozens of airplanes, but like all of our reviews on Aeroseums we have to pick 3 so here are three aircraft that you just have to see if you only have a short time to be at the museum and my Personal Gem, ok 2 Personal Gems this time.

Exhibit 1: SR-71 Blackbird

Greeting you upon your entrance to the museum is the sleek Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird. This record setting Blackbird set the Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. speed record flying 2,124MPH and clocking a time of 1 hour, 4 minutes, and 20 seconds between the two cities. Developed by a team of engineers at Lockheed’s Skunk Works, lead by Clarence “Kelly” Johnson, with its first flight in December 22, 1964, the SR-71 was a follow on to the CIA’s A-12. There are a total of twenty remaining SR-71 Blackbirds. Other records achieved by the SR-71: “absolute altitude record” of 85,069 feet, New York to London 1,435.587MPH (need to slow down to refuel) in 1 hour 54 minutes and 56.4 seconds, a flight of 15,000 miles in 10 hrs. 30 min., St. Louis, Missouri to Cincinnati, Ohio 311.4 miles in 8 minutes 32 seconds, and more can be found here.

The positioning of the SR-71 Blackbird in the Udvar-Hazy Center is stunning: not only is it one of the first airplanes you see when you walk in as you look from nose to tail you then see the Space Shuttle Enterprise (soon the be Discovery) between the SR-71’s twin tails.

Note: The SR-71 has long been my favorite airplane ever since I laid eyes on one at the EAA Fly-in (AirVenture) in 1989.

Exhibit 2: B-29 “Enola Gay”

One of the most controversial, but historical, aircraft in their collection: the Boeing B-29 Superfortresses, known by its name “Enola Gay”, dropped the first atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima, Japan. The B-29 was first flown September 21, 1942 and entered service in May of 1943. Enola Gay was produced late in the war on May 18, 1945. The Superfortresses was the largest Allied bomber to fly in World War Two and introduced new technologies like pressurization, remote controlled weapon stations and electronic fire control systems.

Exhibit 3: Space Shuttle Enterprise

Space Shuttle Enterprise was the first Space Shuttle airframe built that was designed for flight-testing.  Enterprise first flew on the back of a 747 during a captive carry test on February 18, 1977. The Shuttle was later used for ground testing before STS-1 (the first launch of Shuttle Columbia) and then the ground testing at Enterprise at SLC-6 at Vandenberg AFB, the never used shuttle launch facility. After the Challenger disaster there was consideration on pulling Enterprise out of storage and refitting it to be a fully working shuttle but Endeavor was build in its place. After the Space Shuttle Columbia breakup wing parts from Enterprise where removed and used in foam impact testing that proved how the shuttle was damaged. The photo in this review shows parts missing from Enterprise: these were the wing panels used in this testing. Enterprise’s next home will be the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City.

Personal Gem: N-1M

I have always held a place in my heart for flying wings. I am not sure what it is but the N-1M just calls out to me. The N-1M was one of John “Jack” Northrop’s early flying wings. It was a one of a kind proof of concept that later lead to the N-9M and then later the YB-35.

Personal Gem 2: 307 Stratoliner

The Boeing 307 Stratoliner was the first pressurized commercial transport and built in 1938 it was well ahead of its time. It was originally ordered by PanAm and then TWA, but World War Two intervened and with modification the design became the C-75. This airframe was restored and on March 28, 2002 it had an emergency ditching in Elliott Bay near Seattle, Washington due to running out of fuel. It was restored again and flew via EAA AirVenture (where I took this photo) to the Smithsonian where it is today.

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

703-572-4118

Hours: 10:00 am – 5:30 pm
Open every day except December 25.

Admission: Free
$15 per day parking

http://www.nasm.si.edu/udvarhazy/

http://twitter.com/airandspace

http://www.facebook.com/airandspace

Personal Note: It has been a few years since I have had the pleasure of visiting our national museum. It simply is a treasure and if you have the chance to, you just must see this museum.

Exhibit 1: Milestones of Flight

Hanging above you as you walk into the museum’s Mall entrance you are greeted by some of the most significant artifacts in aerospace history.  Aircraft hanging above you include the Bell XP-59A, Bell X-1, North American X-15, “Spirit of St. Louis”, and SpaceShipOne. On the ground spacecraft such as the Mercury “Friendship 7″, Gemini IV, and Apollo 11 Command Module “Columbia” are there for you to walk up next to and peer inside.

Exhibit 2: The Wright Brothers &
The Invention of the Aerial Age

Originally hanging in the Milestones of Flight the 1903 Wright Flyer was moved to an exhibit of its own. The 1903 Wright Flyer is the “first heavier-than-air powered aircraft to make a sustained, controlled flight with a pilot aboard”. Now displayed with a backdrop of the Wright’s bike shop and reproductions of three of the Wright’s earlier gliders.

Exhibit 3: America by Air

What can I say; I am a sucker for a vintage DC-3. The Eastern Airlines DC-3 is on display “flying” in formation along with a rare Boeing 247-D in United Air Lines livery, an American Airlines Ford Tri-Motor, and the small TWA Northrop Alpha. The idea of sitting directly behind the Alpha’s engine in a small enclosed cabin must have been one loud flight.

Hidden Gem: Voyager

On December 14, 1986 Jeana Yeager and Dick Rutan took off from Edwards Air Force Base and did not land until December 23^rd completing the first around the world unrefueled non-stop flight. Hanging in the air above the South Lobby wings outstretched from wall to wall all by itself is Burt Rutan’s Voyager. You can get up close to this piece of history. Even the wing tips are unrepaired from the damage they took on takeoff.

This is the first aviation event that I truly remember. Part of it was the joy of seeing Voyager in person at EAA Oshkosh Fly-In (now AirVenture) in 1987.

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (on the Mall)

(202) 633-2214

Hours: 10:00 am – 5:30 pm
Open every day except December 25.

Admission: Free

http://www.nasm.si.edu/

http://twitter.com/airandspace

http://www.facebook.com/airandspace

Exhibit One: Transportation Gallery’s 727

Located on the Balcony Level the aviation side of the Transportation Gallery is their centerpiece United 727. This airliner was donated to the museum after its retirement from United Airlines. Upon a stunning short field landing at the now closed Meigs Field (CGX) the 727 was put on a barge and prepared for transit and display in the museum. The transport on Lake Shore Drive and locating in the MSI’s parking lot for final disassembly before being permanently located in side the museum is an amazing feat and well documented by their video that is part of the exhibit. A wonderful set of 360 Gigapixel images of the 727 can be seen here. What is really cool about this exhibit is you can enter the 727 where see the cockpit and the rear engine compartment with air stairs.

Exhibit Two: Transportation Gallery

The remainder of the Transportation Gallery includes a Wright Flyer replica along the back wall and a Curtiss JN-4D “Jenny” set flying inverted though the air with a wing walker representing the barnstorming age of aviation. A very rare 1928 Boeing 40B airmail plane, this is in fact only one of the two known remaining airframes of its type. From World War 2 a Supermarine Mark 1A Spitfire up in a climbing attack on their Junkers Ju-87R-2 Tropical Stuka that is set up in a bombing dive. And representing the age of racing is a 1930 Texaco TravelAir Model R. All aircraft can be seeing from not only the Balcony Level but also the second floor. I strongly recommend seen this exhibit from all sides, they really let you get close and the positing of the aircraft is very good allowing clear view of all angels of the airplanes.

Exhibit Three: Henry Crown Space Center

The Henry Crown Space Center’s centerpiece in my opinion is the Apollo 8. This was the first manned spacecraft to leave Earth orbit. Commander Frank Borman, Command Module Pilot James Lovell, and Lunar Module Pilot William Anders became the first humans to leave Earth orbit and see the Earth rise as the sun would but behind the Moon as seen in the photograph know as Earthrise. Nearby is Aurora 7, the fourth US manned mission in the Mercury program completing three orbits and being commanded by Scott Carpenter. Also in the Henry Crown Space Center is an Apollo 11 training mock-up and some hands on exhibits such as controlling a Mars rover and simulated docking of spacecraft.

Personal Gem: U-505

The U-505 exhibit. Ok, while this is not exactly aviation, there are things like wings (diving planes), rudder, and props (screws) on the sub… and aviation assists where used in the capture of this U-Boat… ok that is a stretch. This is an exhibit I could spend all day in. The restoration of the sub compared to how I had seen it last, when it was out side, is remarkable. I was told over a ton of rust was removed from her hull. Make sure you pay the extra bit of money to get the inside tour, you should show up early since this does sell out. The stunning story of the capture, intelligence gains, relocation to Chicago and its preservation make for a stunning tale.

Photo by Ryan Pieratt

Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry

5700 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60637

(773) 684-1414

Daily: 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Open every day except Christmas Day

http://www.msichicago.org/

http://twitter.com/msichicago

http://www.facebook.com/msichicago

As a note the Museum of Science and Industry is part of the ASTC passport program. This allowed me free access with my EAA membership, yet another good reason to look into joining, check to see if a museum near you is part of the ASTC passport program and add that to the reasons to join them.