Smithsonian Air & Space Museums
Discussion
Next stop for me in the States was Washington DC and an opportunity to visit the Smithsonian A&S Museums in both DC and a little up the road outside Dulles Airport. On a positive note both Museums are full of some incredible exhibits and I would highly recommend a visit to both for that reason alone.
Unfortunately with it being the summer holidays both museums were full of groups of kids who for the most part seemed disinterested in the exhibits and more interested in generally just loitering around. Another negative for me was once again both museums were somewhat dark internally, and unfortunately tripods and monopods aren't allowed inside which makes getting good photographs even more difficult.
Here's a small selection of my photos from both museums, DC first and then the Dulles Annexe. Comments very welcome.
Dulles
Thank you for looking.
Unfortunately with it being the summer holidays both museums were full of groups of kids who for the most part seemed disinterested in the exhibits and more interested in generally just loitering around. Another negative for me was once again both museums were somewhat dark internally, and unfortunately tripods and monopods aren't allowed inside which makes getting good photographs even more difficult.
Here's a small selection of my photos from both museums, DC first and then the Dulles Annexe. Comments very welcome.
Dulles
Thank you for looking.
I visited the Smithsonian in 1984. There have obviously been some changes since then although some of the photos you took are almost identical to the ones I took 26 years ago.
The Udvar-Hezy centre didn't exist back then, of course. Most of the aircraft that are now on display there were either in store at the Silver Hill facility or scattered around other parts of the US.
The Udvar-Hezy centre didn't exist back then, of course. Most of the aircraft that are now on display there were either in store at the Silver Hill facility or scattered around other parts of the US.
Thank you so much for posting these. We have a trip to Washington planned for next December purely to go visit the Smithsonian for my 40th birthday, and best of all it is SWMBO's idea! Not bad at all considering we went to Florida last year for the sole purpose of visiting KSC. She said it was all worthwhile when she saw tears well up in my eyes as I saw the Saturn V. Hopefully going in the middle of winter might make it nice and quiet. Have you got any hints or suggestions about visiting?
Eric Mc said:
I visited the Smithsonian in 1984. There have obviously been some changes since then although some of the photos you took are almost identical to the ones I took 26 years ago.
The Udvar-Hezy centre didn't exist back then, of course. Most of the aircraft that are now on display there were either in store at the Silver Hill facility or scattered around other parts of the US.
Not wishing to make you feel old Eric, but this bit made me smile as that was a year before I was even born! It's interesting to know things have stayed similar in the main building though. The Udvar-Hezy centre didn't exist back then, of course. Most of the aircraft that are now on display there were either in store at the Silver Hill facility or scattered around other parts of the US.
youngsod said:
Thank you so much for posting these. We have a trip to Washington planned for next December purely to go visit the Smithsonian for my 40th birthday, and best of all it is SWMBO's idea! Not bad at all considering we went to Florida last year for the sole purpose of visiting KSC. She said it was all worthwhile when she saw tears well up in my eyes as I saw the Saturn V. Hopefully going in the middle of winter might make it nice and quiet. Have you got any hints or suggestions about visiting?
That's a brilliant birthday present! I'd probably say get there as early as you can, firstly just in case it does get busy it would give you an opportunity to wander around without too many other people, and secondly the more time you can spend there the better as there is so much to see. They do airport style security checks when you go in as well so if there's a lot of people that can delay entry a bit too. Gift shop is pretty expensive, to be expected, but they do have a lot of books in particular so if that's your thing take plenty of spending money! If you can make it to the Udvar-Hazy centre I'd definitely recommend you do so, it's only around an hour or so from Washington and as you can see it too has some great exhibits on display.Edited by blueedge on Wednesday 21st July 11:00
The Shuttle is absolutely enormous - could not believe the size of it when I saw it.
Compared to the dustbin that the Apollo/Orion capsule, wedged in like a can of sardines, of the Russian ones (seen at Star City - you have to fold up like an act from Cirque De Soliel) I will take the limo/Shuttle to orbit please.
Would be great to have a look around inside it.
Compared to the dustbin that the Apollo/Orion capsule, wedged in like a can of sardines, of the Russian ones (seen at Star City - you have to fold up like an act from Cirque De Soliel) I will take the limo/Shuttle to orbit please.
Would be great to have a look around inside it.
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