Saturday, I was off to the Udvar-Hazy Center, where the Smithsonian displays its aviation and space-related pieces which are too large to be accommodated in the Air and Space Museum on the Mall in downtown DC.
It was fascinating to wander amongst all the historical pieces, imagining what life was like "back in the day" when these were the pride of their respective countries.
As you can see from the below, not all the aircraft were instruments of war, though many were... Civil aircraft included, among others, the Boeing 307 below, the Air France Concorde and a Boeing 707, as was a Junkers JU-52/3 trimotor, reportedly the most successful European airliner of its day.
Many folks will recognize this one...the Boeing 307 Stratoliner.
First flown in 1938, the above streamlined Boeing creation was the first airplane with a pressurized cabin. It could transport 33 passengers in comfort (sleeper berths and reclining seats) at 20,000 ft. (above most weather) and maintain a cabin altitude of 8,000 ft. Ten were built, using wings, tail and engines of the B-17C bomber, and this one used to toil for Pan American (in its better days...)
Mignet HM-14 Pou Du Ciel "La Cucaracha" Never heard of it...
Henri Mignet's vision of an airplane that an amateur could build and teach himself to fly led him in 1933 to design the Pou Du Ceil (the Flying Flea.) In an effort to make the aircraft stable, he staggered the wings. The plane enjoyed a period of popularity in England and France, but a series of incidents in 1935 and 1936 permanently blackened its reputation.
This is the first HM.14 made and flown in the US. It was built for Powell Crosby Jr, President of Crosley Radio. It crashed in Miami in 1936, grounding it. Then in 1960 Patrick H. Packard donated it to the Smithsonian, and it was subsequently restored for display.
The Fulton FA-3 Airphibian...never heard of it before, either.
Designed by Robert Fulton, in 1950 it became the first roadable aircraft to be certified by the (then) Civil Aviation Administration. Others had been built, but none were certified. It could fly to an airport, then after disengaging the wing/tail unit and propeller, become a car. While a technical success, the design was sluggish, underpowered, and not marketable. Thus it was not produced or sold. This unit was donated by a former company officer in 1960 and it was restored by Robert Fulton III in 1998.
Above is the Space Shuttle Discovery. It's probably the most popular display there, based on the number of people looking at it the day I visited. And it holds special meaning for me, because we were in Florida and able to watch its first takeoff... Hint: it looks a lot bigger in person than it did on launch day, off in the distance.
Mandy beside the Discovery
I guess I look a tad different nowadays than I did years back. In those days, I didn't have red nails and wasn't wearing makeup, lipstick, a skirt, blouse and women's sandals. The present is much nicer than the past...
The sky got cloudy in the afternoon, on the way out...
Stay tuned for Part 3
The history of aviation is interesting. I have been to the air and space museum on the mall but not out to Udvar-Hazy. You look nice and relaxed and very appropriately dressed for the outing. I am glad that things worked out so nicely for you and Meg.
ReplyDeletePat
Pat,
DeleteThanks for the kind words!
If the truth be known, I actually "waffled" back and forth over "femme" vs "androgynous" for quite a while, as I was planning this excursion. Meg indicated that I'd be comfortable in a skirt. So I put the appropriate outfits in my suitcase, and left all my pants at home so I couldn't chicken out. And I enjoyed the entire experience - ready to do it again!
One thing I did chicken out on...using either the women's - or men's - room There were a number of them scattered around - look for the checkered wall. But the ones I staked out, always were busy. I wasn't willing to take a chance on either, with security always running around.
Wouldn't it have been a strange turn of events to be challenged when using the men's room? I had it happen (by a man) at a hotel rest room a couple of years ago. (And I was in capris, a top and flats, with a purse). My wife was in the women's room at the time, and missed all the excitement. At the time it was not particularly pleasant, but in hindsight, probably pretty benign.
As for Udvar-Hazy, I'd done my homework...they have a family handicapped restroom (one-holer) on site, but away from the others. I used that a couple of times, with no problems. Most people probably don't even realize it exists.
Have fun but be safe!
Mandy