Golden Age of Flight banner
September 2012
Exhibitions

Beech StaggerwingFeatured. Those of you who dream of the exciting days when aviation came of age -- the 1920s and '30s -- would enjoy a visit to the Golden Age of Flight gallery in the Museum in Washington, DC. This period was a time of tremendous advancements and intense interest in aviation. Barnstorming, aerial races, and record-breaking flights captivated the public. Displayed in this gallery are airplanes used for racing, record setting, business travel, and exploration.

 

Shown in our banner is the Northrop 2E Gamma Polar Star, a metal monoplane on skis that was the first aircraft to complete a trans-Antarctic flight. Among the other airplanes on display is the Beech Model 17 Staggerwing, pictured above left. Called the Staggerwing due to the placement of the lower wing ahead of the upper, the Beech Model 17 first flew in 1932 and became popular as a luxury private and business transport. In addition, Staggerwings set many records and won several major air races prior to World War II. The Museum's Staggerwing was delivered late in 1936 to E. E. Aldrin (father of astronaut Buzz Aldrin) of the Standard Oil Development Company, who used it as a high-speed corporate transport.

Feature Story from Air & Space Magazine
Archives' big moveThe Archives' Big Move. Fifty-four truckloads of irreplaceable aviation history make the 35-mile trek to the National Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center.
This Month in Aviation and Space History

Spirit of TexasSeptember 30, 1982. It's been 30 years since the first helicopter circumnavigation of the world ended successfully at Ft. Worth, Texas.  Pilots H. Ross Perot, Jr. and Jay Coburn had taken off on September 1 and flew a modified Bell 206L-1 LongRanger II named Spirit of Texas, which is on display in the Boeing Aviation Hangar at the Udvar-Hazy Center.

Test your Knowledge
Apollo 1 crewName the three astronauts who died tragically of asphyxiation due to a fire in their spacecraft while practicing a countdown on January 27, 1967. Answer
Experimental Spacesuit Ballet
RX-2-A spacesuitYou may enjoy this 2 1/2 minute video featuring footage of NASA mobility tests for early spacesuit designs. Several of these experimental spacesuits are on display at the Udvar-Hazy Center, including the RX-2-A, pictured at left, and AX-2.
Winnie Mae on the Move
Lockheed Vega 5C Winnie MaeThis time lapse video documents the preparation and transport of Wiley Post's Lockheed Vega, Winnie Mae, from the Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia to the Museum in Washington, DC. The airplane will be part of the Time and Navigation exhibition set to open in March 2013.
Free Downloads
Smithsonian Networks America's Hangar Smithsonian Networks is offering free iTunes downloads of several Smithsonian-related shows until October 2. Featured is a highly rated program about the National Air and Space Museum's artifacts called America's Hangar. Check it out while it's still free!
New on the AirSpace Blog

Telstar and the World of 1962, by space history curator Martin Collins

 

Sally Ride (1951-2012), by space history curator Valerie Neal

 

Satisfying Our Curiosity: Mars Science Laboratory and the Quest for the Red Planet, by Jonathan Cohen, intern in the Division of Space History

 

Drive on Curiosity, Drive on!, by space history senior curator Roger Launius

 

Alan G. Poindexter (1961-2012), by space history curator Valerie Neal

Photo Gallery
Curtiss  JennyCurtiss JN-4D Jenny. After being being damaged by visitors while on display in the Museum in Washington, DC, the Curtiss Jenny has now been repaired and placed on display at the Udvar Hazy Center.
Sikorsky JRSSikorsky JRS-1. This aircraft is the only one in the National Air and Space Museum collection that was stationed at Pearl Harbor during the attack on December 7, 1941. In this photo, the wing center section is being installed in the Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar at the Udvar-Hazy Center. The two outboard wing panels were also installed. The two engines are scheduled to be installed next, followed by floats.
Roscoe Turner's Lion Pelt CoatRoscoe Turner's Lion Pelt Coat. This photo shows famed pilot Roscoe Turner's 1930's lion-pelt coat with paw pockets and artificial "eye" buttons, which he accessorized with a walking stick made from the tail (not shown). Turner was a flamboyant barnstorming and air racing pilot in the 1920s and '30s. For a short time beginning in 1930 Turner flew with a pet lion cub named Gilmore. Wonder how Gilmore felt about his pal Roscoe wearing a coat made from one of his brothers! Learn more about the flying duo and see photos in this blog post

For more photos, search through the online collections imagery database

Shop the SmithsonianStore.com
Boeing laptop bagBoeing Laptop Bag. Upgrade the look of your laptop or protect your documents with this vintage-style Boeing Laptop Bag. Inspired by early 20th century mail pouches, this durable yet lightweight case is printed with an airmail stamp (dated 1927) and the classic totem logo of Boeing Airlines. 
Events and Activities
To plan beyond the current month, see the online calendar.
Free Planetarium Show
Under African Skies
Saturday, September 15, various times starting at 10:00 am
At the National Museum of African Art

Family Day

A Century of Women in Aerospace
Saturday, September 15, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm

At the Museum in Washington, DC
The Heritage Family Day series is made possible by the generous support of Northrop Grumman Corporation.
He Overcame More than Gravity: The First African American Marine Aviator
General Frank E. Petersen, USMC (Ret.)
September 27, 8:00 pm
At the Museum in Washington DC
The GE Aviation Lecture series is made possible by the generous support of GE Aviation.
Family Day
Hispanic Heritage Month: Innovators in Air and Space
Saturday, September 29, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
At the Udvar-Hazy Center
The Heritage Family Day series is made possible by the generous support of Northrop Grumman Corporation.

Recurring Activities

 

Summer Concert Series - Extended through end of August

Every Wednesday, 12:30 - 1:30 pm

At the Museum in Washington, DC

Concerts featuring US Air Force band ensembles 

 

Super Science Saturdays

At the Udvar-Hazy Center

Every second Saturday; this month: September 8; Topic: Living and Working in Space 

Demonstrations and hands-on activities related to aviation and space science

This series is made possible by the generous support of FBR.    

 

Public Observatory
At the Museum in Washington, DC
Wednesdays through Saturdays from 1:00 to 3:00 pm, weather permitting

Look through a 16-inch telescope to discover the wonders of the Universe. 

 

Saturday Star Parties 

At Sky Meadows State Park near Paris, Virginia

Once a month; various times and dates through November; this month: September 15, 7:00 - 10:00 pm

View the night sky with astronomers to guide you.

 

"Flights of Fancy" Stories for Children
At the Museum in Washington, DC
Variable schedule
A flight- or space-related story and art activity recommended for ages 3-8
This event is made possible by the generous support of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. 

 

Ask an Expert Lectures
Both locations
Wednesday, Noon, at the Museum in Washington, DC
Second and fourth Thursdays, 12:30, at the Udvar-Hazy Center
Short talks about objects in the Museum and aviation- and space-related topics

 

Author Book Signings
Both locations
Variable schedule
Buy a book, have it autographed, and take home a great memento or gift.

Imax Movies
Both locations
Variable titles, schedules, and prices
Experience the thrill of watching movies on a giant screen with surround-sound.

Albert Einstein Planetarium
At the Museum in Washington, DC
Variable titles and schedules; some shows are free
Zoom through the cosmos enveloped in moving images and spine-tingling sound.

One Museum, Two Locations
 

National Mall buildingMuseum in Washington, D.C.
6th & Independence, S.W.
Washington, DC

Udvar-Hazy CenterSteven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
14390 Air and Space Museum Pkwy.
Chantilly, Virginia

 

 
Normal hours: every day from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. except December 25. 
Extended summer hours:
Museum in Washington, DC -- through September 3 open until 7:30 pm
Udvar-Hazy Center -- through September 3 open until 6:30 pm

Admission is free. Udvar-Hazy Center parking: $15, free after 4:00 p.m.
For information call (202) 633-1000.

   Connect with Us  Facebook l Flickr l Twitter l YouTube l AirSpace blog

Smithsonian Privacy Policy