NZFF

Had a Sunday trip to the Smithsonian museum in Washington, and got a few interesting shots to share. Museum is worth a visit if you are in Washington, although the security hassles of getting into the USA are far beyond reason now. Anyway, the photos......

First couple are the cockpit of the DC7:-





and the cockpit of a 747 100 with tape guages:-



and the Airbus A320 simulator (working):-



and finally, somthing with a bit of power, the X-15, which reached 7274 km/h or 6 times the speed of sound. One X-15 reached 266 000 feet:-



Smooth landings.

Nice pics HT , 3 generations of cockpits , the X15 , amazing spaceship and some hairy rides both in the air , landing and ground tests , Scott Crossfield sat inside as one blew up on ground running tests , they put the fire out ... one cooked Scotty .. nah he just climbs out , lucky boy.

Oh ma....I see the commercial airline pert is set up now. When we were there it was a 'work in progress'

Looked so cool....the front of a 747 stuck on the wall, but wasn't open to public.

Got anymore pics?

Thats cool!!! Does this museum have Concorde?

Great shots - I went there when I was about 8, would love to go back, but financial issues aside I really don't think I could be bothered with traveling to the US in the current security climate.

No, no Concorde there. Things about the Wright Brothers of course, but no mention of Richard Pearce in NZ. The museum is half aero, and half space with a section for 5 minute simulator rides (at US $7) and an IMAX cinema. Good thing is that it is in the city centre and surprisingly, is free. The hassles of getting into the US now are unbelievable, including a LONG period of questioning and also the taking of all 10 fingerprints. Auckland Airport will be such a contrast when I get back.

One more photo here:-



smooth landings.

HT , if your going to fly back to Auckland in that , ya better grab your gomer goggles and a flask of coffee and da bacon and egg sammy