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Author
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Topic: Dulles Day (Pictures inside!)
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 10782
From: Houston, TX, USA
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted September 21, 2002 06:15 PM
   
Today I attended the "Dulles Day Family Festival and Plane Pull 2002" at Dulles Airport in Washington, DC. For those not familiar, the event is organized to raise money for the Special Olympics by having sponsored teams try to pull a FedEx Boeing 727. The quickest to pull the 145,000-lb. machine 12 feet wins.The National Air and Space Museum uses this opportunity to open the two temporary hangars at the airport to show-off artifacts including the Space Shuttle Enterprise and SR-71 Blackbird # 972. This year, the Air and Space Museum was also able to show (from a distance) the new Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center building which is now under construction. I took the opportunity to snap off some pictures, a few of which I have shared below:       
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cms
Member Posts: 41
From: Dayton, OH
Registered: Jun 2002
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posted September 21, 2002 09:57 PM
Excellent Posting Robert! Looks like a very interesting facility. I'll bet it was an amazing experience. Although more Air than Space, if you are ever in the this hemisphere  , I highly recommend the Air Force Museum at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. As if being one of (if not) the biggest air museums in the world wasn't enough, they are building an enormous third hangar that will showcase the only static display model of the B-2. Please look me up if you ever come by, I would gladly give you a guided tour! My son and I have spent many hours roaming through the building. My best to you. Chris
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Werb
Member Posts: 300
From: Anchorage, Alaska U.S.A.
Registered: May 2001
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posted September 21, 2002 10:01 PM
Thanks for sharing the pic Robert! Sounds like you had a great time! BTW........ what was the fastest time for pulling that bird?
Just curious.Mike
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tncmaxq
Member Posts: 160
From: New Haven, CT USA
Registered: Oct 2001
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posted September 23, 2002 09:33 AM
Great pictures. I look forward to seeing Enterprise when the Air and Space annex opens. Looks like it is in pretty rough shape now though. Are they going to refurbish it? When will that work begin?IP: Logged |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 10782
From: Houston, TX, USA
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted September 23, 2002 09:46 AM
Mike -- I'm embarrassed to say, but beyond watching one team out of simple curiosity, I was only there to see the Enterprise (even the Apollo CM was a surprise). I spent all my time out in the hanger -- in fact, it was hard to drag me away. (How so I desired to cross the barriers and get myself up into the cockpit...) So unfortunately, I don't know the fastest time (or for that matter, if anyone succeeded). I suppose results will be posted to: planepull.com Tom -- I asked about refurbishing and the reply was surprising. Enterprise may not necessarily be available when the new annex opens in December 2003. The docent answering questions said that they weren't sure the McDonnell Space Hall would be completed in time, and if it was, where/when the restoration of Enterprise would take place. I'm not sure how much restoration is needed; but it does need a good cleaning. I wonder if the Smithsonian might be interested in a dedicated team of weekend volunteers to come in and give the bird a bath? [This message has been edited by Robert Pearlman (edited September 23, 2002).] IP: Logged |
Paul
Member Posts: 201
From: Duluth,Ga.
Registered: Aug 2002
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posted September 23, 2002 10:28 AM
Let's go, Robert!
I've got my brushes ready, a BIG bucket full
of hot soapy water, and a HUGE chamois
cloth!!
Paul  IP: Logged |
Rodina
Member Posts: 815
From: Pleasant Hill, CA
Registered: Oct 2001
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posted September 23, 2002 11:21 AM
This may be a figment of purest imagination, but I seem to recall reading/hearing/ESP'ing or something that while Enterprise will go into the new facility for now, NASA has promised the Smithsonian the Columbia when it is finally retired and that it will go into the new facility and Enterprise will be moved elsewhere.Can anyone disabuse me of this notion? [This message has been edited by Rodina (edited September 23, 2002).] IP: Logged |
nasamad
Member Posts: 1468
From: Essex, UK
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted September 23, 2002 12:25 PM
I think it may be because Enterprise is still occasionally raided for parts by NASA.
Not for flight use but more for strength tests etc. I suppose to see how the metal I bearing up over the years.Adam IP: Logged |
lunarrv15
Member Posts: 1105
From: Cincinnati, Ohio, Hamilton
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted September 23, 2002 01:17 PM
when was Enterprise retired? how many shuttles are active now?IP: Logged |
Gordon Reade
Member Posts: 293
From: USA
Registered: Nov 2002
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posted December 01, 2002 06:40 PM
There are now four active shuttles; Atlantis, Columbia, Discovery and Endeavour.Too bad there isn't a Beagle. We would then have shuttles whos names start with A, B, C, D and E. All of them named for sailing ships of discovery. But I'm getting off topic and the religious people would never stand for it! Enterprise was used in the the approch and landing tests but never flew in orbit. It was retired more then 15 years ago. The NASM always has first call on anything NASA discards. In other words when ever NASA desides to get rid of something The Air and Space Museum gets to say, "We want it." or We'll pass." before anyone else. You can bet they'll want Columbia but she may not be retired for another 15 years or so. [This message has been edited by Gordon Reade (edited December 01, 2002).] IP: Logged |
Philip
Member Posts: 3220
From: Brussels, BELGIUM
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted December 02, 2002 12:31 PM
When I visited the NASM in Washington DC - August 2000 ... They had computer drawings and already planned to put the "larger pieces" at the new location ( Enterprise + SR-71 Blackbird + B-29 Enola Gay + etc ... )
Great location also easy to get over there for us Europeans !
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NC Apollo Fan
Member Posts: 239
From: Belmont, NC USA
Registered: Jul 2000
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posted December 02, 2002 02:11 PM
Speaking of great ships of discovery, and specifically Endeavor - it is my understanding that one of the missions carried a piece of wood from the Endeavor's hull into space. Is this correct?What a thrill Cook would have had to know that 200 years later a portion of his ship would orbit above the very coastlines that they had mapped! Jonathan IP: Logged |
Gordon Reade
Member Posts: 293
From: USA
Registered: Nov 2002
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posted December 03, 2002 07:45 PM
I don't think Capt. Cook would have believed it. If you were in his postion would you?IP: Logged |
