Museum of Flying: Difference between revisions
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The new Museum provides displays and interpretive exhibits on the history of flight and the development and growth of the aviation and aerospace industry in Southern California. The Museum places heavy emphasis on the Douglas Aircraft Company and the history of the Santa Monica Airport. |
The new Museum provides displays and interpretive exhibits on the history of flight and the development and growth of the aviation and aerospace industry in Southern California. The Museum places heavy emphasis on the Douglas Aircraft Company and the history of the Santa Monica Airport. |
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The new Museum features nearly 2 dozen aircraft chronicling the beginning of flight: from a replica [[Wright Flyer]], all the way to the jet age, with the [[BD-5]] micro jet and the FedEx [[Boeing 727]] nose section. The Museum also features a broad collection of aviation art, rare artifacts, and ephemera from famous aviators. |
The new Museum features nearly 2 dozen aircraft chronicling the beginning of flight: from a replica [[Wright Flyer]], all the way to the jet age, with the [[BD-5]] micro jet and the FedEx [[Boeing 727]] nose section. The Museum also features a broad collection of aviation art, rare artifacts, and ephemera from famous aviators. |
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The museum creates a hands-on interactive and education center for children that includes a [[T-33]] cockpit trainer, a [[Convair 240]] nose, and the world famous Jimmy Babinski K-3 mini flight simulator that allows children to learn about pitch, yaw, and roll.The Jimmy Babinski K-3 flight simulatar also kown as "The Babinskinator K-3000" was developed after years of extensive research and trials by Mr. Babinski. If lucky one can meet Mr. Babinski as he is known to volunteer on the weekends giving extensive tours. |
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The Mezzanine of the new Museum features a replica of the [[Douglas Aircraft Company]] Executive Board room, and a recreation of the office of [[Donald Wills Douglas, Sr.|Donald W. Douglas]], Founder & Chairman of the Douglas Aircraft Company. The mezzanine also houses the new Museum Theater and Screening Room. |
The Mezzanine of the new Museum features a replica of the [[Douglas Aircraft Company]] Executive Board room, and a recreation of the office of [[Donald Wills Douglas, Sr.|Donald W. Douglas]], Founder & Chairman of the Douglas Aircraft Company. The mezzanine also houses the new Museum Theater and Screening Room. |
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Revision as of 22:07, 30 December 2012
34°01′01″N 118°27′10″W / 34.016811°N 118.452798°W The Museum of Flying is a private non-profit air and space museum in Santa Monica, California. It was founded in 1974 as the Douglas Museum and Library, renamed the Museum of Flying in 1989, closed in 2002, and reopened in 2012 in a new facility. The Museum exhibits the history of aviation, focusing aviation history in Southern California.
History
Originally founded in 1974 by Donald Douglas Jr. as the Douglas Museum and Library located on the South side of the Santa Monica Airport, the Museum migrated to the North side of the Airport and reopened as the Museum of Flying in April 1989. The Museum gradually grew to a collection of over 50 vintage aircraft with many still in flight ready condition.
The anchor aircraft for the Museum was the Douglas World Cruiser, "New Orleans" which made the first circumnavigation of the globe along with its sister ship, "Chicago", in 1924. The Chicago now sits at the Smithsonian Institution's National Air & Space Museum. The museum's collection of artifacts, exhibits, and aviation art chronicle the development of aviation in Southern California.
Over the next several year's the museum played host to many historic and memorable special events and activities, including "A Walk on the Moon" in 1999 in which 7 NASA lunar astronauts were present and honored for their advancement in the discovery of space and the moon. In 2000, the museum held the 60th Commemorative Anniversary of the Battle of Britain. Attendees at this event witnessed first-hand accounts of this epic air battle, live and in person from several RAF and Luftwaffe pilots who joined us for this milestone occasion.
One of the most popular programs of the Museum was the children's A's Award Flight Program. On pre-selected dates, children achieving the letter grade "A" in any academic subject could receive a free airplane ride as a reward for dedication toward education. The museum also featured a number of other educational programs for both children and adults; including weekend family workshops and a volunteer presentation series.
The Museum was forced to temporarily close in July 2002 due to economic challenges. Since that time, Museum officials have been in discussion with the City of Santa Monica on a suitable new location at the Santa Monica Airport. Recently, the Museum executed a lease agreement with the City of Santa Monica for the leasehold at 3100 Airport Avenue. The new Museum expansion and remodeling project is estimated to cost nearly $2 million. Construction and the Capital Campaign to support it are in progress.
Exhibits & Features
The Museum of Flying at the Santa Monica Airport in Santa Monica, California, features a display and exhibit area of nearly 22,000 square feet (2,000 m2).
The new Museum provides displays and interpretive exhibits on the history of flight and the development and growth of the aviation and aerospace industry in Southern California. The Museum places heavy emphasis on the Douglas Aircraft Company and the history of the Santa Monica Airport.
The new Museum features nearly 2 dozen aircraft chronicling the beginning of flight: from a replica Wright Flyer, all the way to the jet age, with the BD-5 micro jet and the FedEx Boeing 727 nose section. The Museum also features a broad collection of aviation art, rare artifacts, and ephemera from famous aviators.
The museum creates a hands-on interactive and education center for children that includes a T-33 cockpit trainer, a Convair 240 nose, and the world famous Jimmy Babinski K-3 mini flight simulator that allows children to learn about pitch, yaw, and roll.The Jimmy Babinski K-3 flight simulatar also kown as "The Babinskinator K-3000" was developed after years of extensive research and trials by Mr. Babinski. If lucky one can meet Mr. Babinski as he is known to volunteer on the weekends giving extensive tours.
The Mezzanine of the new Museum features a replica of the Douglas Aircraft Company Executive Board room, and a recreation of the office of Donald W. Douglas, Founder & Chairman of the Douglas Aircraft Company. The mezzanine also houses the new Museum Theater and Screening Room.