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Entrance to the San Diego Air & Space Museum

Entrance to the San Diego Air & Space Museum

 

Art and History of Aviation at the Historic Balboa Park

Any aviation enthusiast must visit the San Diego Air & Space Museum, especially if they follow Charles Lindbergh. His purpose-built Ryan aircraft was built in San Diego and that was where the celebrated aviator left from to achieve his Atlantic-Ocean-crossing, record-setting flight. A flying condition replica sits in the Rotunda entrance.

Start in the historical gallery and read about the brave Montgolfier brothers who first flew lighter-than-air ships made our of paper in 1783. Proceed to the World War I Gallery where SPAD, Nieuport and Fokker aircrafts will stimulate your thinking of what a dogfight might have been like. In the Golden Age of Flight Gallery, you will see more examples of Ryan aircraft, a Gee Bee R-1 reproduction and the popular Robinson R44 helicopter that you can actually sit in. Contained in the World War II Gallery are must-have airplanes: North American P-51D Mustang, Supermarine Spitfire Mk.XVI, Messerschmitt Bf 109G-14 and Mitsubishi A6M 7 Zero-sen. Don’t miss the Blue Angels F/A-18 Hornet or the Apollo Service Module in the Modern Jet & Space Age Gallery; that’s also where the simulators are located. In the center of the circular museum is the Edwin D. McKellar Pavilion of Flight with suspended machines: a Ford 5-A-B Trimotor, McDonnell Douglas F-4J/S Phantom II, and Bell AH-1E Cobra helicopter among others gliding over the V8 fountain. That space is also bookable for private events. Rumor has it that they are building a Hughes H-1 Racer replica in the basement. Partake in the 3D and 4D experience in the Zable Theater and pick up some mementos in the gift shop on the way out. 

For more information visit The San Diego Air & Space Museum
Going to San Diego?


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Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Tuskegee Airmen at Stephen F. Udvar-Hazy Center
Palm Springs Air Museum Photo Gallery


You can click on each photo to enlarge.



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