Groundbreaking for Smithsonian's Udvar-Hazy Center Phase II

[Warbirdnerd]

Museum Breaks Ground On Phase Two
By Kara Clark

Board members, staff and invited guests of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center tore down an important wall Wednesday morning.

Those gathered witnessed the breaking down of a wall into a vacant space that will soon house the museum's restoration, preservation and archive operations under one roof. Five separate facilities will be included in the Phase Two development of the five-year-old museum. Among them are the Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar, a large space that will accommodate several aircraft at one time and house a second-floor viewing area so visitors can witness ongoing aircraft restoration and preservation work. Also included in the Phase Two development are a single space, three-and-a-half times larger than what currently is available, for the museum's ample archive collection; the Emil Buehler Conservation Laboratory, which will provide conservators much-needed space to develop and execute specialized preservation strategies for aircraft; and a collections processing unit and collections storage facility.

Museum Director Gen. John Dailey called the Wednesday wall breaking "truly a significant milestone in the history of this museum." Dailey explained that when the museum was being planned, it was originally intended to open with the Phase Two development already completed. Because of insufficient funding, however, the project had to be delayed.

G. Wayne Clough, secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, remarked on the important resource and learning tool the Udvar-Hazy Center provided. Clough noted that the Dulles aviation museum is the second most popular of its kind, second only to the flagship museum in Washington, DC. He said he saw the Phase Two development as a look to the future by providing the younger generation with a view of the past.

"Phase Two is all about the future," Clough said. "We have to build our present legacy and pass that on to the next generation. The future generations will come here and be stunned with what others have done for them. We're inspired to take the next leap into the future."

Found it here:
http://www.leesburg2day.com/articles/20 ... 101508.txt

[mustangdriver]

Glad to see it, good for them.

[APG85]

This is great news. I just wish Paul Garber could be here to see it and I wish phase II would carry his name...

[RMAllnutt]

I was there today, and really enjoyed the presentation, and rather amusing ceremony which followed. The new center should be finished by 2010, which is great news!

Cheers,
Richard

[Steve Nelson]

That's great news!

Hopefully it means that Flak Bait will only suffer the abuse of grubby-handed museum visitors for a couple more years (yeah, I know..I'm a bit overzealous about her.)

SN

[Forgotten Field]

Great to hear. More government money for more things more people won't come to see...

[JDK]

Great to hear. More government money for more things more people won't come to see...

Wow, did you find a hole in your doughnut today?

[warbirddriver]

Great to hear. More government money for more things more people won't come to see...

The guv'ment doesn't pay for this expansion. Donations do; just like they did to build the Hazy center in the first place. Get out your check book and help make it happen.

Glenn

[Rogue]

The guv'ment doesn't pay for this expansion. Donations do; just like they did to build the Hazy center in the first place. Get out your check book and help make it happen.

Glenn

and go see it......I will!

[mustangdriver]

If you think that there is nothing to see at the NASM then there is somthing not right. I don't mean you in particular, just people in general.

Airbus America had made a major donation to help get Phase II at the Museum completed:

http://www.topix.net/content/wapo/2008/ ... -6-million

[warbird1]

Airbus America had made a major donation to help get Phase II at the Museum completed:

http://www.topix.net/content/wapo/2008/ ... -6-million

Does anyone know if Boeing has contributed to this and if so, how much? I find it hard to believe that Boeing would let this opportunity go, if they haven't donated already. Are they okay with America's National Museum having it's IMAX theater named the "Airbus IMAX"?

From the article it states: "Early projects will include work on a Curtiss SB2C-5 Helldiver, a Navy dive bomber of World War II. " Isn't this the Helldiver that was taken back from the Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola? I thought it was already restored. I guess it wasn't, if it is going to be one of the first projects at the new expansion. Anyone shed any light on this?

[Owen Miller]

Yes, it is same bird and yes, it was on display at Pensacola for many
years before NASM reclaimed it and several other birds. I visited
U-H in Oct and looked for it. Not finding it I asked, a list was consulted,
and the answer was that it was in storage awaiting restoration. The
conversation deteriorated from that point. When I caught myself I was
talking to a volunteer who had nothing to do with it I walked away

somewhat embarrased.

My understanding is that it will be redone to represent the Helldiver
Adm Don Engen flew against the Yamato. Engen was a former director
there and they plan a memorial to him.

Does anyone know if Boeing has contributed to this and if so, how much? I find it hard to believe that Boeing would let this opportunity go, if they haven't donated already. Are they okay with America's National Museum having it's IMAX theater named the "Airbus IMAX"?

Boeing made a Larger contribution in 2006 and had a large display hall named for them. Boeing has been a leader in helping to fund both of the museums.

http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=19534

[warbird1]

Does anyone know if Boeing has contributed to this and if so, how much? I find it hard to believe that Boeing would let this opportunity go, if they haven't donated already. Are they okay with America's National Museum having it's IMAX theater named the "Airbus IMAX"?

Boeing made a Larger contribution in 2006 and had a large display hall named for them. Boeing has been a leader in helping to fund both of the museums.

http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=19534

That's good to know! I hadn't heard a lot of publicity about that! I'm glad they donated, especially considering how many Boeing products are at the NASM.