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[music]
>> KIRSTEN: Hi, I'm Kirsten.
>> GLORIA: And I'm Gloria. We'd like to welcome
you to the Smithsonian Institution National
Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy
Center in Chantilly, Virginia.
>> KIRSTEN: Let's just call it THE UDVAR-HAZY CENTER.
>> V.O. GLORIA: It was opened in 2003 as a
companion facility to the Air and Space Museum
on the National Mall in Washington DC. The
Udvar-Hazy Center holds more than 290 large
air and space artifacts that just don't fit
anywhere else.
>> KIRSTEN: We'll explore the museum and see
what your day might be like. We'll also give
you a few tips to help you make the most of
your visit.
GLORIA: You're welcome to take photographs,
and to use video cameras so that might help
you to remember some of the cool artifacts
you're going to see!
KIRSTEN: After your visit we hope
you'll leave with a better understanding of
how different both aircraft and spacecraft
can be, and what it takes to get them into
the air.
GLORIA: And maybe to space as well.
>> KIRSTEN: Let's go inside.
>> SECURITY OFFICER: Please all visitors with
bags take them to the left side for inspection.
If you have no bags you can continue through
on the right.
GLORIA: All bags are checked for security
reasons so it's best to avoid bringing your
backpack. You can then FAST TRACK your entrance
into the museum.
KIRSTEN: While you're here you'll
spend time in the classrooms and also on the
museum floor.
GLORIA: But don't worry, you're sure
to have a fun time in these classrooms
*** UNSER: And you have to make a heat
shield that will survive 400 degrees of temperature.
KIRSTEN: This is a REALLY BIG museum!
GLORIA: The BOEING AVIATION HANGAR
is over ten stories high and packed with many
famous planes, both large and small. Fifteen
of them are unique; the very last to be found
anywhere in the world and every artifact you
see is either a prototype or the real thing.
>> KIRSTEN: Although you'll see plenty of
big planes there are also many smaller ones
such as a PITTS SPECIAL BIPLANE known as LITTLE
STINKER. It's up there, hanging from the ceiling.
You're going to need to keep your eyes peeled
at this museum!
GLORIA: LITTLE STINKER was flown by
Aerobatic pilot Betty Skelton. She made her
first solo flight when she was only twelve
years old and was the first female Aerobatic
Champion and also the first woman to drive
a jet car over 300 miles per hour.
>> KIRSTEN: There are three levels for you
to explore here, crammed with everything from
miniature models used in films, to the largest
commercial airplanes, so it's a really good
idea to wear your most comfortable shoes.
You'll be doing a lot of walking.
>> GLORIA: And even though it's really tempting,
please don't use any wheeled shoes in the
museum.
>> KIRSTEN: You may find it best to dress
in layers, as the museum is air-conditioned.
>> GLORIA: Let's go check out some of the
cool things you're going to see during your
KIRSTEN: The BOEING AVIATION HANGAR
is divided into 10 sections You'll have plenty
to see and do. As in any museum, it's important
not to touch the artifacts, unless you are
supposed to. Sweat and oils, even from the
cleanest of hands, will damage exhibits over
time.
GLORIA: Our docents, or tour guides,
are specially trained to lead groups through
the museum and can answer your questions.
>> DOCENT: This is the first commercial airplane.
The Wrights had to come up with a different
way to make it bank, and they did it by what's
called WING WARPING. The entire wing is twisting.
KIRSTEN: I definitely wouldn't want
to be on a plane that uses WING WARPING!
GLORIA: The LOCKHEED SR-71 BLACKBIRD
was the fastest jet-propelled aircraft ever
built. It flew faster than a speeding bullet.
>> DOCENT 2: This airplane right here flew
from Los Angeles to Washington in an hour
and four minutes.
>> STUDENTS: Wow!
>> DOCENT 2: And that is really fast.
GLORIA: Some of you had a longer bus
ride here than the time it took for this plane
to cross the country!
KIRSTEN: The museum also has many
displays of smaller artifacts, which you shouldn't
miss, like these.
>> KIRSTEN: I wonder if my mom or dad, ever
had one of those?
GLORIA: Well it looks more like your
granddad might have had one! If you're interested
in aviation toys you might want to check out
the gift shop, but it's best to let either
your teacher, or your chaperone know if you
are going to do a little shopping.
KIRSTEN: And please be careful not
to run through the aisles of the gift shop.
>> GLORIA: So what do you think we should
see next?
>> KIRSTEN: Well another part of the Udvar-Hazy
Center is the JAMES S. MCDONNELL SPACE HANGAR.
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KIRSTEN: The largest exhibit in this
hangar is the SPACE SHUTTLE ENTERPRISE.
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>> DOCENT 3: OK does anybody recognize this?
This is the first spaceship, right?
A school bus would fit in this cargo bay; that
is how
big this thing actually is.
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GLORIA: When Apollo astronauts came
back from landing on the Moon people were
really worried that they might bring back
alien diseases.
>> GLORIA: The astronauts had to stay in one
of these trailers, known as a MOBILE QUARANTINE
FACILITY, until doctors were sure that they
were not contaminated. How do I know that?
It says so right here.
KIRSTEN: You'll find information panels
throughout the museum.
>> KIRSTEN:The bad news is that you can't
sit inside the planes, but you can look inside
using these 360-degree photographs which show
the pilot's view of their cockpits.
KIRSTEN: The smallest exhibit you'll
see is ANITA; a spider used in web formation
experiments aboard Skylab.
>> KIRSTEN: Most of the experiments in this
case were designed by students like you.
>> GLORIA: If you have any other questions about
the artifacts, or about flight in general,
there are plenty of people here to talk to
you. So what do you want to do now?
>> KIRSTEN: Well I think we have just enough
time to check out one, last, unique feature
of the museum, THE OBSERVATION TOWER.
>> GLORIA: The Tower is an observation deck
with a 360-degree bird's eye view of Dulles
Airport and the surrounding area. If you are
really lucky, and the wind is blowing from
the right direction, you might be able to
see a plane fly right by you!
>> KIRSTEN: We hope you enjoy your visit to
the Udvar-Hazy Center. Please remember to
wear those comfortable shoes!
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