Craig Ferris

Review of U.S. Air Force U.S. Air Force

I went to the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum two s...

I went to the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum two summers ago. This was better. Not just the incredible collection of aircraft, but each exhibit provided cool subtext. For example, the WWII area has a life-size diorama showing mannequins dressed as ground crew building a hardened runway. Behind them sits a C-46 with its cargo door open showing a jeep inside. Display panels explain how materials and men were transported across the South Pacific during the war. The USAF has done a great job not just restoring airplanes, but telling the stories of the men who flew them.

The Wright Bros collection was amazing. The WWI aircraft are by far the best I have ever seen. We went on Family Day and there were tons of interactive things like robots that would follow you around.

I will make the trip back someday. One of the volunteers told me they are restoring the Memphis Belle.