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11th April 2012, 12:38 PM
#21
Re: Boeing History of flight museum
Here are two more pictures I took. One an angle shot of the blackbird and the last of the P51D. Lighting is harsh but they allow you to use a tripod in almost all areas. Go early before the crowds. Covers all flight history.

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12th April 2012, 04:07 AM
#22
Re: Boeing History of flight museum
I paid a visit to the museum today. It was my first time and I must say I was duly impressed. I must go back soon, as I only had time to do maybe half of the museum. They let you take your camera and tripod anywhere. However, they ask you to not use a flash around the sensitive documents. The Blackbird is amazing. One of the docents walked up to me and sort of "forced" the story of the plane on to me as I was trying to take photographs. I obliged... and listened, as he seemed overly eager to tell me all about it. From what I remember, here's what I learned...
* This blackbird is a MD A-12. The "M" is for Mother and the "D" is for Daughter. The Daughter, in this case, is the drone attached to the rear. MD does not stand for McDonnell Douglas.
* During one flight, the drone went haywire immediately upon release and slammed into the plane. Both pilots ejected over "the ocean" (he did not say which ocean) but, sadly, one of the pilots drowned.
* The Boeing Museum of Flight received this Blackbird in 1986. The drone did not come for another five years, as it was still classified!
* The drone would drop its payload of photos with a parachute attached and a plane would swoop in to catch that payload in the air
Here's a slightly different angle taken today...
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12th April 2012, 04:41 AM
#23
Re: Boeing History of flight museum
Colin,
You should come visit me in the San Diego Area. We have a plethora of aircraft and military oriented museums in this area:
San Diego Air and Space Museum
http://www.sandiegoairandspace.org/
Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Flying Leatherneck Museum
http://www.flyingleathernecks.org/pages/museum/18
USS Midway Museum
http://www.midway.org/
March Field Air Museum
http://www.marchfield.org/
Planes of Fame Air Museum
http://planesoffame.org/
That is enough to keep anyone busy for quite a while but, if you get bored you can visit other military oriented museums such as:
Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego Museum
http://www.mcrdmuseumhistoricalsociety.org/
Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton Mechanized Museum
http://www.themech.org/
Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton World War II and Korea LVT Museum
http://www.woofsd.com/Camp-Pendleton-Museums.html
California State Mitary Museum, Naval Amphibious Base, Coronado, CA
http://www.militarymuseum.org/NABCoronado.html
I am seriously considering doing an article on these museums for a travel magazine. There are enough U.S. Military Veterans who might be interested.
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12th April 2012, 01:48 PM
#24
Re: Boeing History of flight museum
Darren, nice shot and history of the blackbird. As you said this is a multiday trip to due the museum justice.
Looks like San Diego is another must visit.
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26th April 2012, 07:12 PM
#25
Re: Boeing History of flight museum
I just ran across this article today about the drone on top of the A-12 (SR-71). I thought I would pass it along.
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