Milestones in Flight

Milestones in Flight, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

So much history in just one photo. From left to right are:

Charles Lindberg's "The Spirit of St. Louis" which was the first aircraft to fly solo from New York to Paris.

Scaled Composites "Space Ship One" which is a rocket powered aircraft that made the first privately funded space flight.

Bell Aircraft's X-1 rocket plane in which US Air Force pilot Charles "Chuck" Yeager first exceeded the speed of sound on October 14, 1947.

Natural History Museum - Washington DC

Natural History Museum - Washington DC, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

The central rotunda of the Smithsonian Natural History Museum in Washington DC.

B-29 Enola Gay

B-29 Enola Gay, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

This aircraft dropped the first of two atomic bombs that were used against the Empire of Japan and is credited with helping to end World War II. The bomb from this aircraft was dropped on the City of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. The Japanese government unconditionally surrendered 8 days later. Between 90,000 to 140,000 people are estimated to have been killed in the aftermath of the Hiroshima attack.

Hallway

Hallway, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

Brightly lit hallway leading to the gift shop in the Smithsonian Natural History Museum in Washington DC.

A-12 Spyplane Panorama

A-12 Spyplane Panorama, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

I couldn't stop taking pictures of this aircraft. I don't know if it's the shape and size that attracts me or if it's because I have read so much about it and appreciate it for the amazing thing that it is.

The prototype first flew in April of 1962 yet it still holds several world records for speed and altitude. Everything about this aircraft was revolutionary. Flying at more than 2,000 mph and at altitudes as high as 90,000 ft, its pilots could see the curvature of the earth and out-run missiles launched at it. It's cameras had incredible resolution.

Built almost entirely of titanium to endure the heat of friction generated at Mach 3+ speeds, parts of the aircrafts skin would reach 1,200 degrees. It's twin engines spat out white-hot 3,400 degree exhaust plumes into the super cold air 17 miles above the earth's surface. This unprecedented propulsive power sped the Blackbird at an unbelievable two-thirds of a mile a second.

This was the first stealthy aircraft ever built. It's radar cross section was 100 times smaller than the US Navy's F-14 Tomcat fighter built a decade later.

Taper Sky Court

Taper Sky Court, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

The Taper Sky Court soars above the third floor of the California Science Center. With over 265,000 square feet of event and interactive exhibit space, this is a wonderful place to visit.

Location

Location, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

Gallery about the evolution of the telescope.
Huntington Library - San Marino, California

RA-5C Vigilante

RA-5C Vigilante, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

Vietnam era reconnaissance aircraft