The pride of the National Malt in Washington, D.C., for many aviators, Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum opened its doors in 1976 with dramatic halls filled with aircraft spanning the breadth of aviation history. However, the building's stone facade—though stunning—demanded a makeover, and its interior fittings needed an overhaul as well. Museum staff have been working throughout 2019 to carefully lower, relocate and renovate dozens of priceless artifacts, including an Eastern Airlines Douglas DC-3, Amelia Earhart's Lockheed Vega and this Boeing 247-D within the "America by Air" gallery. Many have moved over to the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, for further restoration, permanent display or storage. When the halls reopen, new features such as the "We All Fly" exhibition—where Sean D Tucker's Oracle Challenger III will hang—will fill those hallowed spaces for aviation pilgrims to enjoy for years to come.
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