Anyone got a PIREP on Seattle's Museum of Flight?

[Jay Honeck]

We're flying to Seattle this weekend aboard the "executive mail tube,"
sadly. Gotta be at my nephew's wedding, and just can't trust that the
weather will cooperate enough for us to fly Atlas over the mountains on a
schedule.

(Although we just had husband & wife guests at the inn who were flying a
gorgeous 1940 Meyers OTW open-cockpit biplane -- at 80 mph -- all the way
from Oregon to Michigan! They landed at KIOW at sunset, after departing
Wyoming at sunrise... Boy, were they COLD and tired!)

We're planning on going to the Museum of Flight on Saturday morning (not too
early...the stag party is the night before!) -- can anyone post a PIREP on
this museum? What's not to miss, what's worth skipping. I expect we'll
have far less than a full day to see it, and I want to make sure to hit the
"high points"....

Also, any unique aviation "stuff" available for sale at the museum? You
know, stuff we can only get there, not at every tent in the Fly Market at
OSH? We're always "on the prowl" for artwork and memorabilia for the
hotel.

Thanks in advance!
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Paul Anton]

The only downside to the Museum is that it would be hard to visit it and
spend less than a day.
They even have a FW 190 "Dora".

I can't comment on souvenirs since I expend considerable effore on keeping
my wife out of such shops. <Grin>

Cheers:

Paul
NC2273H

[Blanche]

The shop is just like every other museum shop. You'll find the
obligatory NASA stuff, Boeing (why am I not surprised), the coffee
table books, etc. No flea market stuff at all.

The cafe is a bit overpriced but not bad.

It's a neat little museum. In particularly the Red Barn - which is
the memorabilia from the early days of Boeing. And the Concorde, which
is surprisingly small and cramped.

We flew in as an Angel Flight - on an Airbus 320 and pulled up into
the parking lot (turn off from the runway). We parked the Airbus
pointing into the big windows less than 100 feet from the building.
Definitely "Airplane!" memory!

Have fun!

[gatt]

A cool museum with a lot of great aircraft and other exhibits including an
SR-71 cockpit that you can sit in. Believe it or not, I actually got out
of it at the end of the day without security being involved. ;>

You could see the whole thing in two or three hours because everything is
located in basically two or three large rooms, all connected. Definately
worth it.

-c

[Jay Honeck]

> The shop is just like every other museum shop. You'll find the
> obligatory NASA stuff, Boeing (why am I not surprised), the coffee
> table books, etc. No flea market stuff at all.

Hmmm... Boeing stuff?

Suppose there's a source of real, authentic Boeing memorabilia for a
possible Boeing Suite?
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Neil Gould]

Hi Jay,

Recently, Jay Honeck > posted:
>
> We're planning on going to the Museum of Flight on Saturday morning
> (not too early...the stag party is the night before!) -- can anyone
> post a PIREP on this museum? What's not to miss, what's worth
> skipping. I expect we'll have far less than a full day to see it,
> and I want to make sure to hit the "high points"....
>
I visited the museum about 3 years ago, and found it to be interesting.
Most of the aircraft were in one large indoor area on two levels and there
are a few out on the tarmac. I thought it was a bit "thin" compared to,
for example Wright Patterson or the Smithsonian, but that may have changed
since my visit. I don't think you'll have much difficulty in seeing it all
in around 4 hours.

> Also, any unique aviation "stuff" available for sale at the museum?
> You know, stuff we can only get there, not at every tent in the Fly
> Market at OSH? We're always "on the prowl" for artwork and
> memorabilia for the hotel.
>
Sorry, can't say what "stuff" might be unique to that museum. But, take a
camera with you!

Regards,

Neil

[Don Tuite]

On Wed, 18 May 2005 20:01:08 GMT, "Jay Honeck"
> wrote:

>> The shop is just like every other museum shop. You'll find the
>> obligatory NASA stuff, Boeing (why am I not surprised), the coffee
>> table books, etc. No flea market stuff at all.
>
>Hmmm... Boeing stuff?
>
>Suppose there's a source of real, authentic Boeing memorabilia for a
>possible Boeing Suite?

The Boeing country store used to be over in Kent. Is it still there?

Don

[AES]

In article <8aNie.4976$WG.2421@attbi_s22>,
"Jay Honeck" > wrote:

> > The shop is just like every other museum shop. You'll find the
> > obligatory NASA stuff, Boeing (why am I not surprised), the coffee
> > table books, etc. No flea market stuff at all.
>
> Hmmm... Boeing stuff?
>
> Suppose there's a source of real, authentic Boeing memorabilia for a
> possible Boeing Suite?

There _used_ to be a Boeing surplus store in Seattle that supposedly had
a lot of interesting stuff -- I think I read on this NG once long ago
about someone obtaining a whole cockpit (or cockpit dummy mockup?) for
scrap value and making a kids' playhouse out of it.

Whether it still exists or not, don't know.

[Bob Gardner]

Things have changed since Neil Gould's visit; the museum is continually
improving. The most notable change is the acquisition of the Champlin
Fighter Museum from Falcon Field in Mesa, AZ.

Not knowing whether you intended to park your plane near the museum I tried
to get some information....after fighting the telephone tree I was switched
to Security, and got one of those "Sorry we missed you..." messages.

Talked to a museum docent today (flew as a B29 crewmember over Japan) and he
suggested that you park in the lot south of the museum, go to the fighter
display first, then to the Red Barn, then where your interests take you.
There are displays across Marginal Way from the Museum...I haven't visited
any of them yet.

The Boeing Surplus store won't score you any memorabilia, just worn-out
office equipment and various kinds of hardware. If you want Boeing stuff,
the best source is The Boeing Store (duh) at 6th and Park in Renton.

Being an airplane person, as opposed to a space person, I like the MofF
better than the Air and Space Museum on the Mall in DC...it leans heavily on
space with a nod to airplanes. Haven't been to Wright-Patterson yet.

There is an admission fee at the MofF.

Bob Gardner

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:K%Hie.4147$796.1868@attbi_s21...
> We're flying to Seattle this weekend aboard the "executive mail tube,"
> sadly. Gotta be at my nephew's wedding, and just can't trust that the
> weather will cooperate enough for us to fly Atlas over the mountains on a
> schedule.
>
> (Although we just had husband & wife guests at the inn who were flying a
> gorgeous 1940 Meyers OTW open-cockpit biplane -- at 80 mph -- all the way
> from Oregon to Michigan! They landed at KIOW at sunset, after departing
> Wyoming at sunrise... Boy, were they COLD and tired!)
>
> We're planning on going to the Museum of Flight on Saturday morning (not
> too early...the stag party is the night before!) -- can anyone post a
> PIREP on this museum? What's not to miss, what's worth skipping. I
> expect we'll have far less than a full day to see it, and I want to make
> sure to hit the "high points"....
>
> Also, any unique aviation "stuff" available for sale at the museum? You
> know, stuff we can only get there, not at every tent in the Fly Market at
> OSH? We're always "on the prowl" for artwork and memorabilia for the
> hotel.
>
> Thanks in advance!
> --
> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"
>

[Peter Duniho]

"Bob Gardner" > wrote in message
...
> There is an admission fee at the MofF.

Though, not on the first Thursday of each month. Plan your visit right, and
no fee. :)

[Bob Gardner]

Yeah...but he had already said that Saturday was the day.

Bob

"Peter Duniho" > wrote in message
...
> "Bob Gardner" > wrote in message
> ...
>> There is an admission fee at the MofF.
>
> Though, not on the first Thursday of each month. Plan your visit right,
> and no fee. :)
>

[Peter Duniho]

"Bob Gardner" > wrote in message
...
> Yeah...but he had already said that Saturday was the day.

True. I simply point it out for others who may be reading this thread for
the same information the original poster asked for.

[Cub Driver]

I lectured there one time but don't remember a whole lot about the
museum. What I really enjoyed was the Aircar at SeaTac airport. It was
maintained there by the museum people, I think.

I like those grace notes in airports. First time I landed at Denver
International, I remarked to somebody that what I had always enjoyed
about Stapleton was the Jenny trainer hanging overhead. He said that
the Jenny had made the move to DIA. Sure enough, it's there at the
convergence of the concourses, so I can say hello to it every year on
my way to Aspen.


-- all the best, Dan Ford

email (put Cubdriver in subject line)

Warbird's Forum: www.warbirdforum.com
Piper Cub Forum: www.pipercubforum.com
the blog: www.danford.net
In Search of Lost Time: www.readingproust.com

[Margy]

Jay Honeck wrote:
>>The shop is just like every other museum shop. You'll find the
>>obligatory NASA stuff, Boeing (why am I not surprised), the coffee
>>table books, etc. No flea market stuff at all.
>
>
> Hmmm... Boeing stuff?
>
> Suppose there's a source of real, authentic Boeing memorabilia for a
> possible Boeing Suite?
We've got cool Boeing models (including the 787) at the museum in
addition to a panel of the fuselage which is rather cool. I'm sure
someone at Boeing would be able to help you out. You have to find your
local community relations person.

Margy

[Margy]

Bob Gardner wrote:
> Things have changed since Neil Gould's visit; the museum is continually
> improving. The most notable change is the acquisition of the Champlin
> Fighter Museum from Falcon Field in Mesa, AZ.
>
> Not knowing whether you intended to park your plane near the museum I tried
> to get some information....after fighting the telephone tree I was switched
> to Security, and got one of those "Sorry we missed you..." messages.
>
> Talked to a museum docent today (flew as a B29 crewmember over Japan) and he
> suggested that you park in the lot south of the museum, go to the fighter
> display first, then to the Red Barn, then where your interests take you.
> There are displays across Marginal Way from the Museum...I haven't visited
> any of them yet.
>
> The Boeing Surplus store won't score you any memorabilia, just worn-out
> office equipment and various kinds of hardware. If you want Boeing stuff,
> the best source is The Boeing Store (duh) at 6th and Park in Renton.
>
> Being an airplane person, as opposed to a space person, I like the MofF
> better than the Air and Space Museum on the Mall in DC...it leans heavily on
> space with a nod to airplanes. Haven't been to Wright-Patterson yet.

Bob, I would suggest a visit to "The Other Air and Space" i.e. The
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center of the National Air and Space Museum, near
Dulles airport. It's LOTs of airplanes (many one of a kind) that Air
and Space has had tucked away for years. No, you can't fly into Dulles
and taxi down, but it's still worth the trip.

Margy
>
> There is an admission fee at the MofF.
>
> Bob Gardner
>
> "Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
> news:K%Hie.4147$796.1868@attbi_s21...
>
>>We're flying to Seattle this weekend aboard the "executive mail tube,"
>>sadly. Gotta be at my nephew's wedding, and just can't trust that the
>>weather will cooperate enough for us to fly Atlas over the mountains on a
>>schedule.
>>
>>(Although we just had husband & wife guests at the inn who were flying a
>>gorgeous 1940 Meyers OTW open-cockpit biplane -- at 80 mph -- all the way
>>from Oregon to Michigan! They landed at KIOW at sunset, after departing
>>Wyoming at sunrise... Boy, were they COLD and tired!)
>>
>>We're planning on going to the Museum of Flight on Saturday morning (not
>>too early...the stag party is the night before!) -- can anyone post a
>>PIREP on this museum? What's not to miss, what's worth skipping. I
>>expect we'll have far less than a full day to see it, and I want to make
>>sure to hit the "high points"....
>>
>>Also, any unique aviation "stuff" available for sale at the museum? You
>>know, stuff we can only get there, not at every tent in the Fly Market at
>>OSH? We're always "on the prowl" for artwork and memorabilia for the
>>hotel.
>>
>>Thanks in advance!
>>--
>>Jay Honeck
>>Iowa City, IA
>>Pathfinder N56993
>>www.AlexisParkInn.com
>>"Your Aviation Destination"
>>
>
>
>

[Len]

Hi Jay-

If you are interested in warbirds, I'd highly recommend the Personal
Courage wing. Lots of interesting WW1 and WW2 aircraft, stories and sounds.

The whole museum will take several hours to go through, depending on
your interest level. The more you read, the longer it takes, and it is
worth it! :)

They also have several aircraft across the street that are open for
display-- a Presidential plane and a Concorde. They also have the first
747, an early (if not the first) 737 and 727.

They are in the process of getting a rare DC-2 from Long Beach. It will
be quite an undertaking to get it up here- something like $150K just to
get the engines overhauled to fly it here for restoration.

I haven't spent much time in their gift shop, but I hear it is pretty good.

Also, you picked a really good weekend. They are having the cascade
warbird fly-in. check out their website at: www.museumofflight.org

If you are up for a walk (or short drive), Boeing has one of it's
corporate stores up the road. Head north about 2 miles, it is located in
front of their delivery/flight test center. They sell Boeing pens,
clothing, posters, etc. I'm not sure if they are open on Saturday though.

Have fun-

Len

PP-S/MEL KBFI



Jay Honeck wrote:
> We're flying to Seattle this weekend aboard the "executive mail tube,"
> sadly. Gotta be at my nephew's wedding, and just can't trust that the
> weather will cooperate enough for us to fly Atlas over the mountains on a
> schedule.
>
> (Although we just had husband & wife guests at the inn who were flying a
> gorgeous 1940 Meyers OTW open-cockpit biplane -- at 80 mph -- all the way
> from Oregon to Michigan! They landed at KIOW at sunset, after departing
> Wyoming at sunrise... Boy, were they COLD and tired!)
>
> We're planning on going to the Museum of Flight on Saturday morning (not too
> early...the stag party is the night before!) -- can anyone post a PIREP on
> this museum? What's not to miss, what's worth skipping. I expect we'll
> have far less than a full day to see it, and I want to make sure to hit the
> "high points"....
>
> Also, any unique aviation "stuff" available for sale at the museum? You
> know, stuff we can only get there, not at every tent in the Fly Market at
> OSH? We're always "on the prowl" for artwork and memorabilia for the
> hotel.
>
> Thanks in advance!

[ram]

There is also a Boeing Store north of the Museum on E. Marginal. No reason
to go over the Renton. Have been doing some work at Boeing the last couple
of weeks. Drive by the Museum every day, but have not had a chance to stop
in yet. Did stop in at the Boeing Store yesterday. Typical clothing,
trinkets, toys and, of course, model planes. All over priced. But, of
course, I did make a purchase and will probably go back. Doing work for
Boeing, I feel like my wife would feel working for Hershey.


"Bob Gardner" > wrote in message
...
> Things have changed since Neil Gould's visit; the museum is continually
> improving. The most notable change is the acquisition of the Champlin
> Fighter Museum from Falcon Field in Mesa, AZ.
>
> Not knowing whether you intended to park your plane near the museum I
> tried to get some information....after fighting the telephone tree I was
> switched to Security, and got one of those "Sorry we missed you..."
> messages.
>
> Talked to a museum docent today (flew as a B29 crewmember over Japan) and
> he suggested that you park in the lot south of the museum, go to the
> fighter display first, then to the Red Barn, then where your interests
> take you. There are displays across Marginal Way from the Museum...I
> haven't visited any of them yet.
>
> The Boeing Surplus store won't score you any memorabilia, just worn-out
> office equipment and various kinds of hardware. If you want Boeing stuff,
> the best source is The Boeing Store (duh) at 6th and Park in Renton.
>
> Being an airplane person, as opposed to a space person, I like the MofF
> better than the Air and Space Museum on the Mall in DC...it leans heavily
> on space with a nod to airplanes. Haven't been to Wright-Patterson yet.
>
> There is an admission fee at the MofF.
>
> Bob Gardner
>
> "Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
> news:K%Hie.4147$796.1868@attbi_s21...
>> We're flying to Seattle this weekend aboard the "executive mail tube,"
>> sadly. Gotta be at my nephew's wedding, and just can't trust that the
>> weather will cooperate enough for us to fly Atlas over the mountains on a
>> schedule.
>>
>> (Although we just had husband & wife guests at the inn who were flying a
>> gorgeous 1940 Meyers OTW open-cockpit biplane -- at 80 mph -- all the way
>> from Oregon to Michigan! They landed at KIOW at sunset, after departing
>> Wyoming at sunrise... Boy, were they COLD and tired!)
>>
>> We're planning on going to the Museum of Flight on Saturday morning (not
>> too early...the stag party is the night before!) -- can anyone post a
>> PIREP on this museum? What's not to miss, what's worth skipping. I
>> expect we'll have far less than a full day to see it, and I want to make
>> sure to hit the "high points"....
>>
>> Also, any unique aviation "stuff" available for sale at the museum? You
>> know, stuff we can only get there, not at every tent in the Fly Market at
>> OSH? We're always "on the prowl" for artwork and memorabilia for the
>> hotel.
>>
>> Thanks in advance!
>> --
>> Jay Honeck
>> Iowa City, IA
>> Pathfinder N56993
>> www.AlexisParkInn.com
>> "Your Aviation Destination"
>>
>
>