Museums, museums, museums ... There are "many" to visit in San Diego, 18 in Balboa Park alone. So, I'll give an overview of those we visited, but hold back on the gazillion pictures we took, offering a few highlights and a link to more information, if you need it. We bought an annual pass that allowed us entry to all the museums on "our timeline", rather than a weekday-pass that put constraints on our availability to get to those on our list. This worked out perfectly!
Air and Space Museum
This museum presents wonderful exhibits of aviation history past and present, starting with an early model of the SR-71 stealth spy plane at the entrance.
This was a very interesting museum to visit. There were excellent stories posted on the history of some exhibits, and dioramas on others. Of special interest was one of my favorite airplanes, the Gee Bee Super Sportster, which I saw flown during an exhibition at the now-defunct Reno air races. The design reminds you of a toy you may have owned as a kid. A beautiful example of planes produced from 1932 to 1933. This one looks brand new! Pay attention to where the pilot sits, back by the tail.
Another plane I can never seem to get enough pictures of is the Mustang. I'm currently reading a book by flying Ace, Col. Bud Anderson (To Fly and Fight), of his time in the seat of a P-51 Mustang ... It is a "page turner", and almost like being there without getting shot at! I learned from the book that those bubbles hanging under the wings were "disposable drop tanks", made of light-weight material and holding 108 gallons each, of high-octane aviation fuel.
The drop tanks allowed the P-51 extended range to guard the B-17 and B-29 bombers deep into Germany. Once empty, they would be dropped into the country side (look out below). This allowed pilots to have enough fuel in wing tanks and center tank behind the pilot to dog fight, when necessary, and have enough to get back home to an airfield in England.
A few more pictures, and then I'll close-out the visit to Air & Space.
Yes, that's a PBY Catalina seaplane right above Louise (don't look up, Honey)! One of my Uncles flew in one of these during his service to our Country.
This is an amazing museum with many interactive displays and things to do for youth visitors. I took many pictures, but won't bore you with that ... Instead, here is a link to poke in, with lot's of pictures and explanations of what's available during a visit: https://sandiegoairandspace.org/exhibits/exhibit-galleries
And, stay tuned for more pix ... Next, our trip to the Automotive Museum next door to Air and Space.
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