Wed, Aug 27, 2003
California Science Center to Show 2-Seat A-12 Blackbird
Tomorrow
California Science Center CEO and President Jeff Rudolph has
announced that a unique A-12 Blackbird spy plane (the CIA version
of the U.S. Air Force SR-71 Blackbird) will be installed on
Thursday, August 28, atop a newly-constructed subterranean parking
structure set to open in December. The A-12, known for traveling
much faster than the speed of sound, is fabricated entirely of
titanium.
Unique, even among Blackbirds...
This particular aircraft is the only A-12 trainer ever
constructed. It has also flown more flights and spent more hours in
the air than any other A-12. The Blackbird exhibit installation
heralds the upcoming California Science Center "Centennial of
Flight Festival" celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Wright
Brothers historic flight at Kitty Hawk.
Exhibit to span most of flight's history
The festival, which takes place November 15 and 16, will feature
a fully restored flying replica of the Wright Brothers' 1902
glider, interactive exhibits, storytelling, hands-on workshops and
presentations. From the Wright Glider to the supersonic A-12
Blackbird, visitors will see the progress humans have made in
aviation and learn some of the challenges faced in designing air
and spacecraft.
Classic large-format films shown in the Science Center IMAX
Theater, such as To FLY, Silent Sky and crowd-favorite
Space Station 3D, will take audiences up into the
wild-blue yonder. In addition, the Microsoft(TM) 1903 Wright
Flyer Simulator will be on hand, allowing guests a virtual
experience of the thrill and excitement of the Wright Brothers
historic flight. Another special highlight will include a military
flyover along with flyovers of selected historic aircraft.
The arrival of the A-12 last week was enthusiastically followed
by Blackbird buffs. The A-12 was assembled on-site to prepare it
for installation on three pylons. It marks the latest addition to
the Science Center's singular collection of planes and spacecraft,
most of which are housed in or near the Science Center's Air &
Space Gallery. "We are pleased to provide this A-12 exhibit as an
example of the incredible science and technology that has taken
place in the arena of air and space since the Wright Brother's
successful flight a century ago," said CEO Jeff Rudolph.
FMI: www.californiasciencecenter.org
[There's a cool time-lapse video of the assembly of the A-12 there,
too --ed.]
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