Tuesday, July 2, 1 p.m.
Lecture
“Pardo’s Push” by Bob Pardo
Flying over North Vietnam on March 10, 1967, just north of Hanoi, U.S. Air Force pilot Bob Pardo and his wingman’s F-4 fighters were damaged by anti-aircraft fire during an attack on a steel mill. Pardo used his aircraft to actually push his wingman’s aircraft–which had lost all power–88 miles out of enemy territory. Both crews then ejected and were safely recovered. On July 2 at 2 p.m., Pardo will recall this amazing flight, and other missions as a fighter pilot during the Vietnam War.
Thursday, July 4, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Presentation
“The Twenty-Seven Flags” Independence Day Celebration
Members of Skyway Post 9430 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars honor the Nation’s birthday with a salute to the American flag-all 27 versions that have officially represented the United States over the years. From the first 13-star flag authorized by Congress in 1777 to today’s 50-star flag, the presentation of each iteration is accompanied with the story of its symbolism in this moving and educational program for all ages. The program will be repeated several times.
Thursday, July 4, 5 to 9 p.m.
Wells Fargo Free First Thursday
Once a month, the Museum stays open late – and admission is free! Enjoy the Museum’s Great Gallery, Charles Simonyi Space Gallery, Airpark, and more from 5 to 9 p.m., courtesy of Wells Fargo. Museum Store and Wings Café will also remain open for the extended hours on this night.
Saturday, July 6, 2 p.m.
3D Theater Grand Opening – Movies with Fighter Pilot Guest Host
“Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag”
The William M. Allen Theater re-opens after extensive renovations and technical upgrades. The first movie in the theater will be “Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag,” an exciting documentary adventure featuring U.S. Air Force Capt. John “Otter” Stratton engaging in the international air combat flight training exercises in his F-15 Eagle fighter. “Fighter Pilot” is an immersive, 3D, pilot’s-view experience into the danger and complexity of high speed combat flying. The first showings of the movie will be introduced by Daniel Holmes, an F-15E and F-22 fighter pilot who has flown in more than 10 Red Flag operations, and was one of the pilots in the movie. Adults: $5 with admission to the Museum; $8 for movie only. Children: $4 with admission; $7 for movie only. Museum Members: $4.
Saturday, July 13, 2:30 p.m.
Lecture
“Jolly Green Giants in Vietnam” with retired U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen Dale Stovall
This presentation recalls the role of Sikorsky HH-53 “Jolly Green Giant” helicopters in rescue missions during the Vietnam War. The featured speakers will be retired U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Dale Stovall and Museum of Flight Docent Jim Platt, both of whom flew numerous rescue missions in “Jollies” during the war. Stovall went on to command Special Operations Helicopter units, establishing himself as one of the foremost experts on combat helicopter operations in the world. These men will share their harrowing, heroic, and humbling experiences with the Jolly.
Learn more about Stovall online.
Saturday, July 20, 2:30 p.m.
Lecture and Exhibit
Skydiving Extremes – Sport, Military and Stratospheric
The Museum of Flight’s first program about aviation’s thrilling world of skydiving brings together the tops in the field, including Luke Aikins, world-renowned consultant on Felix Baumgartner’s record-breaking Red Bull Stratus jump from 24 miles above the earth. Aikins has trained Navy Seals, is a fixture at the Seafair airshows, and played himself in the motion picture “Iron Man 3.” Other speakers include Bill and Lysa Adams, local skydiving experts who also own and run the indoor skydiving company iFly. The program gives an insider’s perspective at civil and military parachuting, vertical wind tunnel flight, and a detailed story about the Red Bull Stratus jump. Audience Q & A follows the presentation. Rare artifacts from the Stratus project will also be on display for the day.
Saturday, July 27, 2:30 p.m.
Lecture and Jet Car Exhibit
“North American Eagle – Pursuing the Land Speed Record in a Jet Car”
The North American Eagle project is attempting to break the world land speed record of 800 mph using a jet-powered vehicle crafted from the fuselage of an F-104 Starfighter. NAE representatives will talk about their quest to a new speed record during a 2:30 p.m. program. The vehicle, North American Eagle, will be on display at the Museum from Friday, July 26 to Monday, July 29.
For more on NAE, visit http://landspeed.com/
The independent, non-profit Museum of Flight is one of the largest air and space museums in the world, attracting more than 500,000 visitors annually. The Museum’s collection includes more than 160 historically significant air- and spacecraft, the original manufacturing facility of The Boeing Co., and the world’s only full-scale NASA Space Shuttle Trainer. The Museum’s aviation and space library and archives are the largest on the West Coast. More than 100,000 individuals are served annually by the Museum’s on-site and outreach educational programs. The Museum of Flight is accredited by the American Association of Museums, and is an Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution.
The Museum of Flight is located at 9404 E. Marginal Way S., Seattle, Exit 158 off Interstate 5 on Boeing Field half-way between downtown Seattle and Sea-Tac Airport. The Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $18 for adults, $15 for seniors 65 and older, $15 for active military, $10 for youth 5 to 17, and free for children under 5. Group rates are available. Admission on the first Thursday of the month is free from 5 to 9 p.m. courtesy of Wells Fargo. McCormick & Schmick’s Wings Café is on site. For general Museum information, please call 206-764-5720 or visit www.museumofflight.org