San Diego Air & Space Museum

February 5th, 2016 - San Diego Air & Space Museum, Balboa Park

This visit is just a small part of our day at Balboa Park.  For a general overview of Balboa and a link to a map, please read the main blog that is available HERE.

The entrance

SR-71

A few days before, January 28th, it was the 30th anniversary of the Challenger disaster and there was a picture of the crew in the foyer.  I was still living in England at that time. I remember, as if it was yesterday, watching in disbelief as I saw it explode while watching the launch live.

Apollo 9 Capsule & Memorial picture of Challenger Crew

Bryan took this picture because he was in a tiger squadron in England and the tiger is his favorite animal

Navy F-4

This table is made from a aircraft radial engine and was for sale

Bryan really wanted to see the next plane, a F-4, as he had worked on these at George AFB.  Unfortunately, this area was closed for a private party.  I could see he was disappointed and so I asked someone if he could go in just to take a picture.  They agreed and he went in to get his picture.

Sue resting while Bryan went around the museum.

We were a little disappointed in this Museum as it is supposed to be one of the best in the park.  I know we were both tired when we got here and I walked through quickly, but there wasn't as much here as we expected.  We did go in to see a 3D/4D Movie which was ok.  There was an DaVinci exhibition, but there was an additional cost for it which we didn't want to pay.  

On reflection I think that we are both very fortunate in that we have been to some of the best Aviation Museums in the world and so our comparison may be unfair. We have also been in some very small ones, that we felt were better than this, with more information. They seem to be a great money-generating museum and obviously have a great fundraising team. I think one of the reasons I preferred the other museums in the park is that they didn't appear to be so money grabbing!!!  

The section being closed for a private function may be clouding my opinion as well, as I am opposed to closing down parts of a public museum for a private function during regular opening hours. I could see the area and nothing was being done, and there were no people in the area at that time.  I am not opposed to fundraising, in fact I applaud the people who do this but there is a time and place for it.  Rant over!!!