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Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center Phase Two
Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar
The largest area of Phase Two is the Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar. Spacious enough to accommodate several aircraft at one time, the facility will give the Museum’s specialists the room and equipment to reconstruct, repair, and preserve artifacts. From a glassed-in mezzanine, visitors will be able to view behind-the-scenes work rarely seen by the public.
The Restoration Hangar will also house numerous support shops where Museum staff will complete the many highly specialized functions necessary to preserve this valuable collection.
What will be restored?
Since the National Air and Space Museum is as much about the future as it is about the past, objects continue to be added to the collection on a regular basis.
As the official repository of NASA artifacts, the Museum is preparing for the end of the space shuttle program and the disposition of thousands of artifacts. Among the artifacts anticipated are a flown-in-space shuttle orbiter to replace Enterprise, a shuttle-era spacesuit, and a variety of vehicle components, crew equipment, and science payloads.
Many significant artifacts already in the collection are in the queue for restoration. One of them is the Curtiss SB2C-5 Helldiver, the type of aircraft former Museum director Don Engen flew in World War II.
The Museum has long planned to restore the Helldiver, but limited space and resources at the Paul E. Garber Restoration and Storage Facility have kept the project grounded. When Phase Two is completed, the Helldiver will be one of the first aircraft to be restored.
Udvar-Hazy Center Phase Two:
<< Phase Two Home Page
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Mary Baker Engen and
Vice Admiral Don Engen |
My parents were deeply engaged with the National Air and Space Museum. Our gift for Phase Two was inspired by their commitment and our desire to allow future generations to stand in awe of the accomplishments of those who have gone before us. - Travis & Anne Engen |
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