National Air and Space Museum's re-opened WWI and WWII exhibits

[Oldman731]

Air & Space had to rebuild itself, starting in 2018.  The WWI and WWII stuff disappeared first.  Now they're back.

With spouse and one granddaughter, I got my first visit to those exhibits a couple of days ago.  Such a disappointment.  My Macchi 202 is gone, the 109G6 is hanging from the ceiling, the Zeke and Spitfire have disappeared.  So has the R2800, and the Flak Bait cockpit.  A similar experience in WWI; the planes have been hoisted to the ceiling so that interactive exhibits can take their places.  Thank goodness Udvar-Hazy is still there.

Meanwhile, the space stuff has been expanded.  A lot.  They should rename it "Space and Air," because the focus certainly has changed.

I suppose this is another example of how WWI and WWII are being forgotten by people younger than us.

Anyone else been there who has a contrary view?

- oldman

[Spikes]

I went in 2022 and was bummed that the whole right side was closed. Coincidently the WWII portion of the American History museum was closed as well.

Glad to hear it is opened again, I'll have to plan to go back, especially because the silver line now also goes to IAD so the Udvar-Hazy museum is more accessible!

[DmonSlyr]

I went last year. Will post some pictures when I have time. It was pretty decent, thought there would be more though but I enjoyed it. They are putting Flakbait together in the back. My grandfather did a few missions on that bird.

[hazmatt]

I went to the Dayton one years ago but never made it to Nat air and space. The Dayton one is worth checking out if you are in the area. Memphis Belle, Bockscar and the B70 are some that I remember.