In April of 2003, the National Air and Space Museum embarked on the most comprehensive artifact digital photography project ever conducted. The opening of the new Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center involves the relocation of hundreds of artifacts over a span of three years. Each aircraft and space object is assembled and cleaned, moved from storage to the new facility, then hung or placed behind exhibit barriers for display. This operation provides a rare opportunity to photographically document a large portion of the museum's aircraft and space artifact collection, inside and out, before they are put on display and inaccessible to such photography for years to come.

In order to take full advantage of this opportunity, the museum decided to photograph artifacts in extensive detail using state-of-the-art high resolution digital photography and Apple's QuickTime VR (QTVR) photographic immersive technology. QTVR allows for viewing of objects and interiors from all sides and can be downloaded for free on the web. The technology uses individual images to create a seamless 360 degree view of an object or interior. In the case of an aircraft cockpit, this technology allows the Museum to give our visitors a look inside historic artifacts and the virtual experience of sitting in the pilot's seat. The photographs and QTVR movies produced through this project represent not only a rich archival resource, but an invaluable outreach tool for educating Museum visitors about the aircraft and spacecraft in the National Collection.

QuickTime VR examples (requires free QuickTime Player to view:

Download free QuickTime player.
	Monocoupe 110 Exterior	Monocoupe 110 Interior
	Click on the image to view example.
More QTVR movies...

Over 100 aircraft and spacecraft were photographed during the first phase of the project before the Udvar-Hazy Center opened in December, 2003. These included the SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance aircraft; the Piper J-3 Cub, F-4 Phantom fighter ; Boeing B-29 Superfortress "Enola Gay;" and the de Havilland Chipmunk aerobatic plane just to name a few. The second and third phases of the project in the Fall of 2004 included 31 space artifacts (including the interior of the Space Shuttle Enterprise) and 20 new aircraft moving into the Center. In 2005, more than 50 artifacts have been photographed and post-processing continues. But the project is not finished! Funding is still needed to support continued QTVR production and photography of more aircraft and spacecraft in 2006 and beyond. With sufficient funding support, the project could be expanded to include objects at the downtown facility. Imagine sitting "virtually" in the cockpit of Chuck Yeager's Bell X-1 or Amerlia Earhart's Lockheed Vega!

You can help! Contact the National Air and Space Museum's Development Office if you wish to contribute to the project.

Want More QTVR?

• Check out the interactive displays throughout the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, featuring QTVR virtual views of aircraft cockpits. Take a look inside some of the most famous objects on display, including the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, Boeing B-29 Superfortress "Enola Gay" and the Concorde!
• Posters and postcards featuring QTVR cockpits of the Concorde and Boeing B-29 Superfortress "Enola Gay" are on sale in the Museum Store at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.
• View QTVR movies online and check this site often for updates!