Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center Artifact Display and Assembly

Moving the Enola Gay

One of the major challenges in getting ready for the opening of the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is moving the many historic aircraft and spacecraft to Dulles International Airport. The National Air and Space Museum staff recently moved the forward fuselage section of the B-29 Enola Gay from the Museum on the Washington, DC, mall to the Paul Garber Preservation, Restoration, and Storage Facility in Suitland, Maryland, where the aircraft will be packaged for its journey to Northern Virginia

	Don Lopez, Deputy Director, National Air and Space Museum, and Tom Alison, Chief, Collections Division, were on hand early to ensure that one of the museum's most valuable artifacts made a safe trip. Photo by Eric Long, NASM ©2001, Smithsonian Institution, SI# 0097 2001-10076-21A
	The fuselage section was carefully examined to ensure that it would not be damaged. Here the Enola Gay's bomb bay is examined to ensure nothing will vibrate loose during the trip. Photo by Eric Long, NASM ©2001, Smithsonian Institution, SI# 0097 2001-10076-18A
	Special cradles had been built to support the fuselage section. Using the cradles, the forklift positioned Enola Gay high enough for a flatbed truck to be backed into position. Photo by Eric Long, NASM ©2001, Smithsonian Institution, SI# 0096 2001-10075-14
	Operating the forklift takes a steady hand and a watchful eye. Photo by Eric Long, NASM ©2001, Smithsonian Institution, SI# 0096 2001-10075-1
	Once on board, heavy chains were fastened to hold the cradled fuselage securely in place. Photo by Eric Long,NASM ©2001, Smithsonian Institution, SI# 0098 2001-10077-2
	The Enola Gay is on the flatbed and ready to roll. Photo by Eric Long, NASM ©2001, Smithsonian Institution, SI# 0096 2001-10075-30
	On the road, in front of the National Air and Space Museum, Enola Gay drew a lot of attention and comment. Photo by Eric Long, NASM ©2001, Smithsonian Institution, SI# 0095 2001-10074-2A
	Yes, it is an "Oversize Load," as motorists can attest during its trip down Pennsylvania Avenue and on to the Garber Facility. Photo by Eric Long, NASM ©2001, Smithsonian Institution, SI# 0098 2001-10077-28
	The transporting crew must make sure that the load will clear the overpasses along the route. Photo by Eric Long, NASM ©2001, Smithsonian Institution, SI# 0098 2001-10077-31

When the aircraft reaches the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in 2003, it will be fully assembled and proudly displayed in the Aviation Hangar.

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