Story & Photos courtesy resident Elston Hill: The Museum of Flight previewed its new, 3-acre Aviation Pavilion on Thursday (June 23) for the media. The 9-story high, roofed outdoor gallery doubles the Museum’s exhibit space with the biggest expansion in its 51-year history, establishing a new Seattle landmark and one of the world’s grandest displays of historic aircraft. The Museum of Flight’s Aviation Pavilion is a covered, outside gallery with 15 rare and unique commercial and military airplanes. The Museum’s Boeing 747 prototype, Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Concorde will be open to the public daily. The building covers more area than two football fields, and is 90 ft. high. The original Boeing 727 and the first presidential jet plane (Air Force One) will move across the street to the new facility in October, but are also available to view next to the museum. For us, the most impressive airplane was the original Boeing 747 test aircraft. Even though I have flown on 747s, walking up to this 747 was just incredible – it is HUGE when seen up close from the ground. The new facility opens to the public this Saturday, June 25 (more info here). Click images to see larger versions/slideshow: aBoeing Museum_0265 aBoeing Museum_0222 aBoeing Museum_0251a aBoeing Museum_0259 aBoeing Museum_0308a aBoeing Museum_0302a aBoeing Museum_0388a]]>

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