A few months ago, I stopped by the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. This is an extension of the main Air and Space Museum and is located at the Washington-Dulles International Airport in Virginia. The Center contains a huge collection of aircraft that are housed inside a very large hanger that has taxiway access to the airport. You can actually fly your plane into Dulles and taxi and park at the museum.

My main goal in visiting the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center was to see the Boeing 367-80, also known as the Boeing 707. The 370-80 was Boeing’s test bed aircraft to target the military jet tanker and passenger jet markets. It was the company’s first jet commercial and it ended up being a key leader in moving the jet age forward.

Above: an overview of the Boeing 367-80 or Boeing 707 (N70700) at the Steven F. Udvar Hazy Center from the upper deck.

It was awesome the finally get to see the aircraft that helped set the foundation for the commercial jet market and the air travel world we live in today.

In addition to the Boeing 707, the museum has a large display of military and space aircraft, which includes the Space Shuttle Discovery. Another cool part of the center is the Observation Tower which gives you excellent view of the air traffic of the Washington-Dulles Airport.

If you are in the Dulles area, the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center a must see. Plus admission is free and parking is a reasonable $15 dollars.

Above: a front view of the Boeing 367-80 or Boeing 707 (N70700) at the Steven F. Udvar Hazy Center from the upper deck.

Above: David Aughinbaugh II (me) with the Boeing 707/Boeing 367-80 tail in the background.

Above: David Aughinbaugh II (me) with the Boeing 707/Boeing 367-80 the background at the Steven F. Udvar Hazy Center.