A Walk Through the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museums

I am a regular visitor to both locations of the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum (National Mall location in Washington DC, and the Steven Udvar-Hazy location at Dulles Airport in Virginia). On previous visits, I took lots of photos, but on my latest trip in late September 2016, I decided to shoot video of my walkarounds instead, to give those who have never visited before an idea of what to expect.
My video starts with the Steve Udvar-Hazy location, and then I move to the main location on the National Mall in DC.

[@radiationking9875]

I'm only 17 and the sheer amount of negative and immature comments on this video is outstanding. I really cannot see what is wrong with this video. It's informative enough and is brief as too not take up an entire day to watch. It's an issue I get myself when I visit a museum, not being able to take in every aircraft fully. Cheers for this video anyway, since I'm from England and it's quite a distance across the pond it'll be a long while before I visit myself.

[@TurboSeth]

Gotta love it when people criticize someone for making a helpful, informative video. If it’s not absolutely perfect they complain.

[@maeve4686]

I went thru most 80% of the comments and did not see any negative comments.

[@tomarmstrong1281]

And does it not inspire you to wonder 'why so much effort, resources, industry, and know-how has been dedicated to killing machines? Not only in America but in every other country on earth? When a baby is born it does not know it is Kurdish, Albanian, or from Alabama. It is taught who the enemy is and who to be most scared of. I mean, every baby.

[@user-to9fw1wv9l]

Thank you for your commentary. Enjoy your tour. Too old to travel so this is a treat. Thanks again. 🙏🙏🙏

[@TheFlagsofDawn]

Hi, I'm not sure of your name, but I would just like to express my thanks for a walk around the National air and space Museum.I last visited on The Mall in 1997… A lot has changed, back then you could touch a piece of moon rock! Having been quadriplegic for the last 10 years, a visit to both museums was much appreciated… Thank you Best regards Dave Moyes

[@Slaxok]

I watched this entire tour and I too thank you. It has been 15 years since I have been there and I want to go again, like right now.

[@andreasadam4127]

Very nice Video. Thankyou Sir from Germany.

[@RvPrepper]

Sounds like Harrison Ford to me.

[@mikemac2888]

Sounds like the TV voice from NASA, during any live launches. ;)

[@TARDIB]

Where was the moon rock as I've been many times, been to Dc on 7 trips and I've only ever seen it behind glass. I definitely believe you as I am sure I missed it for I was always pressed for time as I always tried to take in four or five museums a day when I was there.

[@aerohk]

Hands down the best air and space museum walk through on KZbin. Many people don't have the opportunity to visit the museum in person. Very good job and congrats.

[@nyc11420]

Having been to the first storage and restoration facility in Suitland Md. and then this incredible facility, a word of Thanks and Gratitude to Steven Udvar-Hazy and those he enlisted to make this a reality. This is a wonderful video presentation. How fortunate are we.

[@joeluliassi1610]

At 44:00 is my father Kevin Uliassi's balloon capsule: the J. Renee. He flew non-stop from Rockford, Ilinois to Myanmar solo in 2000 UNPRESSURIZED (he actually spend a large portion of the time outside the capsule). He reached heights of higher than 40,000 feet and spent the majority of the 10-day, 13,000-mile flight above the hight of 30,000 ft. He holds two world records for his unique flight and has probably spent more time in extremely low pressure than any human ever. The balloon was a Roziere balloon (hybrid heated helium gas balloon) of his own design. He also designed and built most of the capsule that is on display. Thank you for including the capsules on your tour. There are some great feats of engineering, hard work, and courage in the aviation field of long-distance ballooning, but very few people know anything about it.

[@GBURGE55]

Love an aircraft museum, especially one this large. Very informative video. Thankyou from London, England 👍

[@ScottMinnich-id6iu]

I'm old enough to remember when the Wright Flyer and Spirit of St. Louis were in the original Smithsonian Castle! Great tour of both facilities, thank you for posting your walk-about. Sometime include the story of the B17 mural in the WWII room and how one of the first visitors recognized the pilot as her deceased husband.

[@Lirathoss9]

As an european, who really wants to visit this for years already, thank you so much for this video, it was so nice to see everything, amazed by how big those lunar modules & f1 engines really are, wasnt expecting it to be THAT big. great video man, thank you.

[@JadeDelphi]

I'm kinda an old hippie but I agree -- leave the old plane alone and go home with the politics

[@benjaminlujan3789]

I worked for 42 years in the aircraft buildings, and some of the parts that i made are there some place in those Planes , as well as the Gemini stuff. Good to see that i was part of all that history. Thanks for your time and efforts to show. Ben A. Lujan , retired from the Boeing Company and proud of it. I love Boeing.

[@mariocisneros911]

Thank you for keeping these important historical in good condition .I was in Washington D.C. just once 30 plus yrs ago. I'm hoping I can return but These videos are the 2nd best possible .

[@wlanejr106b]

Thank you very much for showing these two facilities. I love anything to do with aerospace, and I've always wanted to go to these museums. I thoroughly enjoyed it and still hope to get there one day.

[@jameshunter5485]

Standing in front of the Enola Gay I was struck by her historical significance. Then by the sheer beauty of the aircraft. Then by the magnificent restoration. Believe me, it is almost overwhelming. In my mind the star of the show in this wonderful museum. I have been a number of times and will go back again, but every time I am awestruck by this B-29.

[@Johnnywhamo]

I just wanted to add my thank you with all the others here. This was truly a wonderful walk through both visually as well as educationally, much appreciated, cheers

[@jangelbrich7056]

This walk around video is most excellent! I like Your calm camera moves, the absence of edutainment, the filming is constantly very clear, and Your commenting very helpful. Thanks for making and sharing this to all of us!

[@claireanderson4740]

Excellent tour, thank you for your time and thoughtful commentary!

[@chirellealanalooney7895]

Thank you for doing this walk around. I really appreciate it, and boy do you ever have a great voice!!!! I love it, and could listen to you talk forever!

[@stevegoering]

I was here almost 50 years ago...truly amazing how much it has changed...ty for the walk thru...I enjoyed it termendously...

[@kiprice8327]

Wow, thank you for a great tour! Enjoyed it very much.

[@SoloTravelPOV]

Amazing walkthrough. 1:45 - They have so many more planes hanging here now, crazy to see how the museum has transformed in the past years

[@nightlightabcd]

Thanks for the tour. You done very well. Well done. Outstanding!!

[@su30boy]

Thanks for the great tour! I really appreciate it. Very well done. I have always wanted to visit in person, that may not happen for me so I thank you for this. I really enjoyed it and your commentary. Cheers!

[@davidjones4112]

I originally had no intention of watching the whole movie but I couldn’t turn it off. Thank you for sharing.

[@brentmilam6317]

Outstanding job. I've been to both museums multiple times, but learned even more by your narration. Thank you...

[@cindystokes9922]

LOVED your video! Really appreciate seeing both museums. Thank you😊

[@michaelpaup262]

Thank you for the post. I haven't been there in almost 30 years and I see some differences. Enjoyed watching.

[@TheCream14]

Wow, thanks so much for sharing this with us. Saved me a ticket back to D.C.

[@janeott4382]

Thank you so much for taking your time and effort to accomplish this tour and to share it. It is much appreciated

[@angelmuzzin123]

thank you very much for this wonderfull presentation, your comments r precise, and to d point.

[@augustomachete1715]

Thanks for the tour. Appreciate it.

[@sunbeamtiger9876]

Watched it in one sitting and loved it all!! Thanks so much for taking the time to film, narrate and post this fabulous video. Don't know when or if I'll be able to make it to see in person but it's on the bucket list for sure! Thank you very much again.

[@barrysheridan9186]

Thank you for posting. It gave me a chance to see what I am unlikely to ever see for myself. The various bodies behind this museum have done a fine job of presenting many unique exhibits.

[@richardmedeiros8472]

Outstanding job with a good view for those unable to attend, brilliant job, many thanks.

[@swimcoach3702]

I remember seeing the Spirit of St Louis hanging from the ceiling when I was there with my mother and I was in the fourth or fifth grade back in the 50's. Not sure, though, if this building was there then or if it was in the castle. Thanks for taking me down memory lane.

[@prakashkanji2478]

Fantastic narrated walk through visual display of the two Washington Air and Space Museums.

[@kathygulch1445]

Videos Gr press news

[@rhpiggy123]

Thank you for taking the time showing both museums. Very interesting overview.

[@wildone1584]

Thank you sir so much for the tour, absolutely fantastic, very well presented and narrated, all the best from the UK

[@Bay6Print]

This was very nice! Thanks for taking your time filming, narrating and uploading this, enjoyed it very much!

[@MrEric2cu]

Thank you so much for sharing this. I'm disabled with mobility issues and would have never had the opportunity to see this exhibit in person. Outstanding. :)

[@brentbarnhart5827]

OUTSTANDING well filmed, and narrated. Thank you for sharing. And for an EXCELLENT job.

[@Yamil97]

Thank you so much! Really appreciate the level of detail that you go into.

[@billygillan2217]

What amazing place,truly interesting

[@saskshark]

Wow, Thank you very much for this video. Yes I am Canadian but there is alot of us that very much would luv to see this amazing museum, I do work hard and can afford it if I put my mind to it, "but" I am sure there are many others that there is no way they can make it. This is the next best thing. Thank you very very much for this video. From all of us.....

[@mimicrono]

Yeah, this is my case. My partner and I desperately long for visiting this fantastic museum - and some more in the US. However, I see it as almost impossible. Your visit is a great consolation for us. Thank you VERY, very much. Hugs from Spain. 🤗🤗

[@keithbrown2458]

Thank you for your insight and wonderful tour I truly enjoyed it

[@danielschannel444]

Thank you so much for sharing, I might not ever get to visit so I'm very grateful for your work on this. I Love those airplanes.

[@yamahonkawazuki]

my friend i was there in the 90s when they had all of the milita4ry vehicles on the mall. and you could climb in as you please never thought i could sit in an apache lol

[@jimgoff1170]

Your voice sounds like the narrative on the nasa launches I used to watch when I had that channel.

[@FrankPalmer]

Just came across this. Almost as good as being there! Thanks so much for both tours. Your commentary was informative and your knowledge of aviation was quite evident. Thanks again!

[@m2xvdXfs]

Many thanks for the walk around of the National Air and Space Museum. From my earliest childhood, I have been fascinated by air & space travel & always wanted to visit this Museum. Your video is as near to being there as you can get. Thanks again for your efforts of an outstanding showcasing of a true national treasure!!!!

[@nicklw2424]

Great video! Sounds a bit like it’s narrated by Bill Belichick.

[@jstone4374]

Belichick doesn’t use adjectives

[@Miatacrosser]

I can't unhear that now

[@robertfarquharson2380]

The Boeing B-52D and KC-135A, two venerable workhorses from the Cold War era that I had the honor to maintain during the Vietnam War. Boeing quality work STILL being used today. Proud to have served in the USAF with those tools!!

[@Phoenx77]

ROBERT FARQUHARSON Those things are masterpieces of technology! Thank you for your service, and dang is Boeing doing great!

[@michellejacobcik9946]

My father flew the B-52 most of his Air Force career. If he was alive today he would be amazed that the good old BUFF is still flying.

[@renatoreside]

Thanks for the walk through! Both museums are among my favorite places to visit in DC. You brought back good memories and identified some artifacts which have escaped my attention.

[@kaycarpentre28]

This was most informative; enjoyed thoroughly. More was seen of the exhibits than if one were to attend. Thanks for sharing this with us.

[@jacobevans5832]

Dude start your own tour business, thanks for the walk through. I live in st.louis mo and wish I could visit this.

[@DeadAbeVigoda]

8:12 A bunch of hippies flinging poo at a historic airplane doesn't exactly sway my opinion about the bombing of Hiroshima but anything the museum can do to protect it is welcome.

[@airzulu2733]

I was shocked to hear that people actually tried to damage the Enola gay . How pathetic is that.

[@AvengerII]

@@airzulu2733 They deface artwork -- statues and paintings -- ALL the time in Europe and they're supposedly a hundred times more civilized than Americans if you believe our self-serving media! Do you honestly think an unguarded, retired military plane doesn't have morons that would deface it? It some ways, the planes are even more inviting targets. They're generally closer to the public and over half of them are in areas that aren't guarded that well or have anything like closed circuit cameras watching the area. The USAF Museum has repossessed several historic aircraft that were in horrible shape because the caretakers didn't protect those planes! They took back the Memphis Belle PERMANENTLY because the city of Memphis, TN allowed the plane to deteriorate horribly over decades. They didn't take care of that plane or clean it over the decades the city had it in their possession. Finally, the Museum had to act or the plane would be lost for good. It was vandalized multiple times and virtually the entire interior was stripped because, you know, souvenirs! A lot of human beings are savage when they don't understand things or respect history and culture.

[@onlythewise1]

@@AvengerII young and dumb

[@JadeDelphi]

Hey, I'm an old hippie and I agree, but its not always "hippies!"

[@onlythewise1]

@@JadeDelphi are you a real old hippie of the 1968 and on wood stock time , cause its cool

[@emmettmccracken1957]

Just a note to thank you for a really informative tour. Thank you for taking your time to share such a great walk-through history and providing us with the privilege to look through the window of our past and experience what we may have otherwise been denied.

[@samwelsh8241]

love that shot of the blackbird with the Space Shuttle in the back

[@tommy.stouch]

I'm possibly going there for a field trip with my school

[@Phoenx77]

Mopar Man Hey, I was in 4th grade (currently in 5th) and I went to the one at the dc mall.

[@jcsandygobotobkkbo2192]

One of my favorite US airplane is a P-51 mustang

[@meghanbrandice1643]

Mine is the p-40 Warhawk, Flying Tigers

[@taffetamocha4130]

B-29

[@yankeeclipper4326]

Watching this video was time well spent. I haven't been to the Air and Space museum (except for a really quick walk-though of the ground floor) since I was a kid. A lot has changed and I thank you for giving us a tour.

[@brownspot9]

Thank you sir. Your narrative description is wonderful.

[@Ophiria]

“One can take a tour of a broken escalator” that got me laughing for a good minute

[@Alice-ox7pe]

"they're always changing the movies they show." This is true. except that D-Day one. they're still showing that one.

[@connork5339]

Thank you very much for the narrated tour of both museums. Enjoyable and informative. I hope to have an opportunity to visit both some day.

[@sturgis8483]

Thank you for the most excellent tour , this was very entertaining and interesting .

[@dmmdmm5435]

Sounds like jamie hyneman of mythbusters fame.

[@mikemac2888]

NASA tv voice, to me.

[@KowboyUSA]

Immediately thought "Jamie Hymen," too.

[@Alice-ox7pe]

it does

[@krifle1]

i was just thnking that too.

[@guytansbariva2295]

Jamie for sure, but we need to get Kermit Weeks here. He can probably take on a few of the restorations in his shop! 💪

[@375GTB]

ENOLA GAY ( AND HER CREW) ENDED THE GOD DAMNED WAR! LEAVE HER IN PEACE!

[@g2macs]

Errr! Actually Bockscar and Charles Sweeney did......sorry to be pendantic.

[@burlatsdemontaigne6147]

soaringtractor _. The A-bomb was completely unnecessary . The Japanese were already finished by that time. Dropping those bombs served purely as a warning to Russia.

[@MrSkypony]

Either way it saved many American lives.

[@mikemac2888]

One of two 29's to drop 'the bomb', not the last.

[@dalesamuels8667]

completely false comment, they were training kids and elderly to fight to the death, and they were working on their own atom bomb they were gonna drop on us if they completed it in time.

[@vwventoschwarz9694]

I just wanted to take a quick peek at the Spirit of St. Louis and ended up watching the whole thing. Thank you for producing this tour and the side by side of the two museums! ❤️

[@mentionone6596]

Thanks for a well rounded tour with a mature commentary. I couldn’t turn it off!

[@m4ttyofficialchannel]

i want to see the horten 229 restored

[@Cinnabun]

it was found in final assembly. With wings in the same facility due to be attached.

[@roberthelton9432]

Great video! Glad you mentioned Bob Hoover and his Shrike. I saw him on several occasions and met him at Lakeland Florida a few years ago after he had to quit flying. A real gentleman and the best pilot ever to fly.

[@Thommo57]

Thank you so much for an excellent production. I too was not going to watch the entire video but couldn't stop. Thank you for sharing. Geoff Shepparton Australia

[@tombrown6911]

Awesome video! Thank you for posting it. Really enjoyed the tour.

[@nightlightabcd]

Excellent video of a excellent museum. Thanks for sharing it with us!

[@KowboyUSA]

Wow. Probably the most awesome museum on Earth. Nice tour. Thank you.

[@2ndamenddude]

I've never been to the smithsonian, but always wanted to. It is now officially on my bucket list. Thank you very much sir. Well done.

[@sandycoble8749]

This was an amazing video. Thank you for the great narrative. My husband and I enjoyed watching this while in Quarantine.

[@patricktesto6755]

Wow! What a wonderful tour! Thank You! Interesting!

[@bjw4859]

That was a beyond words tour, I'm in Australia & I have seen snippets of the national Air & Space Museums in the USA, but we are a long way from everywhere, that is on my bucket list.

[@bigd-1-channel514]

Very Cool, a place I probably will never get to see in person. Thank you for posting.

[@billyt8780]

Thank you, simply a great tour, and a great job !!

[@paulnyul1898]

brilliant video - always wanted to go & now I felt I've been....thanks for sharing.!!!!

[@tatjanakragh1539]

I haven't been to the air and space museum since I was a kid. Lord, it has grown and is absolutely beautiful. Your tour is just wonderful!

[@TheGnewb]

What an amazing tour, Thanks You!

[@dixee6498]

Thank you for sharing this. I love this museum. I haven't been there since the 80's as a child. It was an adventure to go there each time when my brother and I were on summer vacation to see our grandparents in Northern Virginia. My favorite things to see were the aircraft carrier model with its intricate detail. I always thought it would've made a great toy! Lol! The other was where you could walk through the rocket ship and see everything inside. Going to the gift shop and getting a toy space shuttle and a package of dehydrated ice cream was fun too. Those were good days. Thank you again for sharing this.

[@HummingbirdUAV]

Thanks for your tour, I would love to visit in person but this was the next best thing. Smooth video thanks to a gimbal and informative commentary. Thumbs up!

[@davidmarkwood7314]

thank you very much for filming and posting on youtube i really enjoyed watching your film .....10/10

[@scottphares8130]

Great video, thank you for sharing! Now I really can’t wait to visit!

[@bassinbob1965]

Thank you for taking me to a place that I will never get to go to because of my health. I can't even begin to tell you how much it means to me to see these sights. I am an avid model builder and you have shown me thing I could scratch build that are not in the conventional kits. Thanks again. Robert

[@Jay75ny]

STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER 🇺🇸 awesome video Awesome narrative Awesome details.

[@ihateemael]

Its a dream of mine to one day visit, thankyou very much loved it. Cheers from Australia.

[@bluetopguitar1104]

Thanks for the video. I've been to this museum a while ago, much progress in putting more displays in. Going back there very soon. I appreciate the preview.

[@davidnelson7786]

Excellent walkthrough. Thank so much for sharing.

[@harrickvharrick3957]

goodness gracious, what a great collection !

[@glenkelley6048]

Thank You so much for a fine presentation!

[@frankdalla]

Excellent job, Sir, of delivering myself to a place I will never have any other way to view. Our history of events and inventions is so vast and interesting that many people like myself will be history before ever having a chance to see it displayed like it is here in this wonderful place... Thank You.

[@Artist452]

I really enjoyed this.Thank you for sharing this.

[@brandonthomas303]

I was 16 the first time I was there. I'm now 42. I absolutely MUST go back. While I was there I did walk inside the Enola Gay! What an experience! I have got to go back!!!!! I love your video!!

[@chriseichenlaub2420]

Thank you for the walk through! It has been at least 30 years since I have been there. So it was nice to catch up. I would walk through in half a day, now aLot more to see, besides museum at Dulles airport. Must see if I ever get back there, thanks again very interesting and in formative dialogue also!!!

[@chuckhiggins15]

Yes, thank you for the excellent video tour of both aviation Museums. It's obvious that all of the aviation artifacts located in 0ne building, not possible. I'm an Army Air Force retiree, B-29 era, and would never have seen some of the Aviation, that you were so thoughtful to give us your time to video. Thank you again. And the video has the playback to view again have a closer view.

[@PeskyActivist]

Thanks so much for the tour of aviation. Back in the 73-74 time frame, I visited the museum when it first began. I was impressed by how close the Spirit of St. Louis and the John Glen space capsule were to each other. As an electronic technician, I thought that the exposed wiring harness looked a bit risky to me. At the time I was working at the Goddard Space Flight Tracking Station in Greenbelt Md. For a time I operated one of the 40' parabolic reflectors that tracked and downloaded all the data from ERTS satellites.