The San Diego Air & Space Museum is one of the premier aviation and space history museums in the United States. Located in Balboa Park, it offers a comprehensive look at the evolution of flight, from early aviation pioneers to modern space exploration. The museum is a Smithsonian Affiliate, providing access to world-class exhibits and artifacts.
San Diego Air & Space Museum
http://sandiegoairandspace.org
+1 (619) 234-8291
Daily 10:00 – 16:30
Closed Thanksgiving Day & Christmas Day
Admission fee
Gift shop
Aircraft collection
Convair YF2Y-1 Sea Dart 135763 US Navy
N13094
N3767A/H – – 140872/BG-206 77-22778 – N605WB A7123 8426 53-0200 – N1301M/05414 – 493 – 154554/NG-031 N5590V/48406 N1926M/6 135763 – NC9265 N5391 N5599N 18723 – 142905/NP-302 43-15952 06900/24 C600M 477/17 246/15 NC9637 N28JV NR2100/7211 96-3018/WA 30508 42874/21 – – – – 60-6933 N443NA/131424/43 – 157267/NG-112 1 – – 3020 3-143 6 N1486 N28GH/6 46-17569/7 95-2001 FS001 NC333ED N41HS N25553 NR44LB N9236/NC731M – N211SD/NX-211 NN47843 NC17361 54-1619 161554 – B9916 N2826D SL574/MD-T A4358 129359 N17713 – – – – | Aeronca C-3 Duplex
Albatros D Va (replica) Apollo IX Command Module Beachey Little Looper (reproduction) Beechcraft T-34B Mentor Bell AH-1E Cobra Bell X-1 (Mock-up) Bleriot XI Boeing FB-5 Boeing F4B-4 (replica) Boeing KC-97L Stratofreighter (cockpit) Boeing P-26 Peashooter Boeing-Stearman N2S-3 Kaydet Bowlus BA-100 Bowlus SP-1 Albatross (replica) Cayley Glider (replica) Chance Vought A–7 Corsair II Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina Consolidated PT-1 Trusty Convair YF2Y-1 Sea Dart Curtiss A-1 Triad (replica) Curtiss B-1 Robin Curtiss JN-4D (replica) Curtiss Little Looper (replica) Curtis P-40E Warhawk Deperdussin C Douglas A4D-2 Skyhawk Douglas C-47A Skytrain (nose) Douglas SBD-4 Dauntless Fleet 2 Fokker Dr. I Triplane (replica) Fokker Eindecker E. III Ford Trimotor 5-AT Fouga CM170 Magister Gee Bee R-1 General Atomics MQ-1 Predator Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat Horten H.IX (Horten 229 Flying Wing replica) Leonardo Da Vinci Ornithopter (replica) Lilienthal Glider (replica) Lincoln Standard J-1 Lockheed A-12 Lockheed P2V-7 Neptune Lockheed Vega 5B McDonnell F-4S Phantom II McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A Hornet Mead Primary Glider Messerschmitt Bf 109G-14 (replica) Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17F Mitsubishi A6M7 Zero Montgomery Evergreen Glider Nieuport 11 (replica) Nieuport 28 (replica) North American P-51D Mustang Northrop Grumman RQ-4A Global Hawk (replica) Northrop Grumman MQ-8A Fire Scout Piper J-3C-65 Cub Pitts S-1-S Special Rearwin 8135 Cloudster Robinson R-44 Raven Ryan B-5 Brougham Ryan M-1 (replica) Ryan NYP Spirit of St. Louis (replica) Ryan PT-22 Recruit Ryan STA Ryan X-13A VertiJet Sikorsky SH-60B Seahawk Sopwith Pup SPAD 7.c.1 Standard J-1 Supermarine Spitfire LF. XVIe Thomas-Morse S-4C Vought F4U-7 Corsair Waco YKS-7 (replica) Wright 1901 Flyer (replica) Wright 1902 Flyer (replica) Wright 1903 Flyer (replica) Wright EX Vin Fiz |
The San Diego Air & Space Museum is one of the premier aviation and space history museums in the United States. Located in Balboa Park, it offers a comprehensive look at the evolution of flight, from early aviation pioneers to modern space exploration. The museum is a Smithsonian Affiliate, providing access to world-class exhibits and artifacts.
Highlights of the San Diego Air & Space Museum:
- Exhibit Galleries:
- Early Flight: Features replicas and artifacts from the Wright Brothers and early aviation pioneers.
- World War I and II Aviation: Showcases iconic warbirds, including the Spitfire, P-51 Mustang, and Bf 109.
- Golden Age of Flight: Highlights innovations in aviation between the world wars.
- Modern Jet and Space Age: Includes aircraft like the SR-71 Blackbird and exhibits related to NASA’s space missions.
- Space Exploration:
- Displays artifacts from the Apollo program, including a replica of the Apollo 9 Command Module.
- Exhibits on the Space Shuttle, Mars exploration, and future space technologies.
- Notable Aircraft and Replicas:
- Spirit of St. Louis: A full-scale replica of Charles Lindbergh’s historic transatlantic plane.
- Lockheed Vega: Similar to the aircraft Amelia Earhart flew.
- Military and civilian helicopters, jets, and experimental aircraft.
- Interactive Experiences:
- Flight Simulators: Guests can experience the thrill of piloting a fighter jet or spacecraft.
- Kid’s Aviation Hangar: A hands-on area for children to explore the principles of flight.
- Hall of Fame:
- Honors legendary figures in aviation and space history, including Amelia Earhart, Neil Armstrong, and Chuck Yeager.
Events and Programs:
- Annual Air & Space Gala: Celebrates achievements in aviation and space exploration.
- STEM Education Programs: Workshops and activities for students to foster interest in science, technology, engineering, and math.
- Temporary Exhibits: Rotating exhibits on special topics like drone technology or women in aviation.
Albatros D Va (replica) & Fokker Dr. I Triplane (replica) 477 17 Luftwaffe
Albatros D Va (replica) (N3767A) H Luftwaffe
Bowlus SP-1 Albatross (replica) 493
Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina (N5590V) 48406 US Navy
Consolidated PT-1 Trusty (N1926M) 6 US Army
Curtis P-40E Warhawk P-18723/67 Flying Tigers Chinese Air Force
Curtis P-40E Warhawk P-18723/67 Flying Tigers, Chinese Air Force
Curtiss B-1 Robin NC9265
Douglas SBD-4 Dauntless 06900/24 US Navy
Fleet 2 NC600M
Fokker Eindecker E. III 246/15 Luftwaffe
Ford Trimotor 5-AT NC9637 Pan American Airways System
Ford Trimotor 5-AT NC9637 Pan American Airways System
Gee Bee R-1 Super Sportster NR2100 7211
Messerschmitt Bf 109G-14 (replica) Luftwaffe
North American P-51D Mustang 46-17569/7 US Army Air Force
Pitts S-1-S Special N4HS
Ryan M-1 (replica) Pacific Air Transport
Ryan M-1 (replica) Pacific Air Transport
Ryan X-13A VertiJet 54-1619 USAF
Supermarine Spitfire LF. XVIe SL574/MD-T RAF
Pictures Tom Warnock