Santa Monica museum?

[CKennedy92]

The Santa Monica Museum of Flying has been "temporarily" closed since 2002. Ever since, they have been announcing that they are about to open a new facility. Not too long ago they said they would be re-opening in early Spring of 2010. Now I see they are saying late 2010. I suppose in a few months they will say early 2011.

I was wondering if anybody has any direct knowledge of whether or not they are actually in the process of building a new museum. If so, where exactly is it?

Chris Kennedy

[THoff]

I'm not sure when the new opening date will be, but the museum is definitely taking shape. It will be located on the south side of the airport at the intersection of Airport Road and Donald Douglas Loop South.

One of the centerpieces of the new museum is the "Spirit of Santa Monica" -- part of the museum is visible on the right:

[CKennedy92]

Thanks!

[THoff]

From http://www.nbclosangeles.com/the-scene/events/The-Museum-of-Flying-Grand-Opening-140365173.html


The Museum of Flying Grand Opening

The Santa Monica plane place is set for its redebut

When the Museum of Flying opened in 1989, it was located not in a downtown area, or next to other museums, but probably at the best place it could be: an airport.

And if you visited the Santa Monica Airport in the decade or so that followed, you saw a number of planes that chronicled the arc of flight, from its early years to more modern times. But the institution shuttered in 2002; planes were stowed here and there and some were loaned out.

Now, just about a decade later, the museum is set to take off once more. The Museum of Flying reopens on Saturday, Feb. 25 with a grand ribbon cutting.

Inside on this go-around? Two dozen planes that tell the story of the sky. A Wright replica is in the collection, says a rep, as well as more zoom-zoom engines like the BD-5 micro jet.

Admission is five bucks, but if you're a wing-loving kid who is five and under, you get in for free.