I've been visiting the museum on the mall for decades and never even knew this was here. There is so much here that you have to plan for at least 3-4 hours. The space shuttle is awe inspiring and the Enola Gay challenges you. Tibbets checked his watch, which showed 2:45AM, the morning of August 6, 1945. Near the end of the 8500 foot runway, the B-29 lifted easily and steadily into the air.
Tibbets held the plane on the runway until it reached 155 MPH, then eased back on the yoke. His fellow tour guides were a group of former pilots who had a great time hanging out with each other and showing visitors around. The Enola Gay picked up speed, 75MPH, 100, then 125. The docent who showed us around was a former F15 pilot who kept the entire group engaged and entertained for 2+ hours. The people who work and volunteer at this museum are aviation fanatics and absolutely love talking to new people who come to share their obsession.
From the desk giving us a quarter for the coat locker (it just comes back out again so drop it off on your way out), to the guy running the elevator up to the observation deck, the whole team here made this one of my best museum visits ever. From the moment we arrived everyone was super friendly and truly excited that we were there.
