My son and I made the trip to Seattle yesterday. Took in the Boeing Everett plant (74's, 76's & 77's). Very informative tour (though I'd prefer to "walk around and touch some planes" rather than look at them from afar... but... c'est la vie) Massive, but very quiet place. About 26,000 workers have been laid off in the last year or so.Didn't get to see the 767 assembly area (barstad's) - just the 747's.Only 2 Cargo 747's in final assembly. On the testing pad, newly painted and looking fine:Air France 777-300ER (2nd one built)Air China 744Ethiopian 763 (Beauteous)A couple 772's...Pretty quiet place - but massive!Then we dropped by the Museum of Flight Restoration Center (just around the corner from the Everett plant at Paine Field) and had a personal tour from several of the volunteers (and the two employee's).They are actively working on a Comet 4C (the only one in North America). They have 99% of the flight deck restored - it is gorgeous - and are currently repairing water damage to the lower fuselage (seems the Fire Department used the Comet for 7 years for fire supression practise. They never lit the aircraft on fire, but they did pour enough water into it to fill up the cargo bays). No idea when they will be done... but it will be moved to the Museum at Boeing Field when completed to join the Concorde, AF-1 707, the first 747 ever built, a 727 and a 731.They are also working on many other projects (Burt Ruttan's Voyager; Link trainers - they have a fully operating trainer from 1943 which a kind volunteer showed off to us for 15 minutes. My son (9) wasn't that interested in the technicalities... he just wanted to have a ride).Unfortunately I don't have any pics of the tour (not allowed) or the Restoration Center, but I do have some of the Museum tour which I will post soon.The Museum of Flight at Boeing Field (about 30 miles south of the Everett plant) is amazing. We were there for three hours. It would take 6 to do it justice, and even then you're bound to miss something. Seattle residents are so damn lucky to have the Center.Anyway, the highlight was the Concorde (which has boosted attendance substantially). She looks fabulous along the flight line of Boeing Field. The disappointing aspect was the everything is covered by plexiglass - no sitting in the seats, and a very distant view of the flight deck. Same thing with the 707 AirForce One.When we arrived at the Museum I could see a good number of Boeing employees lining the fence at runway 31L. I knew something special was coming, so we strolled over and asked. Turns out one of 36 F-22's was expected in a few minutes. A few minutes turned into 1 hour, but we were rewarded with an excellent fly-by, and landing of the F-22 on runway 13R. It taxied right by us, and parked near the entrance to the museum. Man, what a beast... sharp edges... it looks like it would cut the air.The exhibits at the museum are top notch, and well worth the trip. Simulators, flight decks, space station sims... you name it, they got it. http://www.museumofflight.orgI will be making another pilgrimmage in the not too distant future. The Museum of Flight is amazing.Daryl ShuttleworthDS 3339http://vatsim.pilotmedia.fi/statusindicato...tor=OD1&a=a.jpg

PICTURES!!! WE WANT PICTURES!!!(Grinning) :)Sounds like a great trip!-Greg

http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/80443.jpgKorean Airlines 737-900 doing some brake-testing at Boeing Field.http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/80444.jpgThere's the big bird!http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/80445.jpgAft section of seats...http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/80446.jpgLove the dihedral on that delta wing...http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/80447.jpgA mini-canard...That's my five pic limit... is that enough?Daryl ShuttleworthDS 3339http://vatsim.pilotmedia.fi/statusindicato...tor=OD1&a=a.jpg

*:-* Great shots man! *:-* Love that third pic! :+ :-bla MORE, MORE, MORE... :-outta

Smaller jpegs...http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/80456.jpgInside the main hall..http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/80457.jpgSR-71?http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/80458.jpg737 Theatre!http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/80459.jpgNose gear on the 'corde...http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/80460.jpgDaryl ShuttleworthDS 3339http://vatsim.pilotmedia.fi/statusindicato...tor=OD1&a=a.jpg

quiet indeed...I have been there many times. I recall my first visit in 1983, the building were stuffed with aircraft and literally thousands of workers crawling all over the place. Do you remember going along the catwalk right after you passed the 747 hull section on display? The bays that you saw right next the the walkway (empty now) were the prewire bays for the flight decks for the 57/67 series. At that time all of those were full with additional nose sections stacked up behind them. There were probably 250 workers within a stones throw right off the catwalk there.today... empty.My last visit was just this Feb. I have watched the decline up there reach massive proportions. Honestly, I think this last visit will be my last - it is just far to depressing for someone like me to have actually witnessed the collapse of those particular production facilities.

Nice pics!It is hard to look at Concorde for me, sad to think they may never fly again. I remember the thrill when I was a kid as it flew over like clockwork every morning...the distinctive rumble and roar that only the Concorde made as it departed 'eff-row. I hear Brooklands museum finally got their Concorde, will definitely have to make a return trip when they have it set up...the folks there were very nice and well informed...and only got a little bit angry at me for playing with buttons on the Viscount.The wing shot picture is interesting as well..note the original/proto 747 in the bakcground...lots of history there.Rob.

I just came back from a Business trip in Seattle and happened to go to the Museum of flight. I was quite dissapointed... I'm not sure what you guys are talking about.. It was very small and didn't have much to offer. The only planes there that were really worth seeing were the Concord, Airforce One 707, and the SR-71. Other than that, it didn't have much at all.. The smithsonian in Washington D.C. blows the doors off of this place...

Okay - well, next time I'm in Washington DC I'll stop by.By the way, I have no idea what I'm talking about either, but then I'm just a numbskull Canadian who likes disappointing museums.I can't wait to come to Washington DC and visit superior exhibits and polite people.Sheesh. I hear the Eiffel Tower is a dump, the Tower Bridge sucks, and all of Rome and Greece blow too.;-)Daryl ShuttleworthDS 3339http://vatsim.pilotmedia.fi/statusindicato...tor=OD1&a=a.jpg

Bad boy Daryl! Boring us with your obviously incorrect opinions of this museum as being worthy of a visit. Based on your recommendation I was about to hop into my personal jet and visit the Museum of Flight, but now I will divert to Washington DC to see the Smithsonian!Your reputation as a vacation planner is in jeopardy!

Yep, you're right Murf. I will divert to the nearest prison and incarcerate myself forthwith.Daryl ShuttleworthDS 3339http://vatsim.pilotmedia.fi/statusindicato...tor=OD1&a=a.jpg

Hey Daryl -I was just giving my own opinion. That's all. I'm glad you enjoyed it, really I am.. But I personally was dissapointed in it. I actually read your message before attending this past week, and I guess I had higher expectations because of your post.No offense intended.-Kev

Here is a photo of Daryl touring the Museum of Flight...http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/81348.gif

NP Kev. Like I said, I'm Canadian. I is amazed by all things American.Murf: #### off, ya tar-pond drinker.Daryl ShuttleworthDS 3339http://vatsim.pilotmedia.fi/statusindicato...tor=OD1&a=a.jpg

Rotters.