WASHINGTON DC, United States — A full-sized T-70 X-wing Starfighter from "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" on display at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC. This screen-used prop, on long-term loan from Lucasfilm, hangs outside the planetarium, showcasing the intersection of science fiction and space exploration.
Photograph by David Coleman. The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC now features a full-sized T-70 X-wing Starfighter, a screen-used prop from "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" (2019). This iconic spacecraft, "flown" by character Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) in the film, arrived at the museum in spring 2021 and underwent a meticulous conservation and installation process. The X-wing, on long-term loan from Lucasfilm, hangs outside the museum's planetarium, symbolizing the bridge between science fiction and real-world space exploration. The exhibit includes a model of R2-D2 behind the cockpit, faithfully recreating its appearance in the film. The installation process involved transporting the prop from London, assembling it in the Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, and carefully moving it to its current location. Museum staff faced unique challenges in preparing a prop built for standing to be suspended for display. This exhibit exemplifies the museum's recognition of science fiction's role in inspiring real aerospace advancements and public interest in space exploration. As Margaret Weitekamp, space history chair at the museum, notes, the X-wing celebrates "the journey from imagination to achievement" in air and space milestones.
Size: 8256px × 5504px
Location: National Mall, Washington, District of Columbia, United States
Photo credit: © David Coleman | Have Camera Will Travel / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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