I was blown away. Luckily I brought the iPhone along and got some photos (be sure to click on them to blow them up).

The first thing you feel, and the thing that unfortunately doesn’t come across in photos, is the enormous presence of the plane. I realize I was supposed to know that already, but you don’t really get it until you experience it. Notice in the photo above, that even with the iPhone that has a fairly wide angle lens I can’t get the whole thing in the photo.

As you browse the photos gauge the size in comparison to the people in the photos and the other regular-to-big-sized airplanes that are camped out underneath it and around it. You can get a tiny idea of what’s going on if you try really hard at both those things.

The really cool part came when we got to go inside the plane, and up into the cockpit and flight deck area. All of the original stuff is up there, some real classics from the era that get you jacked right up to put on some goggles, a leather helmet and sign up for flight school.

Check the Hughes Aircraft Co and part number on this switchboard. Great.

I love the details on these last two shots. The turquoise blue of the knobs stand out. I love the intercom phone as well. Great period pieces.

Needless to say, we’ll be heading back again. And I encourage anyone who has the chance to go see this thing in person, because my photos really don’t do it justice.