Most importantly, the Air Force Association (an organization for retired and active personnel of the US Air Force) and the American Legion (a national veteran's association) launched a lobbying campaign in the local DC media and the US Congress against the exhibition. Once the authors circulated their proposal among historians, military experts and World War II servicemen, however, intense protests began. As a result, the Smithsonian chose to deflect any public criticism by sharing the show's script among many possible stakeholders, inviting them to vet the exhibit. But the restoration could not be completed in time, and the entire plane was too large to fit inside the museum on the National Mall. To memorialize the fiftieth anniversary of the atomic bombings of Japan, the Smithsonian had ramped up a sophisticated program during 19 in anticipation of staging a comprehensive exhibition centered on the Smithsonian's ongoing renovation of the Enola Gay. Part of the Sturm und Drang of 1995 tied directly back to the Smithsonian's failure, or inability, to show the whole aircraft. The culture wars of the 1990s, however, turned this admirable academic aspiration into grist for innumerable polemics as both pro- and anti-Hiroshima activists manoeuvered back and forth through the media about the possible merits or demerits of dropping the 'Little Boy' U-238 atomic bomb over Hiroshima. And this is what we aim to offer our visitors. But a comprehensive and thoughtful discussion can help us learn from history. We have found no way to exhibit the Enola Gay and satisfy everyone. Martin Harwit, Director of the National Air and Space Museum, said at the time: This is our responsibility, as a national museum in a democracy predicated on an informed citizenry. Most importantly, its curators designed the exhibition so as to examine the motives, practices and after-effects of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. The emblematic components of this B-29 bomber put on display at the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC (1) were meant to anchor a particular type of historical exhibition. I am sure if you could stay long enough, it would have some amazing stories to tell.In 1995, a national, then global furore was whipped up by ideological, cultural and aesthetic conflict over displaying parts and pieces of the then not fully restored Enola Gay. Although it caused massive destruction and loss of life on the Japanese, it saved countless American lives by helping to stop Imperial Japan and eliminate the need to take the Japanese mainlands. The Enola Gay was the first aircraft to drop a nuclear bomb during war time on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. On the other hand, The Enola Gay has it’s place well marked in history with death and destruction, but also saving many lives. The Space Shuttle was smaller that I expected and the SR-71 was so shrouded in mystery that all there is to it is just being a cool plane. For me, it may even top the SR-71 Blackbird and the Space Shuttle. There are so many fascinating air planes located at the Udvar-Hazy building, but I believe my favorite has to be this one, The Enola Gay. and from the Udvar-Hazy building on the Air and Space museum. I have posted numerous photos from my trip to Washington D.C. Order a print of this photo Today’s Photo: The Enola Gay