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On September 25, 2002, the steel workers
at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center "topped out"
the Center's tower, named in honor of the late Admiral Donald
D. Engen, former Director of the National Air and Space Museum.
At 164 feet, the tower is the highest structure at the new
museum's site (the top of the main Boeing Aviation Hangar is 103
feet). From the tower, visitors will view real-time activity
of Dulles International Airport. On the lower deck of the
tower, visitors will experience the realistic workings of
a modern air traffic control facility, complete with the computers,
radar screens, and consoles used by air traffic controllers. |
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Sections
of the tower were prefabricated on the ground according to
precise specifications.
Photo by Carolyn Russo
SI#: 2002-17804 (49
K jpg) |
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Steel
workers attach cables for the lift.
Photo by Carolyn Russo
SI#: 2002-17805 (67 K
jpg) |
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The
section is high in the air, ready to be attached.
Photos by Carolyn Russo
SI#: 2002-17806 (43 K
jpg) |
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Here
comes one of the final pieces of steel.
Photos by Mark Avino
SI#: 2002-17800 (57 K
jpg) |
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The
view of the top of the tower is spectacular. From the tower
visitors will get an impressive view of Dulles International
Airport with its terminals, runways, and arriving and departing
aircraft, as well as the surrounding countryside and distant
mountains.
Photo by Eric Long
SI#: 2002-17809 (81 K
jpg) |
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It
is a steelworkers' custom to "plant" an evergreen
tree at the top of a steel structure to mark the completion
of the highest point of new construction.
Photo by Eric Long
SI#: 2002-17808 (59
K jpg) |
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The
final touch of the "topping out" is hanging the
Stars and Stripes, reflecting the pride of every worker who
has a part in the Center's construction.
Photo by Eric Long
SI#: 2002-17810 (76 K
jpg) |
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This
proud construction crew knows that theirs has been "a
job well done."
Photo by Eric Long
SI#: 2002-17811 (80 K
jpg) |
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Our
photographers went to great heights to get these magnificent
shots of the tower. Eric Long, camera in hand, is in the high-lift
basket, which is being controlled by a construction worker.
Photo by Bill Doole
(13 K jpg) |
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Here
is the way visitors will see the Donald D. Engen tower as
they drive onto the museum site.
Illustration courtesy of HOK Architects
(27 K jpg) |
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When
the tower was "topped out," the workers who are
building the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center received a well deserved
treat of a barbecue lunch, served to them in the entrance
walkway inside the new museum.
Photo by Bill Doole
(67 K jpg) |
