June 26, 2009
National Air and Space Museum Cameos in Transformers Sequel
The National Air and Space Museum's SR-71 Blackbird is really Jetfire in disguise. (Courtesy of iphotobucket user MustangPilot007.)
The Smithsonian is having a blockbuster summer, thanks to two sequels.
In May, “Night at the Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian,” premiered. The first feature film to use the interior of the museums has grossed more than $100 million domestically, and continues to draw audiences.
Today, “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” hits box offices, and visitors to The National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, will be pleased to see heartthrob Shia Labeouf and a scantily-clad Megan Fox admiring the Enola Gray Gay and other historical fight pieces as they search for a transformer hidden in the museum.
Not to give too much away, but at this point in the film, the stars’ characters are looking for someone who might be able to read an ancient robot language. They find their robot hiding as an out-of-commission Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird. (Learn more about the plane in this month’s Object at Hand.) Known as Jetfire, he turns out to be a bearded, cranky old-timer, who creaks when he transforms. “It’s sort of like arthritis,” director Michael Bay told Empire Magazine. Despite Jetfire’s bad attitude, and his previous identity as a decepticon (the villains of the Transformers universe), he is partially responsible for the movie’s climactic ending.
The SR-71 featured in the movie–filming was done on location at the museum–was a reconnaissance aircraft used by the military and NASA. In 1990, it took its final flight from Palmdale, California, to Chantilly, Virginia. Upon arrival, the Blackbird became a permanent addition of the National Air and Space Museum’s collection, going on display in 1993.
So, if you’re a fan of the Smithsonian, don’t miss this cinematic opportunity to watch a 50-foot tall robot blast a hole through the Udvar-Hazy Center’s side door.
Sign up for our free email newsletter and receive the best stories from Smithsonian.com each week.
3 Comments »
RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI
Not only can you see the film in the IMAX format, but if you arrive at the Hazy Center before the museum closes, you may also visit the newest display at the Center. An exhibit case located near the SR-71 titled, “More Than Meets the Eye,” contains props from the film used in filming at Hazy and a selection of Transformers toys and artwork that cannot be seen anywhere else. A look at the evolution of the Jetfire and Starscream characters since 1984 plus a one-of-a-kind look at how these complex technological playthings are made reveals that when it comes to Transformers, there is “More Than Meets the Eye.”
Sorry for the criticism but it’s the Enola Gay, not Enola Gray…
Amazing that the SR-71 blackbird,is still the worlds fastest jet plane,that can fly at speeds of up to moch 6 or 7 absolutely fanominal,no plane,or misels could catch up to it ….it also had a protective skin on it,as the pilot had to wear a certain suit, because it went so fast that it became so hot that the pilot would burn to death.I heard that the SR-71 once traveled from England to Los Angeles in three hours….now that is one hell of a plane. amazing, just amazing…thats all i can say.