Star Wars is synonymous with space. (It does have the word “Star” in its name, after all.) For more than four decades, the fantastical franchise has served as a beacon of what might be when it comes to space travel. Often times the ships that traverse the galaxy far, far away take their inspiration from real-word aircraft. The Ghost from Rebels, for example, draws on the design of WWII B-17 bombers. So, it seems only fitting that an X-Wing fighter should take its place beside the craft that came before it in the Smithsonian.
That’s right: beginning in the fall/winter of 2022, you’ll be able to see the famed starfighter of the Rebellion and Resistance hanging in static display at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. According to the Smithsonian’s official publication, the X-Wing will be on long-term loan to the museum from Lucasfilm Ltd. It is currently undergoing conservation at the Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar at the Udvar-Hazy Center. If you were hoping for Luke Skywalker’s Red Five T-65B, however, you might be slightly disappointed.
Star Wars X-Wing to go on display at the Smithsonian
“We are thrilled to have an X-Wing on exhibit. It is a real screen-used vehicle from the 2019 film Rise of Skywalker. This display speaks to that crossover connection between people who are excited about space flight and have been inspired by the visions Star Wars has been putting out since 1977.”
~ Margaret Weitekamp, Space History Chair at the National Air and Space Museum
The X-Wing on display will be the sleeker, orange and white T-70 model. For those unfamiliar, that’s what Poe Dameron flew in the Battle of Exegol in The Rise of Skywalker. It will even bear “damage” from the film, such as “hangar rash,” to give it a more realistic look. If you want to see it now, you can do so from the observation areas of the Conservation Hangar at Udvar-Hazy. Otherwise, you’ll have to wait until it reaches its final home outside the Albert Einstein Planetarium late next year.
Source: Smithsonian Magazine
