The National WWII Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana, US, has launched the next phase of its US$300m (225m euro, £187m) expansion.
The US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Centre, which cost US$35m (26m euro, £22m), tells the story of America's industrial capability during the war years and explores what it was like to participate in World War II on land, at sea or in the air.
It showcases the macro artifacts of the war, representing America's production of airplanes, artillery, tanks and other equipment that helped the victory in World War II.
Exhibited artifacts will include a Boeing B-17 "Flying Fortress," an SBD Dauntless, a B-25 fuselage and the TBM Avenger.
The expansive space will feature elevated visitor "catwalks" for a dramatic view of the aircraft as well as LED screens, programmed with historical films and other presentations.
Designed by New York-based engineering firm and architectural firm Voorsanger Architects, the 96-ft-high Pavilion has freestanding columns, no interior floors, and a sloping facade consisting of irregularly shaped horizontal panels, up to 40 ft long.
Funds for the pavilion came from a $20-million Congressional grant through the United States Department of Defense as well as a $15-million donation from The Boeing Company.
Another highlight of the US Freedom Pavilion is the Final Mission: The USS Tang Submarine Experience, an immersive and interactive submarine experience based on the last war patrol of the USS Tang in the Pacific Theatre.
Visitors will man the positions and perform the battle actions of actual crewmembers as the sub engages the Japanese Imperial Naval Forces.
The new pavilion marks the fifth phase of the museums US$300m (225m euro, £187m) expansion, The Road to Victory: A Vision for Future Generations, which aims to tell the entire story of the American Experience in World War II.
When completed in 2015, the expansion project will quadruple the size of the original museum, adding programs and exhibit space, libraries and archives, and collections and conservation space.
