Yesterday was both a wonderful and terrible day for the internet, as April Fools’ Day almost always litters news feeds with hilarious stories about pranks gone wrong. Sometimes, however, a few well-done gags can put a smile on your face, even if you’re an ardent, Reddit-trained cynic. Such was the case for the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum‘s newest addition.
For one day only, the esteemed institution secured Wonder Woman’s very own invisible plane. Seems like an easy prank to pull, no? I mean, there’s not really anything you have to do but point at a vacant space and tell people it’s there. But this is the Smithsonian we’re talking about.
The trick for the National Air and Space Museum was to display the plane in its jet formation. The plane has only been displayed publically in the propeller configuration. The new design was made possible by the plane’s shape shifting properties. Although The Museum of Flight staff was concerned about this formation change, they worked with our conservation staff so that the shift was safe and temporary. Once the shift took place the jet underwent a total review by our conservation department and appears to be in remarkable shape. (Via)
In addition to the short promotional video above, the museum’s official blog put out a full press release, complete with interviews, specs, and procedures. Even a brief background on Amazonian technology (and how much better it is) was given as a means of comparison.
The jet is well ahead of its time. It used stealth technologies in the 1950s long before the Lockheed YF-12A and the SR-71 Blackbird were introduced. The engines on this plane allowed Wonder Woman to travel through space. Keep in mind that NASA’s North American X-15 took the United States to the edge of space in the 1960s, but it was Amazonian technology that had Wonder Woman traveling into deep space in the 1950s. (Via)
The prank is a great throwback to the Wonder Woman television series with Lynda Carter, but it’s also some free press for Zack Snyder‘s Gal Gadot-starring Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. I think this is one of the best-looking props yet!