From dailynews.yahoo.com:

The Smithsonian opens an exhibit on Saturday called ""Star Wars: the Art of the Starfighter'' at its Arts and Industries Building, half a block from Air and Space. It centers on the fantasy craft, built in Britain for the filming in 1997. A movie prop, it was never designed to fly or fight. Like similar imaginary vehicles, its shape was adjusted to illustrate episodes in the story.

One design, an information panel explains, was based on auto hood ornaments of the 1950s. The show will start a four-year tour of affiliated museums after it closes in Washington June 24. An earlier Smithsonian exhibit - ""Star Wars: the Magic of Myth'' - is already touring and will be on the road through 2003.

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