Warplanes of the USA: Florida, NAS Pensacola, National Museum of Naval Aviation

Warplanes preserved in the National Museum of Naval Aviation, Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida

(Greg Goebel Photo

Grumman F-14A Tomcat (BuNo. 157984), c/n 5, AJ-201, mounted on a pylon in front of the main entrance to the museum.

Pennsacola NAS, National Museum of Naval Aviation (NMNA), 1750 Radford Blvd., Suite C, Naval Air Station Pensacola, FL 32508.

The National Naval Aviation Museum, formerly known as the National Museum of Naval Aviation and the Naval Aviation Museum, is a military and aerospace museum located at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. It was founded in 1962 and moved to its current location in 1974.The museum is devoted to the history of naval aviation, including that of the United States Navy, the United States Marine Corps, and the United States Coast Guard. Its mission is "to select, collect, preserve and display" appropriate memorabilia representative of the development, growth and historic heritage of United States Naval Aviation.

More than 150 aircraft and spacecraft are on display, including four former Blue Angels A-4 Skyhawks, the Curtiss NC-4 (the first aircraft to cross the Atlantic), U.S. Coast Guard helicopters, biplanes, a K-47 Airship control gondola and tail fin, an aircraft that President George H. W. Bush trained in, and the S-3 Viking used to transport President George W. Bush to the USS Abraham Lincoln in 2003 (see Navy One). These historic and one-of-a-kind aircraft are displayed inside the museum's 300,000 square feet (30,000 m2) of exhibit space and outside on its 37-acre (150,000 m2) grounds. (Wikipedia)

(Rob Bixby Photo)

Barnard New Standard D-29A, c/n 1007.

(USAAC Photo)

Beechcraft UC-43 Traveler (Serial No. 310859).

(NMNA Photo)

Beechcraft GB-2 Traveler, US Navy (Serial No. 23688), 6917. 

(Rob Bixby Photo)

The first example of the Beech "Traveller" Model D-17 to serve with the Navy as a staff transport was purchased in 1937 and designated as the JB-1. Following an engine upgrade and redesignation as GB-1, the Navy began acquiring them and its successor (the GB-2) in 1939 for administrative and logistic operations. They were also procured for lend-lease delivery to Britain.

The "Travellers" were also known as "Staggerwings" because of their unconventional wing configuration with the lower wing forward of the upper. This design gave the GB's excellent maneuverability and stall characteristics but made it difficult to land. As early as 1933, a D-17 won the Texaco Trophy race in Miami, Florida.

(Rob Bixby Photo)

Beechcraft RC-45J/SNB Expeditor/Navigator (Serial No. 9771).

(Greg Goebel Photo)

Beechcraft T-34B Mentor (BuNo. 140813).

Beechcraft T-34B Mentor (BuNo. 140818).

Beechcraft T-34B Mentor (BuNo. 140868).

Beechcraft T-34B Mentor (BuNo. 140876).

Beechcraft T-34B Mentor (BuNo. 140926).

Beechcraft T-34B Mentor (BuNo. 144040).

Beechcraft T-34B Mentor (BuNo. 144044).

(Tomás Del Coro Photo)

Beechcraft T-34C Turbo Mentor (BuNo. 141842).

(Tomás Del Coro Photo)

Beech UC-12B Huron (BuNo. 161515), C/N BJ-63.

Bell HTL-4 Sioux Helicopter (BuNo. 128911).

Bell HTL-6 Sioux Helicopter (BuNo. 142377).

(Tomás Del Coro Photo)

Bell NUH-1E/HH-1 Iroquois Helicopter (BuNo. 151268).

(Tomás Del Coro Photo)

Bell HH-1K Iroquois (Huey) Helicopter (BuNo. 157188), c/n 6312, 301.

(Tomás Del Coro Photo)

Bell AH-1J Sea Cobra Helicopter (BuNo. 157773), painted as (Serial No. 070280).

(Rob Bixby Photo)

Bell TH-57C SeaRanger Helicopter (BuNo. 162028)

(Bill Larkins Photo)

(Rob Bixby Photo)

Boeing F4B-4/P-12F Fighter (Serial No. 9029), VF-6B, biplane.

Boeing Stearman Model 75/PT-17/N2S-4 Kaydet (Serial No. 43156).

(Tomas Del Coro Photo)

Boeing-Vertol CH-46D Sea Knight (BuNo. 151952), USMC.

(USN Photo)

Brewster SB2A-4 Buccaneer

(NMNA Photo)

(Robert Dilley Photo)

(Tomas Del Coro Photos)

Brewster SB2A-4 Buccaneer (Serial No. 462-860), 5.

Cessna JRC-1/T-50 Bobcat, “Bamboo Bomber” (BuNo. 63426).

Cessna O-1/OE Bird Dog (Serial No. 5L14981).

(kitmasterbloke Photo)

Chance Vought RF-8G Crusader (BuNo. 145609). Built as a F8U-1P in 1959. Redesignated as RF-8A in 6th July 1962 and converted to a RF-8G.

(Greg Goebel Photo)

Consolidated N2Y-1 Skyhook (BuNo. A 8605), biplane with hook to attach to LTA.

Consolidated OY-1 Sentinel (Serial BuNo. 60645).

(Bill Larkins Photo)

Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina (BuNo. 46602).

(Greg Goebel Photo)

Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina (BuNo. 08317), c/n 1231.

Consolidated PBY-5B Catalina Cutaway, FP 216.

(NMNA Photo)

Consolidated PB2Y-5R Coronado (BuNo. 7099), c/n 57, (Reg. No. N69003 in Howard Hughes Photo).

(NMNA Photo)

Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer (BuNo. 66304), 202, F.

(Tomas Del Coro Photo)

Convair C-131F/R4Y Samaritan (BuNo. 141015), c/n 298, 615.

(Rob Bixby Photso)

Curtiss AD-1 Triad biplane replica (BuNo.).  The aircraft on display in the NMNA is one of two replicas built by the Institute of Aerospace Sciences in San Diego to commemorate the Golden Anniversary of U.S. Naval Aviation in 1961.  The work was carried out by some 130 volunteers and a few employees of the Overhaul and Repair Department on board NAS North Island, California.

(Greg Goebel Photo)

(Bill Larkins Photo)

Curtiss BFC-2 Goshawk (BuNo. 9332), biplane.

(Greg Goebel Photo)

Curtiss F6C-1 Hawk (BuNo. A6969), biplane.

(Greg Goebel Photo)

Curtiss F7C-1 Seahawk (BuNo. A7667), biplane.

(Greg Goebel Photo)

Curtiss SNC-1 Falcon (BuNo. 5194).

Curtiss JN-4A Jenny (Serial No.), biplane trainer.

Curtiss JN-4D (N9) Jenny (BuNo. 490), single-float biplane.

Curtiss NC-4 Nancy (BuNo. A2294), biplane.

(Bill Larkins Photo)

Curtiss MF Boat (BuNo. A-2345), biplane.

(NMNA Photo)

(Greg Goebel Photo)

Curtiss N2C-2 Fledgling (BuNo. A-8529), biplane.

(Jasdulan Photo)

Curtiss P-40C Tomahawk Mk. IIB, RAF (Serial No. AK255), painted in the markings of naval aviator Bob Neale, the American Volunteer Group (AVG) leading ace with 15½ kills.

(NMNA Photo)

(Tomás Del Coro Photo)

Curtiss C-46A/R5C-1 Commando (Serial No. 43-47350), 39611, Reg. No. N611Z.

(Greg Goebel Photo)

(Tomás Del Coro Photo)

De Havilland Canada NU-1B Otter (BuNo. 144672), c/n 160.

(NMNA Photo)

Douglas RD-4 Dolphin (Serial No. CG 1280), Amphibian SAR, USCG markings.

(National Museum of Naval Aviation Photo)

A U.S. Marine Corps Douglas SBD-6 Dauntless from Marine scout/bombing squadron VMSB-231 Ace of Spades flying from Majuro Atoll in early 1944.  The markings indicate 23 bombing missions having been flown by the aircraft.  The pilot of the aircraft is Major Elmer G. Glidden, a Midway and Guadalacanal veteran, who commanded VMSB-231 twice during the period September 1942-September 1943 and 1 November 1943-September 1944 . He logged 104 combat dives during the Second World War.  Redesignated from Marine Scouting Squadron Two (VMS-2) in July 1941, VMSB-231 aircraft flew to Midway in December 1941, and in March 1942 some elements returned to Hawaii.  The remaining personnel formed the nucleus of a new squadron, VMSB-241, which fought during the Battle of Midway in June 1942.  Following the battle, the survivors returned to VMSB-231.  The squadron arrived at Guadalcanal on 30 August 1942, and remained there until November.  Subsequently, the squadron served in the Marshalls, where for a brief time it flew F4U Corsairs under the designation VMBF-231.  The squadron was redesignated VMTB-231 in August 1945.

(NMNA Photo)

(Tomás Del Coro Photos)

Douglas SBD-2 Dauntless (BuNo. 2106), c/n 632, 6, took part in the Battle of Midway.

Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless (BuNo. 6508), flew from Henderson Field, Guadalcanal.

Douglas SBD-4 Dauntless (BuNo. 6833) underwater exhibit.

(Greg Goebel Photo)

(Adrian Brooks Photo)

Douglas EA-1F/AD-5 Skyraider (BuNo. 132532).

Douglas A-1H/AD-6 Skyraider (BuNo. 135300).

(Greg Goebel Photo)

(Tomás Del Coro Photo)

Douglas R4D-5L Skytrain (BuNo. 12418), c/n 9358, XD-8, ‘Que Sera Sera’, first aircraft to land at the South Pole, 31 Oct 1956.

Douglas C-117D/R4D-8 Skytrooper (Serial No. 50821), c/n 43322.

Douglas C-118B/R6D Liftmaster (BuNo. 128424), c/n 43207/197.

(USN Photo)

U.S. Marine Major Marion Carl (left) and U.S. Navy Commander Turner F. Caldwell stand next to a Douglas D-558-1 Skystreak at Muroc Army Airfield (later Edwards Air Force Base) in California (USA). Both Carl and Caldwell established world speed records in D-558-1 type aircraft in 1947.

(Rob Bixby Photo)

Douglas D-558-1 Skystreak (BuNo. 37970), c/n 6564.

(Tomás Del Coro Photo)

Douglas F3D-2/F-10B Skyknight (BuNo. 124598).

(USN Photo)

Three U.S. Marine Corps Douglas F4D-1 Skyray fighters of Marine all-weather fighter squadron VMF(AW)-114 Death Dealers on the catapults of the aircraft carrier USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42), in 1959.

(NMNA Photo)

Douglas F4D-1 Skyray (BuNo. 134806), of Marine fighter squadron VMF(AW)-542 Tigers probably in the late 1950s at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) El Toro, California.  BuNo. 134806 was accepted by the Navy on 21 July 1956 and entered operational service with Fighter Squadron VF-141 and over the course of the following six years it served in five additional Navy and Marine Corps fighter squadrons, including VF-23 and Marine All-Weather Fighter Squadrons (VMF(AW))-542, 513, 314, and 114.  While with VMF(AW)-314, the aircraft deployed to Naval Air Station (NAS) Atsugi, Japan. In May 1962, the aircraft was transferred to Naval Air Test Center (NATC) Patuxent River, Maryland.  Initially assigned to Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation, in 1963 it became part of the aircraft complement at the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, where it served until 1969.  On 25 Nov 1969, Captain George Watkins, the Chief of Staff at NATC Patuxent River, flew the aircraft on its final flight for delivery to the Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida, where it has been on display ever since.  This also marked the last flight by a Navy Skyray.

(Greg Goebel Photo)

(RuthAS Photo)

Douglas F4D-1/F6A Skyray (BuNo. 134806), c/n 10400.

(USN Photo)

Douglas A-3 Skywarrior aircraft on the ground at Naval Missile Center, Point Mugu, California (USA). Three aircraft are visible: A-3A BuNo 135409, this aircraft was retired to the MASDC as 2A0103 on 7 July 1974; EA-3A BuNo 130361 or 130363 NA-3B NuNo 138938, this aircraft was retired to the MASDC as 2A0116 on 6 May 1987.

(USN Photo)

Douglas A3D-1 Skywarrior, 353.

Douglas A-3A/A3D-1 Skywarrior (BuNo. 135418).

(hummerstation Photo)

Douglas A3D-2T Skywarrior (BuNo. 144865).

Douglas JD-1 Invader (BuNo. 77141), USAF A-26B (Serial No. 41-39215), 446928.

Douglas A-4A Skyhawk (BuNo. 137813), c/n 10710, AJ-301.

Douglas A-4L Skyhawk (BuNo. 145077), c/n 12323.

(Greg Goebel Photo)

(Adrian Brooks Photo)

Douglas A-4C Skyhawk (BuNo. 148503).

Douglas A-4E Skyhawk (BuNo. 149696), c/n 12981, AH-303, VH-163.

(USN Photo)

Douglas A-4E Skyhawk (BuNo. 150076), c/n 13129, before being painted as (BuNo. 154180), Blue Angel 1.

Douglas TA-4J Skyhawk (BuNo. 153505).

(Scott A. Thornbloom, USN Photo)

(Greg Goebel Photo)

(Rob Bixby Photo)

(USN Photo)

Douglas A-4F Skyhawk (BuNo. 154217), c/n 13674, before being painted as Blue Angel 4.

Douglas A-4F Skyhawk (BuNo. 154983), c/n 13799, Blue Angel 2.

Douglas A-4F Skyhawk (BuNo. 155033), c/n 13849, before being painted as Blue Angel 3.

Douglas TA-4J Skyhawk (BuNo. 158094), c/n 14131, A-700, marked CTW-4.

(Tomás Del Coro Photo)

Douglas C-9B Skytrain II (BuNo. 163511), c/n 47431/520, JS-511, VR-46.

(Tomás Del Coro Photo)

(Rob Bixby Photo)

Ford RR-5 Trimotor (Serial No. 9205).

Fokker D.VII (Serial No. 1975/18), biplane.

Franklin PS-2 Glider (Serial No. 9617).

(Tomás Del Coro Photo)

General Dynamics F-16N Viper (BuNo. 163572), c/n 3M-17, AD-23, VF-45.

(kitmasterbloke Photo)

(NMNA Photo)

(Tomás Del Coro Photo)

General Motors TBM-3E Avenger (BuNo. 53593), c/n 3655, Reg. No. N6822C.

(Alan Raine Photo)

Tomás Del Coro Photos)

Goodyear FG-1D Corsair (BuNo. 92246), c/n 3507, 86, Reg. No. N766JD.

Goodyear K-47 Airship LTA Control Car.

Goodyear L-8 Airship LTA Control Car.

Goodyear ZPG-2 Ruddervator Control Car (BuNo. 141561), “Snow Bird”.

(Rob Bixby Photo)

(Greg Goebel Photo)

Grumman FF-1 (Canadian Car & Foundry) G23 Goblin Mk. I (Serial No. 9351), c/n 101, 5-F-1.

(Greg Goebel Photo)

(Tomás Del Coro Photos)

Grumman J2F-6 Duck (BuNo. 33581), biplane floatplane.

(Greg Goebel Photo)

Grumman J4F-1 Widgeon (BuNo. V212), c/n 1260.

(Tomas Del Coro Photo)

Grumman JRF-3 Goose (BuNo. V190), c/n 1085, Reg. No. N12CS.

(Greg Goebel Photos)

(Mark Sublette Photo)

Grumman F3F-2 Flying Barrel (BuNo. 976), biplane, 2-MF-16.

(Rob Bixby Photo)

(kitmasterbloke Photo)

Grumman FM-2 Wildcat (BuNo. 16089).

(kitmasterbloke Photo)

Grumman FM-2 Wildcat (BuNo. 86747).

(kitmasterbloke Photo)

Grumman F4F-3 Wildcat (BuNo. 3872).

(Alan Raine Photo)

(Robe Bixby Photo)

Grumman F4F-3A Wildcat (BuNo. 3969).

(Alan Raine Photo)

Grumman F4F-3 Wildcat (BuNo. 4039).

(USN Photo)

A formation of U.S. Navy aircraft from Carrier Air Group 3 (CVG-3) in flight in 1946.  In front is a Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat flown by the Air Group Commander (CAG), Cdr. Louis H. Bauer, followed by a Curtiss SB2C-5 Helldiver (from VB-3), a Grumman TBM-3E Avenger (VT-3) and a Grumman F8F-1 Bearcat (VF-3).

(USN Photo)

Grumman F6F Hellcat, Curtiss SB2C Helldiver, and Grumman TBM-1C Avenger aircraft warming up on USS Intrepid's flight deck, 1944

(USN Photo)

Grumman F6F-5N Hellcat night fighter assigned to the Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida (USA), in 1944/45. Note it is fitted with with an AN/APS-6 radar and 2 20mm M2 cannons.

(Tomás Del Coro Photos)

(Robert Dilley Photo)

Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat (BuNo. 66237), c/n A-1257, 17.

Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat (BuNo. 94203).

(SDASM Archives Photo)

Grumman F7F-2N Tigercat.

(USN Photo)

U.S. Marine Corps Grumman F7F-3N Tigercat after launching from the aircraft carrier USS Tarawa (CV-40). The Marine squadron had been stationed in Tsingtao, China after the Japanese surrender and was on its way to reassignment at Ford Island in Hawaii in December of 1946. VMF(N)-533 and VMF(N)-541 had been stationed in China.

(kitmasterbloke Photo)

(Tomas Del Coro Photo)

Grumman F7F-3 Tigercat (BuNo. 80373).

(kitmasterbloke Photo)

(Tomás Del Coro Photo)

Grumman F8F-2P Bearcat (BuNo. 121710), c/n D.1084, B-100.

(Greg Goebel Photo)

(Tomas Del Coro Photo)

Grumman HU-16E/UF Albatross (BuNo. 141266), USCG 7236, c/n G-322.

(Greg Goebel Photo)

Grumman F9F-2 Panther (BuNo. 123050), suspended from the ceiling.

(Greg Goebel Photo)

(kitmasterbloke Photo)

Grumman F9F-6 Cougar (BuNo. 128109).

(Tomas Del Coro Photo)

Grumman F9F-8 Cougar (BuNo. 131230).

(NMNA Photo)

(Greg Goebel Photo)

Grumman F-11F-1 Tiger (BuNo. 141828), c/n 145, 217.

(Kristian Jones Photo)

Grumman F-14A Tomcat (BuNo. 157984), c/n 5, AJ-201, mounted on a pylon in front of the main entrance to the museum.

Grumman F-14D (R) Tomcat (BuNo. 1561159).

(Tomás Del Coro Photo)

(Greg Goebel Photo)

Grumman F-14A Tomcat (BuNo. 162710). c/n 556.

Grumman A-6A Intruder (BuNo. 151826).

(Tomás Del Coro Photo)

Grumman A-6E Intruder (BuNo. 155610).

(Rob Bixby Photo)

Grumman EA-6B Prowler (BuNo. ---534).

(Greg Goebel Photo)

(Tomás Del Coro Photo)

Grumman C-1A/TF Trader (BuNo. 136754).  It is painted in a bi-cenntenial paint scheme from 1976, the last year of its active service.

Grumman S-2E Tracker (BuNo. 151647), c/n 180C, AW-344.

(Tomas Del Coro Photo)

Grumman E-1B/WF Tracer (BuNo. 148146), c/n 64, AE-711

(NMNA Photo)

(Greg Goebel Photo)

Grumman AF-2S/2W Guardian (BuNo. 123100).The Museum of Naval Aviation's Guardian was accepted by the U.S. Navy on 6 July 1950, the museum's AF-2S entered squadron service with  the Experimental and Development Squadron (VX) 1 at Naval Air Station (NAS) Key West, Florida, where it served as a flight test aircraft until February 1952.  Between 1952 and 1956, it flew with various Naval Air Reserve Units at NAS Jacksonville, Florida, NAS Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, and NAS South Weymouth, Massachusetts. Stricken from the Navy inventory at the naval storage facility at Litchfield Park, Arizona, on 17 Dec 1956, the aircraft was eventually sold in 1958 to Clayton Curtis of Frontier Airways.  At the time of sale, it had accumulated 1469 hours of flight time.  Subsequently acquired by Aero Union Corporation of Reading, California, in 1962, the aircraft served as an aerial tanker fighting forest fires until 1978, at which time it began flying on the exhibition circuit.  Fully restored, it was acquired by the museum in 1980.  As the seventh AF-2S version of the Guardian built by Grumman, the aircraft was one of the earliest in service and, at the time of its acquisition, it was the only flying example of its kind.  Painted in the markings of Antisubmarine Squadron (VS) 25, one of the first squadrons to operate the AF, the aircraft resides in the west wing of the museum. The "30" painted on the cowling is not historically accurate but instead stems from the aircraft's days as a fire fighter. At that it had the radio call sign "Red 30".

(Tomas Del Toro Photo)

Grumman TC-4C Academe (BuNo. 155722).

(Pierre5018 Photo)

Grumman E-2C Hawkeye (BuNo. ---600) of the Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 123 (VAW-123) (also known as Screwtops) of the US Navy.

Hanriot HD.1 Scout (BuNo. A5625), biplane.

Hiller HTE-1 Raven Helicopter (BuNo. 128647), c/n 198.

(Greg Goebel Photo)

Interstate Drone TDR-1 (Serial No. 33529), 1st RPV, TV guided by TBM pod.

Kamman SH-2F/HU2K Seasprite Helicopter (BuNo. 149021).

Kamman SH-2F/HU2K Seasprite Helicopter (BuNo. 151312).

(R.C. "Dick" Jenkins Photo)

(Greg Goebel Photo)

(Tomás Del Coro Photos)

Kawanishi N1K2-J Shiden Kai (Violet Lightning) George (Serial No. 343-A-19).

Lockheed XR-20-1/L-10A Electra (Serial No.), Reg. No. N19HL.

( (Tomás Del Coro Photo)

Lockheed TV-2/T-33 Shooting Star (BuNo. 131816).

(Greg Goebel Photos)

(NMNA Photo)

Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon/Ventura (BuNo. 37230).

he museum's example of the PV-2 Harpoon (Bureau Number 37230) was accepted by the Navy at Naval Auxiliary Air Station (NAAS) Holtsville, California, in December 1945. It remained at the station until the following February, at which time it was sent to Naval Air Facility (NAF) Litchfield Park, Arizona, a base used primarily for the long term storage of aircraft. However, this was not destined to be the fate of Bureau Number 37230, which spent only a week there before being flown to Naval Air Station (NAS) Olathe, Kansas, where it commenced service with the Naval Air Reserve. The airplane flew in support of the training of reservists at NAS Olathe, NAS Moffett Field, California, and NAS Minneapolis, Minnesota, until 1951, at which time it entered overhaul and repair. Converted to the PV-2T configuration, Bureau Number 37230 joined Marine Night Fighter Training Squadron (VMFT(N))-20 at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point, North Carolina, in 1952 and flew with that squadron for the ensuing three years. Stricken from the Navy aircraft inventory following this assignment, the airplane entered the private sector and over the course of the ensuing decades it passed through several owners, the first appearance on civil aviation rolls in Houston, Texas, in 1957. Subsequently, Bureau Number 37230 flew as an aerial fire fighter and agricultural sprayer for owners in Oregon, Texas, Oklahoma, and Nebraska, before its purchase by Hirth Air Tankers of Buffalo, Wyoming, in 1989. With the latter company the airplane supporting the effort to fight forest fires in the western states until flight delivered to the National Naval Aviation Museum in 2000. It is currently on outdoor static display painted in a wartime Marine Corps scheme.

 (USN Photo, 1946)

(Greg Goebel Photo)

Emerson twin-gun nose turret for a Neptune.

(Greg Goebel Photo)

(Tomás Del Coro Photos)

Lockheed P2V-1 Neptune (BuNo. 89082), c/n 26-1003, "Truculent Turtle".

(Bill Larkins Photo)

(Tomas Del Coro Photo)

Lockheed SP-2H/P2V-7 Neptune (BuNo. 141234), c/n 726-7106, PG-6.

(Tomas Del Coro Photo)

Lockheed P-3A Orion (BuNo. 152152), c/n 1855122, PJ-01.

Lockheed YP-3A Orion (BuNo. 148276).

(Kristian Jones Photo)

(hummerstation Photo)

Lockheed S-3B Viking (BuNo. 159387), c/n 394A-3023, NK-700, carrier landed President George W. Bush on the USS Abraham Lincoln 1 May 2003.

This aircraft made history on 1 May 2003 when the former U.S. president George W. Bush was a passenger during a carrier arrested landing on board the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72). It was assigned to sea control squadron VS-35 Sea Wolves, Carrier Air Wing 14 (CVW-14). Just two months later it was accepted by the museum as an exhibit and as at September 2008 can be seen on the backlot tour. It was the first time that a U.S. president arrived on a carrier by plane, and not by ship or helicopter. The S-3B was therefore designated "NAVY ONE" for this flight (in correspondance with the presidential Boeing E-4B "Air Force One" aircraft, which is, however, operated by the USAF).

(Tomás Del Coro Photo)

Lockheed EC-121K/WV Warning Star (BuNo. 143221), c/n 1049A-4495, 4B-502.

(Tomás Del Coro Photo)

Lockheed KC-130F Hercules (BuNo. 149798), carrier landing on the USS Forrestal.

Lockheed TC-130G Hercules (BuNo. 151891), "Fat Albert".

(Tomás Del Coro Photo)

LTV A-7E Corsair II (BuNo. 156804).

(Tomás Del Coro Photo)

LTV A-7E Corsair II (BuNo. 160714), c/n E-492, AC-311.

(NMNA Photo)

Martin AM-1 Mauler (BuNo. 122397), 139, B. This AM-1 was delivered in March 1949, and logged 673 flight hours before being retired from the U.S. Naval Air Reserve in 1955. During its career it flew from Naval Air Stations Atlanta, Georgia, and NAS St. Louis, Missouri. Stored at the Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, following its retirement from service, the aircraft was delivered to the museum in 1971.

(NMNA Photo)

(Bill Larkins Photo)

(Greg Goebel Photo)

Martin PSM-2S/SP-5B Marlin (BuNo. 135533), QE, VP-40.

(USN Photo)

McDonnell FH-1 Phantom I formation over Cherry Point, North Carolina.

(Greg Goebel Photo)

(Tomás Del Coro Photo)

McDonnell FH-1 Phantom I (BuNo. 111793).

(Robert Lawson, USN Photo)

McDonnell Douglas RF-4B Phantom II (BuNo. 157346, and BuNo. 157349) from Marine Photo-Reconnaissance Squadron 3 (VMFP-3) pass over the mountains during a flight out of Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro, California.  VMFP-3 was the last active-duty naval aviation unit to fly the F-4.  Both aircraft were retired on 10 August 1990.  BuNo. 157349 is currently on display at the National Museum of Naval Aviation at Pensacola, Florida.

(Tomás Del Coro Photo)

(Greg Goebel Photo)

McDonnell RF-4B Phantom II (BuNo. 157349), USMC, VMFP-3, 34.

McDonnell F-4B Phantom II (BuNo. 149457).

McDonnell F-4N Phantom II (BuNo. 153915), c/n 1796, VF-154.

(NMNA Photo)

McDonnell F2H-2 Banshee with a Sidewinder missile loaded on the ground at the U.S. Naval Ordnance Test Station (NOTS) China Lake, California (USA), on 17 July 1957.

(Greg Goebel Photo)

(kitmasterbloke Photo)

McDonnell F2H-2P Banshee (BuNo. 126673).

(Greg Goebel Photo)

(Rob Bixby Photo)

(kitmasterbloke Photo)

McDonnell F2H-4 Banshee (BuNo. 126419), NG-201.

(Alan Wilson Photo)

(Greg Goebel Photo)

(NMNA Photo)

(kitmasterbloke Photo)

McDonnell F3H-2M Demon (BuNo. 137078), c/n 259, 301.

(Tomas Del Coro Photo)

McDonnell Douglas AV-8C Harrier (BuNo. 158975), c/n 712136.

(Greg Goebel Photo)

McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A (YF-18) Hornet (BuNo. 161961), c/n 0174/A136, ex-Blue Angel No. 1.

(Carmelo Turdo Photo)

McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A Hornet (BuNo. 161975), ex-Blue Angel No. 5, Mustin Beach Club.

(Alan Raine Photo)

(Tomas Del Coro Photo)

Messerschmitt Me 262B-1a, "White 35" (Werk Nr. 110639) two seat trainer, USN (BuNo. 110639), previously "Red 13".  Test flown by the USN post-war and then put on display at NAS Willow Grove for many years, recently restored to static display.

(Rob Bixby Photo)

(kitmasterbloke Photo)

Mitsubishi A6M-2B Zero (Serial No. 5450), EII-140. c/n Nakajima 5450. It was rebuilt using parts of 5 zeros (these are built by Nakajima, 3471, 4460, 4461, 4469 and EII-140/5450(Hōkoku 1045th Naigai Insatsu Gō/報国第1045號 内外印刷號) of the 8 zeros discovered by Robert Diemert, living Manitoba, an warbirds collector. Originally, 5450 is registered Type 52-hei and 3471 is an Type 32, the others are Type 52.

(Robert Dilley Photo)

(kitmasterbloke Photo)

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 Fagot (Serial No. 70007).

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21bis, Fishbed, ex-Polish Air Force (Serial No. 9735), to be painted in Gulf War-ear Iraqi markings.

 (USN Photo).

Naval Aircraft Factory N3N-1 floatplane (BuNo. 0265), later converted to N3N-2, on the ramp at Naval Air Station Pensacola, 1 Jan 1942.

(Greg Goebel Photo)

Naval Aircraft Factory N3N-1 Canary floatplane Yellow Peril (BuNo. 2693), biplane floatplane.

(Greg Goebel Photo)

Naval Aircraft Factory N3N-3 Yellow Peril/Canary (BuNo. 3046), biplane.

(Greg Goebel Photo)

New Standard NT-1 (BuNo. A 9588), biplane.

The museum's NT-1 aircraft is a D-29 that was originally acquired by Mr. William T. Wilson of San Antonio, Texas, during the 1950s at a cost of just $135. It was in non-flying condition and other than some minor woodwork, Wilson did nothing with the aircraft and sold it to Bob Weller of San Antonio during the late 1950s. Eventually purchased by George Dray of Rohnert Park, California, the aircraft was acquired by the museum in 1983. It is painted in the markings of NT-1 (Bureau Number A-8558), which was the last of six NT-1s delivered to the Navy in 1930. It served at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida, and Quantico, Virginia, before being stricken in 1937 with the note in its history card, "Absolute, worn out in service. Strike plane." As the Navy entered the decade of the 1930s, it sought new aircraft to incorporate in the training of naval aviators. Among those chosen for procurement was the New Standard D-29, which featured a unique cockpit design in which the instructor and student sat side-by-side in what resembled a bathtub. The Navy procured six examples of the aircraft, designating them NT-1s. However, their careers were short-lived after training flights revealed the cockpit arrangement to be by unwieldy. It also created increased drag, reducing the overall performance of the aircraft.

(Rob Bixby Photos)

Nieuport 28 (BuNo. 5796), biplane.

(Rob Bixby Photo)

North American SNJ-5C Texan (Serial No. 51849).

North American SNJ-6 Texan (BuNo. 112121), c/n 121-42954.

(Rob Bixby Photo)

North American T-28B Trojan (BuNo. 138326), c/n 200-397, 764.

(USN Photo)

North American FJ-1 Fury (BuNo. 120351), on loan from the NASM.

(kitmasterbloke Photo)

(Greg Goebel Photo)

North American FJ-2 Fury (BuNo. 132023) suspended from the ceiling and North American FJ-4B Fury (BuNo. 139486).

(kitmasterbloke Photo)

North American FJ-4B Fury (BuNo. 139486), c/n 209-106, NM-208, USMC.

(Tomas Del Coro Photo)

North American AJ-2 Savage (BuNo. 130418), c/n 184-14, NH.

(Bill Larkins Photo)

North American PBJ-1D Mitchell (Serial No. 44-29035), painted as 35087, USMC.

(Tomas Del Coro Photo)

North American RA-5C Vigilante (BuNo. 156624), c/n 316-17, AJ-601.

(Greg Goebel Photo)

(Tomas Del Coro Photo)

North American CT-39G Sabreliner (BuNo. 160056), c/n 306-106.

(kitmasterbloke Photo)

(Tomas Del Coro Photo)

North American Rockwell OV-10D Bronco (BuNo. 155472).

North American Rockwell T-2C/T2J Buckeye (BuNo. 157068).

(Tomas Del Coro Photo)

North American Rockwell T-2C/T2J Buckeye (BuNo. 158327).

(Greg Goebel Photo)

(Tomas Del Coro Photo)

Northrop T-38A Talon (Serial No. 59-1604), USAF.

(Rob Bixby Photo)

Northrop Gruman RQ-8 Fire Scout.

(Tomás Del Coro Photo)

Piasecki HUP-3 Retriever Helicopter (BuNo. 147607).

(Greg Goebel Photo)

Ryan NR-1 Recruit (Serial No. 1541).

(Rob Bixby Photo)

Schweitzer LNS-1 Glider (Serial No. S-04385), USMC.

(Tomás Del Coro Photo)

Sikorsky HNS-1 Hoverfly Helicopter (BuNo. 39047).

(Tomás Del Coro Photo)

Sikorsky HO3S-1G/S-51 Dragonfly Helicopter (Serial No. CG 235), USCG.

(Rob Bixby Photo)

Sikorsky HO5S-1 Helicopter (BuNo. 125519), c/n 52012, WB.

Sikorsky HO4S Horse/H-19E Chickasaw Helicopter (BuNo. 130151), USCG 1258.

Sikorsky UH-34D Seahorse Helicopter (BuNo. 150227), painted as (BuNo. 144657).

(Tomás Del Coro Photos)

Sikorsky CH-37C/HR2S-1 Mojave Helicopter (BuNo. 145864), c/n 56-099, Reg. No. N7388, HMR-462.

(Tomás Del Coro Photo)

Sikorsky HH-52A Sea Guardian Helicopter (BuNo. CG 1355), USCG, c/n 62024.

(Tomás Del Coro Photo)

Sikorsky CH-53A Sea Stallion Helicopter (BuNo. 153715), USMC.

(Tomás Del Coro Photos)

Sikorsky CH-53E Sea Stallion (BuNo. 157159), C/N 65-284.

(Tomás Del Coro Photo)

Sikorsky HH-3F Pelican Helicopter (BuNo. CG 1486), USCG.

(Tomás Del Coro Photo)

Sikorsky VH-3A/HHS Sea King Helicopter (BuNo. 150613).

(Tomás Del Coro Photo)

Sikorsky SH-3D Sea King Helicopter (BuNo. 156484).

(F1295 Photos)

Skylab 2 command module spacecraft.

(Bill Larkins Photo)

Sopwith Camel F.1 (Serial No. A 5658).

Thomas Morse S-4C Scout (Serial No. A-5858), biplane.

(Greg Goebel Photo)

Timm N2T-1 Tutor (BuNo. 32478), 312.

(NMNA Photo)

Vought SB2U-2 Vindicator (BuNo. 1376) from scouting squadron VS-72 pictured on the deck edge elevator of the aircraft carrier USS Wasp (CV-7) at Quincy, Massachusetts, in June 1940.  The elevator consisted of a platform for the front wheels and an outrigger for the tail wheel.  The two arms on the sides moved the platform in a half-circle up and down between the flight deck and the hangar deck.

(NMNA Photo)

(kitmasterbloke Photo)

(Greg Goebel Photo)

(NMNA Photo)

(Rob Bixby Photo)

Vought SB2U-2 Vindicator (BuNo. 1383).

(USN Photo)

Vought OS2U Kingfisher floatplane is hoisted aboard the U.S. Navy battleship USS Missouri (BB-63), during her shakedown period in the summer of 1944.

(Robert Dilley Photo)

(Greg Goebel Photo)

Vought OS2U-3 Kingfisher (Serial No. 5926).

Vought F4U-1 Corsair (BuNo. 02465), with early birdcage canopy.

(kitmasterbloke Photo)

Vought F4U-4 Corsair (BuNo. 97349), c/n 9503, Reg. No. N4802X, WR-18.

(NMNA Photo)

Vought F6U-1 Pirate (BuNo. 122479).  This was the second production airplane and is the sole surviving aircraft of its type.

(USN Photo)

Vought F7U Cutlass, 1954.

(USN Photo)

Four U.S. Navy Vought F7U-3 Cutlass of Fighter Squadron VF-81 “Waldomen” in flight near Naval Air Station Norfolk, Virginia, 1954.

(USN Photo)

Vought F7U-3 Cutlass (BuNo. 129549) in flight 1955.

(Greg Goebel Photo)

Vought F-7U-3M Cutlass (BuNo. 129655).

Vought F-8U-1 (F8A) Crusader (BuNo. 145347), NP-201.

(Rob Bixby Photo)

(Tomás Del Coro Photo)

Vultee SNV-1 Valiant (Serial No. FAA 60828).

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