Warplanes of the USA: Hawaii, Pearl Harbor, Ford Island, Pacific Aviation Museum

Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor, Ford Island

The Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor is located at 319 Lexington Blvd on Ford Island.  Ford Island, now a National Historic Landmark, is quiet today but it still shows the scars of war.  In developing the master plan in the 1990s, the Navy consulted with the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Historic Hawaii Foundation.  The Navy agreed to protect several historic buildings and nearby grounds.  However, preserving these artifacts is outside the Navy's primary mission, so an innovative method for adaptive reuse and preservation was required.  A group of concerned Hawaii citizens stepped forward with a solution and a plan to create a world class aviation museum in the historic hangars that survived the attack that initiated the US effort in the Second World War.  The museum’s aircraft collection includes:

(Author Photo)

(JJ Messerly Photo)

Aeronca 65TC Defender (Serial No. 939IT), Gambo Flying School, Reg. No. NC33768.  Hangar 37.  Eight private aircraft were in the air over Oahu at time of the December 7th attack on Pearl Harbor. Four were from K-T Flying Service, two from Gambo Flying Service, one from Andrews Flying Service, and one from Hui Lele Flying Club.  Local attorney and territorial legislator, Roy Vitousek, and his teenage son Martin were flying this Aeronca TC-65 Defender toward Pearl Harbor that fateful Sunday morning.  According to Martin, they stayed in the air during part of the attack, circling at 2,000 feet to avoid the Japanese planes.  Upon taking fire from enemy aircraft, they immediately returned to John Rodgers Field and executed a safe landing.  John Rodgers Field is now Honolulu International Airport.  The Vitouseks were fortunate.  Of the eight pilots in the air that day, three were shot down, two of whom died. One was forced to bail out.  Two landed safely.  Two pilots went missing and are presumed dead.

(Tony Hisgett Photo)

(Daniel Ramirez Photo)

Bell UH-1K Iroquois Helicopter (BuNo. 157200), c/n 6324.  Hangar 79.

(Daniel Ramirez Photo)

Bell AH-1G Cobra Helicopter (Serial No. 66-15298), "Snake 298".  Hangar 79.

(Daniel Ramirez Photo)

Boeing Stearman N2S-3 Kaydet (BuNo. 92468), c/n 75-6707, 103, Reg. No. N5102N.  Former US President George H. Bush soloed in this aircraft.  Hangar 37.

(Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor Photo)

Boeing B-17E Flying Fortress (Serial No. 41-2446), c/n 2257, "Swamp Ghost", restoration project.  This aircraft was piloted by Captain Frederick 'Fred' C. Eaton, Jr, when it was shot down over Papua New Guinea in 1942, after a raid on ships at Japanese held New Britain.  While flying over Rabaul, it was intercepted and eventually had to force-land in a remote swamp near the north coast of New Guinea.  All of the crew survived the crash landing and arduous trek out.  The aircraft was rediscovered in 1972 in Agaiambo swamp, where it earned the nickname Swamp Ghost.  It was salvaged in 2006 and moved to Lae wharf.  Shipped to the USA in 2010.  It came to the Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor on 10 April 2013.  It is to be placed on display inside the museum in "as found" condition.

(Daniel Ramirez Photo)

(Tony Hisgett Photo)

Boeing B-52E Stratofortress (Serial No. 57-0101), c/n 464090, nose section.  Hangar 79.

(Pacific Aviation Museum Photos)

(Tony Hisgett Photo)

Boeing Vertol CH-46E Sea Knight Helicopter (BuNo. 153965), flown to the Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor on 26 June 2014.

Cessna O-2A Skymaster (Serial No.), restoration project.

Consolidated PBY Catalina (Serial No. 64064), ex-USN, flew with World Wide Airways, Canada, later flown in Spain fighting fires as Reg. No. EC-FMC.  There are plans for this aircraft to be aquired from Spain and for it to be reconfigured with blister windows and painted to represent an aircraft that flew with VP-24, No. 32, "Jungle Skippers".

(USAF Photo)

Convair F-102 Delta Dagger (Serial No. 54-1372), 199th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, Hawaii Air National Guard, 1964.

(Author Photo)

(Daniel Ramirez Photo)

(Tony Hisgett Photos)

Convair F-102A Delta Dagger (Serial No. 55-3366).  This aircraft was previously displayed with the Hawaii ANG.  Hangar 79.

(Daniel Ramirez Photo)

Curtiss P-40E Kittyhawk Mk. 1a, RAF (Serial No. AK979), c/n 18723, ex-RCAF (Serial No. 1064), 155, Reg. No. N540FT.  Hangar 37.

(Daniel Ramirez Photo)

(Tony Hisgett Photo)

Curtiss P-40E Warhawk, replica.  Hangar 79.

(NMNA Photo)

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.  Note the mission markings and Ace of Spades insignia on the aircraft.

Douglas SBD-2 Dauntless (BuNo. 2173), c/n 699.  Hangar 37.

(Simon sees Photo)

(JJ Messerly Photos)

Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless (BuNo. 36177), c/n 4816, B-23.

Douglas SBD-2 Dauntless (BuNo. 02173), being restored.

(Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Diana Quinlan, USN Photo)

(Tony Hisgett Photo)

Douglas C-47A Skytrain, USAAF (Serial No. 42-100486), "Cheeky Charlie", restoration project, ex Australian Reg. No. VH-ANX, now painted as (Serial No. 41-8949), Pel, Reg. No. N99131.

(Tony Hisgett Photo)

Douglas A3D/NTA-3B Skywarrior (BuNo. 144867).  Civil Reg. Nos. N577HA and later N877RS.  Hangar 79.

(Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor Photos)

General Dynamics F-111C Aardvark (Serial No. A8-130), c/n D1-6.  Hangar 79.  This aircraft was flown by the Royal Ausatralian Air Force and was one of the original two dozen F-111Cs purchased by Australia. This aircraft served with the RAAF from 1 June 1973 to 3 December 2010, before being shipped to Hawaii.

(Lepeu1999 Photo)

(Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor Photo)

Grumman F4F-3 Wildcat (BuNo. 12296), F-1, 1943, c/n 5956.  Hangar 37.

General Motors (Grumman) TBM-3E Avenger (BuNo. 91171), built in 1945, last flown in British Columbia as Reg. No. C-FBQT in 2004.  This aircraft is being painted in the colours of an Avenger flown by President George H.W. Bush during the Second World War.

(Simon sees Photo)

(Daniel Ramirez Photo)

Grumman F-14D Super Tomcat (BuNo. 163904), c/n 614/D-19, AJ-102.  Hangar 79.

Lockheed T-33A Shooting Star (Serial No. 18633).  Hangar 79.

Lockheed F-104A Starfighter (Serial No. 56-0817).  1958.  Hangar 79.  This aircraft was ordered in 1956 and delivered to the Air Force in July 1958.  It first served the 538th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Larson Base, Washington.  It also served at Taichung Air Force Base in Taiwan.  In 1963, it was transferred to the Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards Air Force Base in California.  There, it served as a support aircraft (chase plane).  It was retired in 1972.  In 1987, it moved to the Museum of Aviation at Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins, Georgia.  In May 2013, it arrived at its new home at the Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor.

(Tony Hisgett Photo)

McDonnell F-4C Phantom II (Serial No. 64-0792), c/n 1105, "Smoothie", painted in the colours it wore while serving with the 559th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 12th Tactical Fighter Wing at Cam Ranh Bay, South Vietnam.  Hangar 79.  Captain Frederick W. Siebert, The 792’s aircraft commander late in the war, named her Smoothie.  Although hit by ground fire four times, Smoothie survived the war.  This Phantom II protected Hawaii’s skies from 1978 until its retirement in 1987.

(TSgt. Shane A. Cuomo, USAF Photo)

McDonnell Douglas F-15A Eagle, 199th Fighter Squadron, 154th Wing, Hawaii Air National Guard, firing an AIM-7 Sparrow radar-guided air-to-air missile at a tactical air-launched decoy over Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, on 16 July 2006, during "Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2006".

(Daniel Ramirez Photo)

(Tony Hisgett Photo)

McDonnell Douglas F-15A Eagle (Serial No. 76-0063), 1977, c/n 0249/A215.  Hangar 79.

(Daniel Ramirez Photo)

(Author Photos)

(JJ Messerly Photo)

Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-15 Fagot (Serial No. 1524), c/n 1B01524.  This aircraft is actually a Polish LIM-2.  Hangar 79.

(Pacific Aviation Museum Photo)

(Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor Photos)

Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21PF Fishbed (Serial No.1304), c/n 761304, Reg. No. N5179Y, 1963, former Czech Air Force 1304, painted as Vietnamese Air Force 4326.  Hangar 79.

(Binksternet Photo)

Mitsubishi A6M2-21b Type 0 Reisen (Zero), BII-120, wreckage.  This aircraft flown by IJN Airman 1st Class Shigenori Nishikaichi, flying from the IJN Carrier Hiryu, took part in the second wave attack on Pearl Harbor.  He crash landed his bullet-damaged aircraft on the Island of Ni`hau.  The remains of his aircraft are displayed in a diorama inside the Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor, Hangar 37.

(Cliff - Flickr Photo)

(JJ Messerly Photo)

(Daniel Ramirez Photo)

Mitsubishi A6M2-21 Type 0 Reisen, (Serial No. 5356), front section recovered from the Solomon Islands and restored with parts from several other aircraft.  Currently painted to represent BII-120 which Naval Airman Shigenori Nishikaichi piloted from the aircraft carrier Hiryu, in the attack on Pearl Harbor.  He force-landed on the island of Niihau.  The original BII-120 was destroyed with some fragments remaining that are also on exhibit at Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor.

(USN Photo)

Nakajima B5N2 torpedo bomber tested by the U.S. Navy Naval Air Test Center Patuxent River, Maryland, in February 1943.

Nakajima B5N2 Kate (one of only two airframes in existence).  This torpedo bomber was surrendered by its pilot at Jacquinot Island, Papua, New Guinea, after a flight from Rabaul on 14 Oct 1945.

(Daniel Ramirez Photo)

North American T-6 Texan (Serial No.), USMC colours. Hangar 79.

(Daniel Ramirez Photos)

North American B-25J Mitchell (Serial No. 44-30077), Reg. No. N2848G, painted as B-25B Mitchell (Serial No. 40-2261), c/n 108-33352, which flew on the LCol Jimmy Doolittle raid against Japan, launched from the USS Hornet in April 1942.  Hangar 37.

(Daniel Ramirez Photo)

North American F-86F Sabre (Serial No. 51-2832), FU-832, c/n 227-115 “Nina”.  Previously this aircraft was (Serial No. 55-3930) and JASDF (Serial No. 62-7511).  Hangar 79.

(USAF Photo)

North American F-86L-50-NA Sabre (Serial No. 52-4270), 199th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, Hawaii Air National Guard, ca mid 1950s.

(Author Photo)

(Daniel Ramirez Photo)

North American F-86L Sabre Dog (Serial No. 52-4191), c/n 190-594, HI ANG colours.  Hangar 79.

(Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor Photo)

(Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Diana Quinlan, USN Photo)

North American F-100F Super Sabre (Serial No. 58-1232), camouflage, on loan from the NMUSAF.  Hangar 79.

(Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor Photos)

Northrop F-5A Freedom Fighter (Serial No. 63-8393), FA-393, c/n N6030, 1968, ROK colours.  Hangar 79.

(Jim Hoagland Photo)

Republic F-105G Thunderchief (Serial No. 62-4438), WA, c/n F27.  Originally built as an F-105F two-seat model, but modified to F-105G configuration as a "Wild Weasel", and equipped with radar-seeking missiles for use in the Viet Nam War.  This aircraft was previously with Warner Robins, Georgia, now with the Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor.

(Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor Photo)

Sikorsky SH-3H Sea King Helicopter (BuNo. 152700), NF-610, c/n 61356.  Hangar 79.

(Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor Photo)

Sikorsky H-34J Choctaw (BuNo. 148963), c/n 58-1366, 8963, on loan from the NMUSAF.  Hangar 79.

(Mark Miller Photo)

Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion Helicopter (BuNo.).  Hangar 79. The CH-53’s primary mission is to move cargo and equipment, but they play a key role in special operations, making rapid insertion and extraction of troops possible and effective. Navy RH-53Ds were used to sweep mined areas and tow ships. USAF HH-53 Super Jolly Green Giants saved many lives on rescue missions in Vietnam. In 1980 the USAF converted 53s to MH-53H/J/M Pave Low helicopters, (Pave: precision avionics vectoring equipment. Low: aircraft could fly close to the earth to avoid detection) and last flew in 2008. This CH-53D went to Vietnam, crashed in 1970, and returned to duty with the Marines, serving in all major conflicts, most recently Afghanistan in February 2012. It was retired from Heavy Marine Helicopter Squadron HMH-363 at Kaneohe Bay. The Marines have retired most CH-53Ds, depending on Super Stallion CH-53Es until the CH-53Ks arrive). Retired CH-53Ds used for firefighting are called Fire Stallions.

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(Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Mark Logico, USN Photo)

Sikorsky SH-60B Seahawk Helicopter (BuNo. 168348), on Ford Island next to the Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor, 16 Nov 2010. The helicopter reached the end of its service life cycle and is now part of the Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor.

Stinson L-5E/OY-1 Sentinel (Serial No. 44-18144), Reg. No. N62092, restoration project.

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