Warplanes of the USA: New York, USS Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

New York Warplanes,

Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

(Autopilot Photo)

USS Intrepid (CV/CVA/CVS-11), also known as The Fighting I, is one of 24 Essex-class aircraft carriers built during the Second World War for the United States Navy.  She is the fourth US Navy ship to bear the name.  Commissioned in August 1943, Intrepid participated in several campaigns in the Pacific Theater of Operations, most notably the Battle of Leyte Gulf.  Decommissioned shortly after the end of the war, she was modernized and recommissioned in the early 1950s as an attack carrier (CVA), and then eventually became an antisubmarine carrier (CVS).  In her second career, she served mainly in the Atlantic, but also participated in the Vietnam War.  Her notable achievements include being the recovery ship for a Mercury and a Gemini space mission.  Because of her prominent role in battle, she was nicknamed "the Fighting I", while her often ill-luck and the time spent in dry dock for repairs earned her the nickname "the Dry I".  Decommissioned in 1974, in 1982 Intrepid became the foundation of the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum in New York City.

New York, Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, West side of Manhattan on Pier 86, 12th Ave. & 46th Street.

(Alan Wilson Photo)

(Tony Hisgett Photo)

Aermacchi MB-339PAN (Serial No. MM54439), C/N 6598/005/AD001, Italy.

(Jorge Láscar Photo)

(EdChem Photo)

BAC Concorde (Serial No. 210), Reg. No. G-BOAD, UK.

(Alan Wilson Photo)

Beechcraft T-34A Mentor (Serial No.), C/N G-283, Reg. No. N34Z.

Bell OH-13S Sioux Helicopter (Serial No. 64-15393).

(Alan Wilson Photo)

Bell UH-1A Iroquois (Serial No. 59-1621) c/n 80, Bell AH-1J Cobra (Serial No. 159218, c/n 26058), Sikorsky HO4S-3 Chickasaw  (Serial No. 1308) painted as (Serial No. 129040), and Sikorsky HH-52A Seaguard (Serial No. 1429), c/n 62.117.

(Alan Wilson Photo)

(GordonMakryllos Photo)

Bell UH-1A Iroquois Helicopter (Serial No. 59-1621), 30257, C/N 80.

Bell UH-1M Iroquois Helicopter (Serial No. 66-15076), 30257, C/N 1804.

Bell UH-1V Iroquois Helicopter (Serial No.).

(Niesy74 Photo)

Bell AH-1F Cobra Helicopter (Serial No. 70-15956), C/N 20900.

Bell AH-1G Cobra Helicopter (Serial No. 70-159220).

(Gind2005 Photo)

(Alan Wilson Photo)

(GordonMakryllos Photo)

Bell AH-1J Sea Cobra Helicopter (BuNo. 159218), 704, C/N 26058.

Curtiss SB2C-5 Helldiver from Bombing Squadron 10 (VB-10), Carrier Air Group 10 (CVG-10), assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid (CV-11), in flight over Tianjin, China, as the city is reoccupied by the Allies, 5 September 1945. Note USS Intepid´s geometric carrier air group identification symbol on the SB2C.  (USN Photo)

Curtiss SB2C-3 Helldiver (BuNo.).

(Eric Salard Photo)

(Ad Meskens Photo)

(GordonMakryllos Photo)

Dassault Etendard IVM (Serial No. 60).

(Photographer's Mate First Class Wilcox, USN Photo)

A U.S. Navy Douglas AD-5 Skyraider (BuNo. 134976) from Attack Squadron 85 (VA-85) taxies forward after landing on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid (CVA-11) on 20 April 1956.  Note the squadron insignia under the cockpit . VA-85 was assigned to Carrier Air Group 8 (CVG-8) aboard the Intrepid for a deployment to the Mediterranean Sea from 12 March to 5 September 1956.

Douglas A-1J Skyraider (BuNo. 142028) of Attack Squadron 176 (VA-176) "Thunderbolts" in flight.  VA-176 was assigned to Attack Carrier Air Wing 10 (CVW-10) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid (CVS-11) for a deployment to Vietnam from 4 April to 21 November 1966.  (NMNA Photo)

(Gfeola Photo)

A U.S. Navy Douglas EA-1F Skyraider from Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 33 (VAW-33) Det.11 "Knight Hawks" starts its engine aboard the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid (CVS-11), in 1967.  VAW-33 Det.11 was assigned to Attack Carrier Air Wing 10 (CVW-10) aboard the USS Intrepid for a deployment to Vietnam from 11 May to 30 December 1967.

(Author Photo)

(Author Photo)

(Author Photo)

(Alan Wilson Photo)

Douglas XAD-1 Skyraider (BuNo. 09102), AJ-501, C/N 1930.   This is one of the prototype Skyraiders which were originally designated XBT2D-1 and were given Bureau numbers from a cancelled batch of SB2D-1 Destroyers.  Previously part of the gate collection at NAS Oceana, Virginia, it is now on display, still in VA-15 markings, on the deck of USS Intrepid.

(USN Photo)

Douglas XA3D-1 Skywarrior (BuNo. 125413), NL-908, C/N 2/7589.

(USN Photo)

Douglas F4D-1 Skyrays of VMF (AW)-115 over the Mediterranean Sea in 1962.

(Author Photos)

(Carol M. Highsmith Archive Photo)

Douglas F-6 Skyray (BuNo. 134836).  Previously with the New England Air Museum in Connecticut, this aircraft was transferred to the USSIntrepid on 27 July 2021.

(Jorge Láscar Photo)

(Finkton Photo)

Douglas A-4B Skyhawk (BuNo. 142833), AK-512, C/N 11895.

(NMNA Photo)

A U.S. Navy Douglas A-4E Skyhawk (BuNo. 150022) from Attack Squadron VA-45 Det.1 "Blackbirds" aboard the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid (CVS-11) in 1971 . VA-45 Det.1 was assigned to Carrier Anti-Subarine Air Group 56 aboard the USS Intrepid for a deployment to the North Atlantic Ocean from 11 July to 15 October 1972.

(USN Photo)

Douglas A-4E Skyhawk (BuNo. 152069) attack plane from Attack Squadron 106 (VA-106) "Gladiators" is brought to the launching position on a steam catapult aboard the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid (CVS-11), during flight operations in the Gulf of Tonkin, September 1968.  Note the nosewheel steering bar in use.  Although being classified as an anti-submarine carrier, Intrepid made three deployments to Vietnam as an attack carrier with Attack Carrier Air Wing Ten (CVW-10) embarked, the one when the photo was taken, from 4 June 1968 to 8 February 1969, being the last one.

Douglas A-4B Skyhawk (Serial No. 11984).

Douglas F3D-2 Skyknight (BuNo. 127072) of Fighter Squadron VF-14 Top Hatters, Air Task Group 201 (ATG-201), approaching the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid (CVA-11) during operations in the Western Atlantic between September and November 1954.  (USN Photo)

(Tony Hisgett Photo)

Douglas F3D-2T Skyknight (BuNo. 127074), WF-2, 409, C/N 8132.

(Niesey74 Photo)

(Ad Meskens Photo)

(Eric Salard Photo)

General Dynamics F-16A Fighting Falcon (Serial No. 79-0403), NY, C/N 61-188.

(Eric Salard Photo)

(Ad Meskens Photo)

(Alan Wilson Photo)

(Ad Meskens Photo)

Grumman (General Motors) TBM-3E Avenger (BuNo. 53842), 2, C/N 3904.

Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat from Fighting Squadron 9 (VF-9) is given the go-ahead for takeoff from the aircraft carrier USS Essex (CV-9) on the first day of "Operation Hailstone".   The USS Intrepid (CV-11) is another Essex-class carrier.  (USN Photo)

Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat (BuNo.).

(Tony Quist Photo)

Grumman F9F-8 Cougar (BuNo. 141124) approaches for a landing.  This is a model aircraft painted in the colours of Fighter Squadron 61 (VF-61) "Jolly Rogers" by Tony Quist.  VF-61 was assigned to Carrier Air Group 8 (CVG-8) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid (CVA-11) for a deployment to the Mediterranean Sea from 12 March to 15 September 1956.  Note the AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles under the wings (not used by this aircraft during its carrier service).

Grumman F9F-8 Cougar (BuNo. 141124) of Fighter Squadron 61 (VF-61) "Jolly Rogers" on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid (CVA-11), 25 April 1956. Note the squadron insignia under the cockpit. VF-61 was assigned to Carrier Air Group 8 (CVG-8) aboard the Intrepid for a deployment to the Mediterranean Sea from 12 March to 5 September 1956.  (USN Photo)

Grumman F9F-8 Cougar (BuNo. 141092) of Fighter Squadron 61 (VF-61) "Jolly Rogers" is positioned on the port catapult of the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid (CVA-11), 20 April 1956. Note the squadron insignia under the cockpit. VF-61 was assigned to Carrier Air Group 8 (CVG-8) aboard the Intrepid for a deployment to the Mediterranean Sea from 12 March to 5 September 1956.  (Photographer's Mate First Class Wilcox, USN Photo)

(Alan Wilson Photo)

(Bjoertvet Photo)

(GordonMakryllos Photo)

Grumman F-9J Cougar (BuNo. 141117), E-210, F-9F-8, VF-61.   This Courgar is on loan from the National Museum of Naval Aviation.  It was built in Grumman's Bethpage factory in 1955 and retired from active service in 1965.  It previously served as a gate guard for Naval Weapons Station Earle, and later was displayed at a playground in Wall Township, New Jersey.

(USN Photo)

A U.S. Navy Grumman S-2E Tracker (BuNo. 152798) of Anti-Submarine Squadron 31 (VS-31) "Topcats" is hoisted aboard the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid (CVS-11) from the pier at Naval Air Station Quonset Point, Rhode Island, on 30 September 1969.

(Ad Meskens Photo)

Grumman TS-2A Tracker (BuNo. 133264), C/N 235, AF-405. S-2F.

(Ad Meskens Photo)

(Ad Meskens Photo)

(Tony Hisgett Photo)

(GordonMakryllos Photos)

Grumman E-1B Tracer (BuNo. 147212), C/N 11, AU-773, AF-010.

Grumman HU-16E Albatross, USCG (Serial No. 7250),ex USAF 51-7250) from USCG Air Station Cape Cod, Massachusetts, ca 1970s.  (USCG Photo)

Grumman HU-16E Albatross (Serial No. 51-7216), painted as USCG (Serial No. 7216), C/N G-292.

(Hector Vazquez Photo)

Grumman F11F-1 Tiger (BuNo. 141783), AF-210.

(Ad Meskens Photo)

(Ad Meskens Photo)

(GordonMakryllos Photo)

Grumman F11F-1 Tiger (BuNo, 141824), C/N 141, painted as (BuNo. 141884), C/N 201, Blue Angel No. 5.

(Tony Hisgett Photo)

(Tony Hisgett Photo)

Grumman A-6F Intruder (BuNo. 162865).

Grumman A-6F Intruder (BuNo. 162185), C/N I-678.

Grumman YA-6A Intruder (BuNo. 147867).

Grumman F-14B Tomcat prototype (BuNo. 157986) in flight.  (NMNA Photo)

(Niesey74 Photo)

(GordonMakryllos Photo)

Grumman F-14B Super Tomcat (BuNo. 157986), C/N 7/P-1.  7th Tomcat built, retained as research and development airframe.

(Alan Wilson Photo)

(Jorge Láscar Photo)

(Ad Meskens Photo)

(GordonMakryllos Photo)

Hawker Siddeley AV-8C Harrier (BuNo. 159232), 601, C/N 712141.

(Alan Wilson Photo)

(Niesey74 Photo)

(Ad Meskens Photo)

Israel Aircraft Industries F-21A Kfir (Serial No. C-2 999734), Israel.  This aircraft carries the markings of an Israeli AF Squadron and the US Navy and USMC squadrons that flew it

Lockheed P2V-7 Neptune (BuNo. 148352) of patrol squadron VP-56 Dragons, deploying to South America for exercise "Unitas IV" on 6 August 1963.

Lockheed P2V-7 Neptune (BuNo. 148352) of patrol squadron VP-56 Dragons, deploying to South America for exercise "Unitas IV" on 6 August 1963.  (USN Photo)

Lockheed SP-2E Neptune (BuNo. 131542).

(Jorge Lascar Photo)

(Niesey74 Photo)

(Ad Meskens Photo)

(Ad Meskens Photo)

Lockheed A-12 Blackbird (Serial No. 60-6925), C/N 122.  This reconnaissance aircraft was built for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) by Lockheed's famed Skunk Works, based on the designs of Clarence "Kelly" Johnson.  The A-12 was produced from 1962 to 1964, and was in operation from 1963 until 1968.  The single-seat design, which first flew in April 1962, was the precursor to both the twin-seat U.S. Air Force YF-12 prototype interceptor and the famous SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance aircraft . The aircraft's final mission was flown in May 1968, and the program and aircraft retired in June of that year.

Navy Ling-Temco-Vought A-7E-5-CV Corsair II (BuNo. 156863) of Attack Squadron 146 (VA-146) "Blue Diamonds" in flight on 16 November 1974.  (Robert L. Lawson, USN Photo)

LTV A-7E Corsair II (BuNo. 159268), C/N E-339, AE-401.

McDonnell F3H -1N Demon (BuNo. 133492), 104 and F3H-2/F-3B Demon (BuNo. 146715), 105, Fighter Squadron VF-13 "Night Cappers" in flight.  (NMNA Photo)

McDonnell F3H-2N Demon in flight, 4 June 1956.  (NMNA Photo)

(Max Smith Photo)

(Alan Wilson Photo)

(GordonMakryllos Photo)

McDonnell F3H-2N Demon (BuNo. 146739), painted as (BuNo. 133566, C/N 78, E, AF-105.

(Paul from UK Photo)

(Alan Wilson Photo)

(Ad Meskens Photo)

(Eric Salard Photo)

McDonnell-Douglas F-4N Phantom II (BuNo. 150628), NK-101, C/N 286, WS-10, VMF A-323.

(Ad Meskens Photo)

(Neuweiser Photo)

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 Fagot (Serial No. 624), NKAF.

(Eric Salard Photo)

(GordonMakryllos Photos)

(Ad Meskens Photo)

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17F Fresco/PZL Mielec Lim-5 (Serial No. 0327), NVAF.

(Ad Meskens Photo)

(Alan Wilson Photo)

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21PFM Fishbed J (Serial No. 4105), C/N 94A4105.  This aircraft is a Polish MiG-21 which flew with the 10th Interceptor Regiment, charged with the defence of Warsaw.  It was painted in the colours of the Polish fighters participating in the NATO Tiger Meet.  It is currently on display in false Vietnam People’s Air Force (NVAF) markings.

North American FJ-3 Fury fighter (BuNo 136134) from Marine Fighter Squadron VMF-122 Crusaders, 30 July 1956.  (NMNA Photo)

North American FJ-3 Fury of VC-3.  (Bill Larkins Photo)

North American FJ-3M Fury (BuNo. 141435) of Fighter Squadron VF-73 "Jesters" after landing aboard the aircraft carrier USS Randolph (CVA-15), in 1957.  (NMNA Photo)

(Alan Wilson Photo)

(Alan Wilson Photo)

North American FJ-3 Fury (BuNo. 135868), AF-203, C/N 194-95, B-101, VF-191.  F-1C.

North American RA-5C Vigilante of RVAH-1 landing on USS Saratoga (CVA-60), 1 April 1969.  (USN Photo)

North American RA-5C Vigilante (BuNo. 156621), C/N 316-14, GJ-303.

Northrop Aviation YF-17 technology demonstrator aircraft in flight research program at NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California, 31 Dec 1975.  (NASA Photo)

Northrop YF-17 Cobra (Serial No.).

Piasecki HUP-2 Retriever from Helicopter Utility Squadron 2 (HU-2) Det.33 "Fleet Angels" aboard the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid (CVA-11).  HU-2 Det.33 was assigned to Air Task Group 181 (ATG-181) aboard the Intrepid for a deployment to the North Atlantic from 9 June to 8 August 1958.  (USN Photo)

(Alan Wilson Photo)

(Ad Meskens Photo)

(Paul from UK Photo)

Piasecki HUP-2 Retriever (BuNo. 128519), HU-69, PV-18.

Piasecki Vertol CH-21C Shawnee (Serial No. 56-2133), US Army.  (US Army Photo)

Piasecki-Vertol H-21C Shawnee (Serial No. 55-4140), C/N C.94.

Republic F-84F-50-RE Thunderstreak (Serial No. 52-6852) of the 91st Fighter-Bomber Squadron, RAF Bentwaters UK, 31 Dec 1956.  (USGOV-PD Photo)

Republic F-84F Thunderstreak (Serial No. 51-1658).

Republic F-84F Thunderstreak (Serial No. 51-9430).

Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a. ca 1918.  (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3390895)

Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a (Serial No.).

(Tony Hisgett Photo)

Sikorsky HO4S-3G (H-19C) Chickasaw Helicopter, USCG (Serial No. 1308), 95, C/N 55-729.

(Utzli Photo)

(Alan Wilson Photo)

Sikorsky S-55D Helicopter, Reg. No. N16861.

Sikorsky CH-34C Choctaw Helicopter (Serial No. 57-7143), US Army.  (US Army Photo)

Sikorsky CH-34C Choctaw Helicopter (Serial No. 57-1698), C/N 58-0842, YL-79, painted as (BuNo. 144275).

(Ad Meskens Photo)

(Alan Wilson Photo)

Sikorsky HH-52A Seaguard Helicopter, USCG (Serial No. 1429), 84-8047, C/N 62117.

(Paul from UK Photos)

Supermarine F.1 Scimitar (Serial No. XD220), 608, UK.

(Ad Meskens Photo)

(Alan Wilson Photo)

Vought F-8K Crusader (BuNo. 145550), AK-102, 00.

Vought F-8K Crusader (BuNo. 159268).

Spacecraft

A US Coast Guard Sikorsky HH-52A Seaguard helicopter over the Gemini 3 space capsule flown by astronauts Gus Grissom and John Young after it splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean, 23 March 1965.  The aircraft carrier USS Intrepid (CVS-11) recovered the craft and crew.  (Cdr. John C. Redfield, USCGR (Ret), NMNA Photo)

Gemini-3 spacecraft, with flotation collar still attached, is shown being hoisted aboard the USS Intrepid during recovery operations following the successful Gemini-Titan 3 flight, 23 Mar 1965.  (NASA Photo)

Gemini 3, replica, Aurora 7.

Space Shuttle Enterprise in launch position at the Vandenberg AFB Space Launch Complex 6 (commonly known as "SLICK 6"), in California, during the ready-to-launch checks to verify launch procedures, 1 Feb 1985.  (Tech. Sgt. James R Pearson, USAF Photo)

Space Shuttle prototype Enterprise flying free after being released from NASA's 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) during one of five free flights carried out at the Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, California in 1977, as part of the Shuttle program's Approach and Landing Tests (ALT).  The tests were conducted to verify orbiter aerodynamics and handling characteristics in preparation for orbital flights with the Space Shuttle Columbia.  A tail cone over the main engine area of Enterprise smoothed out turbulent airflow during flight.  It was removed on the two last free flights to accurately check approach and landing characteristics.  (NASA Photo)

(NASA/Bill Ingalls Photo)

Space Shuttle Enterprise is lifted off of a barge and onto the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum.

(Glenn Research Center Photo)

Space Shuttle Enterprise.

USS Intrepid (CV-11)

(USN Photo)

USS Intrepid (CV-11) operating in the Philippine Sea in November 1944.  Note the Grumman F6F Hellcat fighter parked on an outrigger forward of her island.

(USN Photo)

USS Intrepid (CV-11) engaged in flight operations as viewed from the backseat of an Curtiss SB2C Helldiver during the Battle of Leyte Gulf.  Another SB2C from Bombing Squadron VB-18 is launching from the carrier.  Note the battleship in the distance.

(V.O. McColley, USN Photo)

USS Intrepid (CVS-11) steaming in the South China Sea on 13 September 1966, with aircraft of Attack Carrier Air Wing 10 (CVW-10) parked on the flight deck.  CVW-10 was assigned to the USS Intrepid for a deployment to Vietnam from 4 April to 21 November 1966.

(NMNA Photo)

USS Intrepid (CVS-11) underway in the early 1970s with aircraft of Carrier Anti-Submarine Air Group 56 (CVSG-56) on deck.  Visible are nine Grumman S-2 Tracker ASW aircraft, two Grumman E-1B Tracer AEW aircraft and a single Sikorsky SH-3D Sea King helicopter.

(USN Photo)

USS Intrepid (CVA-11) operating off Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, 9 February 1955, shortly after her SCB-27C modernization.  McDonnell F2H Banshee jet fighters are on her flight deck.

(PHCS K. Shrader, USN Photo)

USS Intrepid (CVS-11) underway in the South China Sea on 15 November 1968.  Although being classified as an anti-submarine carrier, USS Intrepid made three deployments to Vietnam as an attack carrier with Attack Carrier Air Wing 10 (CVW-10) embarked, the one when the photo was taken, from 4 June 1968 to 8 February 1969, being the last one.

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