National Museum of Naval Aviation

The RV park we are staying in here in Alabama is only about 25 miles from Pensacola, FL home to NAS Pensacola and the greatest military museum we have ever visited. Even though the museum is on base at NAS Pensacola it is free and open to the public. This is not the first time we have been there, nor will it be the last! I have also posted a blog on the museum in the past, but here it is again!

               

H46…….

 

Old WWII Fighter with equally old person!

Huey Gunship…….. 

   Early amphibian…..

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bill served in HC1 and then HC3……….HC1 was so large that it was broken down into 4 new squadrons.

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These are a few of the aircraft still awaiting restoration in the “backyard” of the museum.

“Frog”

  Retired ‘Fat Albert’, Blue Angels support aircraft.

 

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Hanger One just opened a few weeks ago and is a long awaited addition to the museum. Note the ‘runway’ entry…..

Inside we found a P5M2, Martin Marlin (now called the SP-5B, Marlin). As a very young enlisted man, Bill was assigned to a patrol squadron which flew this plane.

 

Note how much it looks like a boat….in fact it did not have wheels. Wheels were floated out to the plane, attached and then the plane was towed out of the water.

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

Bill ‘enlightening’ other visitors about   the P5M2.

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We had lunch in the Cubi Bar Cafe, which is a replica of the Officer’s Club at NAS Cubi Point in the Philippines. When the base was closed many of the squadron plaques were saved and now hang in the cafe.

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While we were eating lunch, we watched while a crew moved one of planes on display as part of the constant updating of the museum.

It is truly a magnificent museum and we love visiting there every time we are in the area. If you are in the area be sure to save a day (or maybe two) to learn about our naval history and the brave men who have served so honorably.

Just Us Kids…………..Remembering