Lose Yourself in Naval Aviation History

The National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida

The Spirit of Naval Aviators from WWI to Desert Storm

Life size bronze statues of pilots from World War I, World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam and Desert Storm gather on a rough marble slab. The pilot from WWII demonstrates how he shot down Japanese and German planes. You can see in their faces they understand. A biplane hangs overhead and behind them, the American flag. Welcome to the National Naval Aviation Museum. 

Celebrating 50 years in 2013, the National Naval Aviation Museum has lots of exhibits and planes to see. Wander through rooms filled with planes from the past. See some of the retired Blue Angel planes hung from the ceiling above the atrium. With over 350,000 square feet of planes, helicopters, memorabilia, short films and exhibits; it could take you several days to see it all.

Welcome to the National Naval Aviation Museum

Blue Angel Planes

The NC-4 and Hangar Bay One

One of the most impressive planes is the NC-4. The building was built around the Navy/Curtiss when it was donated to the museum, because it's so big. This was the first plane to cross the Atlantic. Back in 1919, she flew 3000 miles in 19 days with LCDR A.C. Read, USN in charge. Built to be an antisubmarine aircraft, her wingspan is 126 feet; she's 68 feet long and weighs 15,900 pounds empty. Under one of her wings is a walk-in history display with ariel photographs and a movie about her flight across the Atlantic. Under the other wing is a full size biplane.

The NC 4: First Plane to Cross the Atlantic

Hangar Bay One has an impressive display of Coast Guard aircraft. Several different helicopters like the Sikorsky HO3S-1, the HNS Hoverfly, the RD Dolphin, as well as other planes are there. A Lunar Excursion Module and Marine One Presidential helicopter are also on display. There are many other small exhibits on the premises. Walk through a bamboo wall with palm frauns for a roof and experience life in a Vietnam prison camp. Check out the actual artifacts from some of the prisoners. They include: poetry, architectural drawings, clothing, how they made pencils last and even a needle made from a piece of copper. Read about where they got the thread they used to repair their uniforms.

Inside Sky Lab 2

Vietnam POW pencil and needle

Learn more through available tours

Join one of the free 45-minute guided tours held throughout the day. Learn about Naval Aviation history from retired military personnel and volunteers. If you prefer, you can download their mobile app for .99 and learn at your own pace. On the second level, interactive tours begin above the Cubi Bar Cafe. Some of theexhibits on these tours include:

- The frictionless air track - demonstrating Newton's three laws of motion

- A space scale - see what you'd weigh on different planets, if you dare

- A wind tunnel - shows you how a wing produces lift with Bernoulli's Principle

George H.W. Bush, Space Lab 2 and the Wall of Honor

While you're upstairs, visit the George H. W. Bush exhibit and see our 41st president's naval aviation history. Peek inside the Space Lab 2 capsule. Could you live in something so small? I couldn't. Then check out some of the space suits. The oldest one there is from 1953. Another impressive exhibit on the second level is the Wall of Honor. Naval Aviators are remembered with a bronze plaque listing their extraordinary accomplishments.

Some of the other attractions are:

- an IMAX Theater and a few other exhibits like the 3D flight simulator charge a fee

- a flight line trolley tour: free 45-minute tour of about 50 aircraft displayed behind restoration hangar

- National Flight Academy - right next door. They have programs for students as well as adults.

- Emil Buehler library and archives open M-F from 9am-4pm

The museum is located inside Naval Air Station, Pensacola. If you are a civilian, don't worry; you can get on base by showing your ID, like your driver's license. Follow the signs to the museum at 1750 Radford Blvd. Admission and parking are free for the museum. Hours of operation are 9am - 5pm daily and the store is open from 9:30am - 5pm. IMAX shows start at10am with the last show beginning at 4pm.