National Naval Aviation Museum

Overview

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, the control gondola and tail fin of the K-class blimp K-47, 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 300000 sqft of exhibit space and outside on its 37 acre grounds.

The museum also functions in coordination with the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIRSYSCOM or NAVAIR) as the Navy's program manager for nearly all other retired Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard aircraft on display aboard U.S. military installations in the United States or overseas, or in numerous other museums or public displays. In a similar manner to U.S. Air Force aircraft on loan from the NMUSAF's collection that remain under official USAF ownership, these other American-preserved naval aircraft remain the property of the Department of the Navy and are typically identified at these locations as being "On Loan from the National Naval Aviation Museum."

The museum has a Giant Screen Theater, flight simulators, Blue Angels 4D Experience, museum store, and cafe. The Cubi Point Café displays squadron memorabilia from the closed NAS Cubi Point Officers' Club.

Emil Buehler Naval Aviation Library

The museum houses the Emil Buehler Naval Aviation Library. Established in 1992 with funding from the Emil Buehler Trust, it serves as a non-circulating repository for the National Naval Aviation Museum and is considered one of the richest sources of Naval history in the United States. The library's namesake, Emil Buehler, was an aviation pioneer who funded a philanthropic trust and education programs in colleges throughout Florida and the eastern United States. The library holds artifacts and special collections of items from people and events of importance to the history of aviation in America and naval history. The collection contains books, oral histories, pictures, manuscripts, technical manuals and about 400,000 photographs, many of which are searchable and organized. The library's special collections include a sampling of the earliest tales gathered by members of the Brown Shoe Project, who have compiled stories and histories of aviation squadrons that flew missions during the Korean War. It hosts commemorations such as the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing in 2019.  The library holds Buzz Aldrin’s flight training records from the early days of his Naval career.

National Flight Academy

Adjacent to the museum and library is the National Flight Academy, a four-story simulated aircraft carrier housing over 30 networked flight simulators. Throughout the summer, more than 200 students per week (7th through 12th grade) from across the nation attend the National Flight Academy's 6-day program, designed to inspire attendees to pursue a future in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).

The museum is supported by a 501(c)(3) educational non-profit organization, the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation. Since 1966, this foundation has raised tens of millions of dollars to construct the museum, build exhibits, recover and restore aircraft, and develop educational programs like the National Flight Academy.

Practice demonstrations by the United States Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, may be viewed from the museum most Tuesday and Wednesday mornings between March and November. These practices are weather permitting, and a tentative practice schedule may be viewed on the Blue Angels' website.

Captain Robert L. Rasmussen, a retired Navy captain, former Navy fighter pilot and former Blue Angels demonstration pilot, served as museum director for 27 years and reported to the Naval History & Heritage Command. Also an artist, some of his works are displayed in the museum. Captain Rasmussen retired as director in 2014 and was replaced by Captain Sterling Gilliam, Jr.

History

The museum was established 14 December 1962 in a cramped 8500 sqft building erected during World War II. It was dedicated in June 1963.

Construction of the current facility began in November 1972. The Phase I portion opened in November 1974 and was dedicated on 13 April 1975 . The Phase II portion was completed in 1980, and the Phase III portion in 1990. In the meantime, it had been renamed the National Museum of Naval Aviation in May 1989.

The museum and some of its aircraft on display outside were damaged by Hurricane Ivan in September 2004.

In 2019, after a gunman killed three people and injured eight more at the air station, the museum and other National Park attractions were closed to the public.

In 2020, the museum was closed for seven months during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2021, museum officials were reported to be planning to reopen the museum to the public.

In 2022, discussions began on converting portions of existing roads to create a dedicated access corridor to the museum.

On 3 May 2023, the museum announced that it would once again be open to the general public after three and a half years on 17 May 2023. Visitors must provide a valid state-issued I.D.https://navalaviationmuseum.org/plan-your-visit/

The museum opened a new exhibit about naval aerospace medicine in October 2024.

Collection

Airplanes

• Beechcraft GB-2 Traveler – USN BuNo 23688
• Beechcraft SNB-5P Expeditor
• Beechcraft T-34B Mentor – USN BuNo 161842
• Beechcraft T-34C Turbo-Mentor – USN BuNo 161842
• Boeing P-12F – USAAC s/n 32-92 (displayed as F4B-4)
• Brewster Bermuda Mk.1 – RAF s/n FF860 (displayed as SB2A Buccaneer)
• Cessna UC-78B Bobcat – USAAF s/n 43-7995 (displayed as JRC-1 Bobcat BuNo 63426)
• Cessna O-1G Bird Dog – RVNAF s/n 5L-14981
• Consolidated N2Y-1 – USN BuNo A8605
• Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina – USN BuNo 08317 (suspended)
• Consolidated Catalina Mk.IB – RAF s/n FP216 (cutaway)
• Consolidated PBY Catalina (flight line)
• Consolidated PB2Y-5R Coronado – USN BuNo 7099
• Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer
• Convair C-131 Samaritan
• Curtiss A-1 Triad (replica)
• Curtiss BFC-2 Goshawk – USN BuNo 9332
• Curtiss P-1 Hawk – c/n 60 (displayed as F6C-1 BuNo A6969)
• Curtiss F7C-1 Seahawk – USMC BuNo A7667
• Curtiss JN-4D Jenny – USN BuNo A995
• Naval Aircraft Factory Model MF – USN BuNo A5483
• Curtiss NC-4 – USN BuNo A2294
• Curtiss N2C-2 Fledgling – USN BuNo A8529
• Curtiss Tomahawk Mk.IIB – VVS s/n 7 (displayed in Flying Tigers markings)
• Curtiss-Wright R5C Commando
• Curtiss-Wright SNC-1 Falcon – USN BuNo 05194
• de Havilland Canada NU-1B Otter
• Douglas EA-1F Skyraider – USN BuNo 135300
• Douglas A-1H Skyraider – USN BuNo 135300
• Douglas NA-3A Skywarrior – USN BuNo 135418
• Douglas A-4A Skyhawk
• Douglas A-4E Skyhawk
• Douglas A-4E/F Skyhawk (four in Blue Angels markings)
• Douglas R4D-5L Skytrain
• Douglas C-117D (R4D-8) Skytrain
• Douglas R6D/C-118 Liftmaster
• Douglas RD-4 Dolphin
• Douglas F3D Skyknight
• Douglas F4D-1 Skyray
• Douglas D-558-1 Skystreak
• Douglas JD Invader
• Douglas SBD-2 Dauntless (Midway veteran)
• Douglas SBD Dauntless (underwater display)
• Fokker D.VII
• Ford RR-5 Trimotor
• General Dynamics F-16N Viper
• General Motors FM-2 Wildcat (quarterdeck)
• General Motors FM-2 Wildcat (Pacific island)
• General Motors TBM-3E Avenger
• Goodyear FG-1D Corsair
• Grumman A-6E Intruder
• Grumman AF Guardian
• Grumman C-1 Trader
• Grumman E-1 Tracer
• Grumman E-2C Hawkeye
• Grumman G-23 (restored as FF-1)
• Grumman F3F-2
• Grumman F4F Wildcat (underwater display)
• Grumman F4F-3 Wildcat
• Grumman F4F-3A Wildcat
• Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat
• Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat
• Grumman F7F Tigercat
• Grumman F8F Bearcat
• Grumman F9F-2 Panther
• Grumman F9F-6 Cougar
• Grumman F9F-8 Cougar
• Grumman F11F-1 Tiger
• Grumman YF-14A Tomcat (Pedestal outside)
• Grumman F-14D(R) Tomcat
• Grumman HU-16 Albatross
• Grumman J2F Duck
• Grumman J4F Widgeon
• Grumman JRF Goose
• Grumman S2F Tracker
• Grumman TC-4C Academe
• Hanriot HD.1
• Hawker Siddeley AV-8C Harrier
• Interstate TDR
• Kawanishi N1K2 Shiden
• Lockheed C-130T Hercules (Fat Albert)
• Lockheed EC-121 Warning Star
• Lockheed KC-130F Hercules
• Lockheed L-10 Electra
• Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon
• Lockheed P2V-1 Neptune (Truculent Turtle)
• Lockheed P2V-7/SP-2H Neptune
• Lockheed P-3A Orion
• Lockheed S-3B Viking (ex-Navy One)
• Lockheed TV-2
• Martin AM Mauler
• Martin SP-5B Marlin
• McDonnell FH-1 Phantom
• McDonnell F2H-2P Banshee
• McDonnell F2H-4 Banshee
• McDonnell F3H-2M Demon
• McDonnell Douglas C-9 Skytrain II
• McDonnell-Douglas F-4N Phantom II
• McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A Hornet (Blue Angels)
• McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Hornet
• McDonnell-Douglas RF-4B Phantom II
• Messerschmitt Me 262
• Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15
• Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21
• Mitsubishi A6M Zero
• Naval Aircraft Factory N3N-3 Canary (wheels)
• Naval Aircraft Factory N3N-3 Canary (floats)
• New Standard NT-1
• Nieuport 28 C.1
• North American AJ Savage
• North American FJ-2 Fury
• North American FJ-4 Fury
• North American B-25J Mitchell
• North American RA-5C Vigilante
• North American SNJ-5C Texan
• North American SNJ Texan (Cutaway)
• North American T-2 Buckeye
• North American T-28 Trojan
• North American T-39 Sabreliner
• Northrop T-38A Talon
• Ryan NR-1 Recruit
• Schweizer LNS-1
• Sopwith F.1 Camel
• Stearman N2S-3 Kaydet
• Temco TT-1 Pinto
• Thomas-Morse S-4C Scout
• Timm N2T Tutor
• Vought A-7E Corsair II
• Vought F4U-1 Corsair
• Vought F4U-4 Corsair (replica)
• Vought F6U Pirate
• Vought F7U-3M Cutlass
• Vought F-8A Crusader
• Vought OS2U Kingfisher
• Vought SB2U-2 Vindicator
• Vultee SNV Valiant

Gliders

• Franklin PS-2

Helicopters

• Bell AH-1W SuperCobra
• Bell HTL-4 Sioux
• Bell HTL Sioux
• Bell HH-1K Iroquois
• Bell TH-57 Sea Ranger
• Boeing CH-46D Sea Knight
• Hiller HTE
• Kaman SH-2F Seasprite
• Piasecki HUP Retriever
• Sikorsky VH-3A Sea King
• Sikorsky HH-3F Pelican
• Sikorsky CH-37 Mojave
• Sikorsky HH-52A Sea Guard
• Sikorsky CH-53D Sea Stallion
• Sikorsky SH-60B Seahawk
• Sikorsky HNS Hoverfly
• Sikorsky HO3S-1G
• Sikorsky HO5S
• Sikorsky HSS/HUS Seabat/Seahorse

Airships

• Goodyear K-47 control car
• Goodyear L-8 control car
• Goodyear ZPG-2 control car

Spacecraft

• Apollo Command Module (Skylab 2)
• Apollo Lunar Module (replica)

References

References

1. (20 May 2022). "Calls to restore NAS Pensacola access are growing and supporters want Washington to notice". Pensacola News Journal.
2. Coleman, J. F., "Welcome Aboard the New Naval Aviation Museum", ''All Hands - The Magazine of the U.S. Navy'', Department of the Navy, Washington, D.C., April 1975, Volume 52, Issue Number 699, pages 3-4.
3. "CUBI BAR CAFÉ".
4. "Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust – Foundation Grants – Wells Fargo".
5. "The History of the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation and the National Museum of Naval Aviation".
6. "Emil Buehler Library".
7. "Emil Buehler Aerospace Lab {{!}} Rutgers University, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering".
8. Rubin, Mary. "UCF Research Guides: Florida Archives and Manuscripts Repositories: Escambia".
9. "The National Naval Aviation Museum {{!}} The Sextant".
10. "History of the Brown Shoes Project {{!}} The Brown Shoes Project".
11. Museum, National Naval Aviation. "National Naval Aviation Museum Commemorates Apollo 11 50th Anniversary with Weekend Celebration Saturday, July 20 and Sunday, July 21".
12. Gabriel, Melissa Nelson. "Archivist at Naval Aviation Museum is history keeper".
13. "WELCOME ABOARD".
14. "[Homepage]".
15. "Naval Aviation Art Gallery".
16. "Spirit of Naval Aviation".
17. (1 January 2016). "National Naval Aviation Museum welcomes new director". Pensacola News Journal.
18. "The History of the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation and the National Museum of Naval Aviation".
19. (12 November 1989). "More Aircraft, Space in Store for Museum". Pensacola New Journal.
20. (23 September 2004). "Damage At Naval Aviation Museum". Aero-News Network.
21. Blanks, Annie. "NAS Pensacola heals from tragedy, stands resilient a year after terrorist attack".
22. Little, Jim. "National Naval Aviation Museum in early talks over reservation system for public access".
23. (5 January 2022). "NAS Pensacola, FDOT partnering on public access road to Barrancas Cemetery, Aviation Museum". Pensacola News Journal.
24. Little, Jim. "What you need to know about NAS Pensacola reopening to the public".
25. (2023-04-05). "National Naval Aviation Museum to reopen to public".
26. (29 October 2024). "Naval Aerospace Medicine Exhibit opened at National Naval Aviation Museum". DVIDS.
27. "GB-2 TRAVELLER". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
28. "Navy Serial Number Search Results: 23688".
29. "RC-45J (SNB)". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
30. "Navy Serial Number Search Results".
31. "Aircraft Galleries {{!}} National Naval Aviation Museum".
32. "Navy Serial Number Search Results: 161842".
33. "F4B-4". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
34. "USAF Serial Number Search Results: 32-92".
35. "SB2A BUCCANEER". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
36. Museum, Canadian Warplane Heritage. "Brewster Bermuda".
37. "JRC". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
38. "USAF Serial Number Search Results: 43-7995".
39. Watter, Steve. [http://www.boundless.org/regulars/hungry_years/a0000910.html "Clear the Decks."] {{webarchive. link. (2008-05-06 ''Focus on the Family'', 2004. Retrieved: 9 July 2008.)
40. (2018-05-01). "THE FLIGHT OF BUANG-LY".
41. "N2Y". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
42. "US Navy and US Marine Corps BuNos--First Series (A6002 to 9999)".
43. "Navy Serial Number Search Results: 08317".
44. "PBY Cutaway".
45. "PBY-5A CATALINA". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
46. "Navy Serial Number Search Results: 7099".
47. "PB4Y-2 PRIVATEER". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
48. "C-131 SAMARITAN". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
49. "A-1 Triad".
50. "BFC-2 Goshawk".
51. "F6C HAWK". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
52. "F7C SEAHAWK". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
53. "JN-4 "JENNY"". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
54. "US Navy and US Marine Corps BuNs, First Series - A51 to A6001".
55. "NC-4".
56. "N2C FLEDGLING". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
57. "Curtiss P-40 Warhawk Registry - A Warbirds Resource Group Site".
58. "R5C (C-46) COMMANDO". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
59. "SNC FALCON". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
60. "Navy Serial Number Search Results: 05194".
61. "U-1 OTTER". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
62. [http://www.navalaviationmuseum.org/attractions/aircraft-exhibits/item/?item=ea-1f_skyraider "EA-1F Skyraider/132532."] ''National Naval Aviation Museum.'' Retrieved: 22 August 2014.
63. "Navy Serial Number Search Results: 132532".
64. "A-1H Skyraider".
65. "Navy Serial Number Search Results: 135300".
66. "Navy Serial Number Search Results: 135418".
67. "A-4 Skyhawk". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
68. "A-4E/F Skyhawk".
69. "C-117D Skytrain". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
70. "R6D/C-118 LIFTMASTER". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
71. "F3D SKYKNIGHT". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
72. "F4D-1 Skyray".
73. "D-558-1 Skystreak".
74. "JD INVADER". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
75. "SBD-2 Dauntless".
76. "FOKKER D.VII". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
77. "FM-2 WILDCAT (QUARTERDECK)". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
78. "AF-2S GUARDIAN". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
79. "C-1 TRADER". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
80. "E-1 TRACER". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
81. "FF-1".
82. (2 April 2015). ""Fifi" Has Early Ties to Museum".
83. "F3F-2".
84. "F4F-3 Wildcat".
85. "F4F-3A Wildcat". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
86. "F6F-3 Hellcat".
87. "F7F TIGERCAT". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
88. "F8F BEARCAT". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
89. "F9F-2 Panther".
90. "F9F-6 COUGAR". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
91. "F9F-8 COUGAR". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
92. "F-14A TOMCAT (PEDESTAL)". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
93. "F-14D TOMCAT". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
94. "HU-16 ALBATROSS". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
95. "J2F DUCK". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
96. "J4F-1 WIDGEON". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
97. "JRF GOOSE". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
98. "S2F TRACKER". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
99. "TC-4 ACADEME". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
100. "HANRIOT HD-1". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
101. "TDR-1 EDNA III". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
102. "N1K2 SHIDEN-KAI (GEORGE)". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
103. "C-130 HERCULES (FAT ALBERT)". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
104. "EC-121 WARNING STAR". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
105. "C-130 HERCULES". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
106. "L-10 ELECTRA". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
107. "PV-2 HARPOON". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
108. "P2V-1 Neptune".
109. "SP-2H NEPTUNE". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
110. "P-3A Orion". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
111. "TV-2 SHOOTING STAR". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
112. "AM MAULER". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
113. "SP-5B MARLIN". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
114. "FH-1 Phantom".
115. "F2H-2P Banshee".
116. "F2H-4 BANSHEE". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
117. "F3H-2M Demon".
118. "C-9B SKYTRAIN II". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
119. "F-4N Phantom II".
120. "F/A-18C Hornet".
121. "RF-4B PHANTOM II". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
122. "Me 262". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
123. "MIG-15". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
124. "A6M2 ZERO". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
125. "N3N "YELLOW PERIL" (CONVENTIONAL GEAR)". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
126. "N3N "YELLOW PERIL" (FLOATPLANE)". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
127. "NT-1". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
128. "NIEUPORT 28". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
129. "FJ-2 FURY". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
130. "FJ-4 Fury".
131. "RA-5C VIGILANTE". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
132. "SNJ CUTAWAY (MEZZANINE)". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
133. "T-2 BUCKEYE". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
134. "T-28 TROJAN". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
135. "T-39 SABRELINER". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
136. "NR-1 RECRUIT". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
137. "LNS-1". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
138. "SOPWITH CAMEL". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
139. "N2S-3 Kaydet".
140. "TT-1 PINTO". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
141. "S-4C SCOUT". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
142. "N2T TUTOR". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
143. "A-7E Corsair II".
144. "F4U-1 Corsair".
145. "Korean War Exhibit".
146. "F6U Pirate".
147. "F-8A Crusader".
148. "OS2U KINGFISHER". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
149. "SNV VALIANT". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
150. "PS-2". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
151. (16 December 2013). "Sioux on Display". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
152. "HH-1K Iroquois".
153. "TH-57 SEA RANGER". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
154. "HTE-1". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
155. "HUP RETRIEVER". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
156. "CH-37 MOJAVE". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
157. "HNS HOVERFLY". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
158. "HO5S". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
159. "H-34 SEABAT/SEAHORSE". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.
160. "K-47 CONTROL CAR". Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.