A day at NAS Pensacola – Random photos.
I spent the day attending the Blue Angels practice and visiting the Naval Aviation Museum at Pensacola today.
The SBD-2 is the only known survivor of both the Pearl Harbor attack and the Battle of Midway. The plane was delivered in the yellow wings scheme and some of the original paint was left visible during the restoration.
Of particular interest to me anyways are the rear gunners compartment and R-1535 engine pics from the SB2U-3 and the Mig-21 wheel wells and exhaust.
The F3F-2 was recovered from San Diego Bay after being lost in a prewar mishap by WW2 Medal of Honor winner Bob Galer. Unfortunately, they painted it the wrong color. It should be aluminum lacquer, not gray.
Enjoy the pics.
I love that museum. Visited maybe 20? years ago when my sister lived in the south. One day there, another day in Mobile visiting the Alabama and everything else around it.
It’s the best museum that I know of. Well lit and almost nothing roped off. The Blues are an added benefit. I’m from Illinois and first visited the area in college 40 years ago. I’ve had a vacation home in Gulf Shores for years and we finally moved down full time 2 years ago. Best decision ever.
Nice, one place I always wanted to see. Spent the night in Pensacola once when our C-9 got diverted for weather, no time for museums though!
Worth a visit, Rob. I hope you make it down here someday.
Rob, I just noticed this old C-9 in todays pics. Might’ve been yours?
1 attached image. Click to enlarge.
That is some phenomenal aviation history, thanks for sharing your photos!
You’re welcome, Joe.
Excellent pics, John! Very interesting, modeling wise. You definitely had a wonderful day there, plus admiring The Blue Angels.
Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome, Spiros.
Great photos of what looks like a perfect day, John (@j-healy). I haven't had a chance to visit the Pensacola Museum, but it is definitely on my list. I don't remember every seeing yellow leading edges on a blue SBD. Thanks for sharing.
The exposed yellow paint is from the original prewar yellow wing finish that the plane was delivered in. The restoration team decided to leave a couple areas of that original paint exposed when the restored it. Its a real historical treasure.
Thanks a lot for sharing those wonderful pictures of what must have been a wonderful day, John @j-healy
On the last picture, your smile clearly shows you did have an amazing day.
Thanks, John. It’s really a fun place.
Thanks for sharing, amazing museum. One of those museums I need to visit when retirement days starts. Couple of years still to wait, though.
Thanks, John! I was there once and want to get back.
Is the lone IJN plane in your photo collection a George?
Yep, it is a George.
Thank you for sharing your pictures. I hope to make it to this museum one day.