The Path and the Puddle: National Naval Aviation Museum

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

National Naval Aviation Museum

The Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida is the home of the National Naval Aviation Museum. We were on vacation nearby so, with a private pilot on the family, it seemed like a MUST DO!

We ate lunch at the Cubi Bar Cafe, which is modeled after the bar at the Cubi Point Officers Club, in the Phillipines. When the base closed in 1992, its amazing collection of plaques was brought to the cafe, where the cover every available surface.

I don't know much about airplanes, but it was a fun museum to visit. There are SOOOOO many aircraft, even a set of Blue Angels planes hanging from the ceiling.

This is the home of the Blue Angels, and they practice daily, but not in February. That's OK, because in July, when they come to RI for the Quonset Air Show, they will practice right over my house for the week before.

I wonder how many planes you'll recognize?

(Click on any photo to see a larger version)

The photo below includes something that looks like an old catapult but was used to capture dirigibles. That's the thing that looks like an extension ladder. I don't know what the fan looking thing is.

I love the guy with the teeth. I'm sure someone knows what it is....a Spitfire perhaps? Turns out they painted sharks teeth on many different kinds of planes.