Going to the Naval Air Station at Pensacola is a real highlight for us. Barney did his initial flight training here in the early 1970s and his oldest son, Jason, was born here, so Pensacola holds fond memories for him. We came here about 15 years ago with our Georgia family but knew that new exhibits had been added so were looking forward to seeing what they had.
had to show IDs to enter, of course
This is a “must see” if you’re in Pensacola!
Highlights for us were some early airplanes and air boats, Barney’s trainers, Marine One and Navy One, and Cubi Bar and Grill since it looks like what Barney had known at the original officers’ club in Subic Bay, Philippines. I’m also including some other pictures that grabbed our attention.
Barney remembers his dad, Bud, also a Marine pilot, talking about flying seaplanes like this and training in these seaplanes.
Barney said he remembered seeing ramps by the waterway when he was doing his flight training and didn’t know what they were for at the time. His dad told him later on that they were for the seaplanes. This is an example of a seaplane and its ramp to the water.
The history of this 1919 plane is so interesting.
This NC4 (referred to as Nancy) was the first plane to cross the Atlantic. The Navy’s goal was to have an air boat locate U-boats and so save our ships from being attacked. A competition made the race more real (and lucrative), and this plane won. Notice the three engines on top. The cockpit was open and must have been so cold for the pilot, even though the flight was in May. The distance was 9000 nautical miles and a few stops were made along the way. Soon after this flight, a nonstop flight was made, but this plane was the first to fly over the Atlantic Ocean!
Nancy
a flying boat
First naval plane across the Atlantic.
Next is the Sopwith Camel, made famous in my generation by Snoopy.
Sopwith Camel
The name of the plane came from the machine guns on the nose that created a “hump,” like a camel. Such a creative name, but boy did they do the job.
Did you notice from the description in the previous picture that the machine guns were synchronized so they wouldn’t hit the spinning propeller blade–and they did this synchronizing without the use of computers!
Early planes flew off of wooden decks.
Here are some of the planes Barney trained in here at Pensacola.
This is the type of plane he first trained in, the T-34.
Here’s its info.
His second fixed-wing trainer (T-28)in is the front, and his first helicopter trainer is behind it.
sitting in the T-28 model
He said he could still remember what all of the gauges were for!
And this is what Barney ended up flying for the Marine Corps, the CH-46. His first combat flight was the evacuation of Saigon from the top of the embassy. He had many adventures in this helicopter and says he did everything he could in it.
The PBY Catalina is an exhibit Barney remembers from the first time he came to this museum years ago. This air boat from the 1930s was opened up so we could see inside. Barney’s dad said it took off at 90 mph, flew at 90 mph, and landed at 90 mph. But . . . it could detect U-boats and attack them, and it could find downed pilots, land on the water, and pick them up out of their life rafts.
stats
cutaway
working inside
even in the galley
The underside of the air boat “flying” over the cutaway plane. Later air boats had wheels on the side and front so it could come up out of the water onto land.
Here are some other planes we loved seeing.
type of plane used in Baa Baa Black Sheep TV show
Blue Angels in formation
Capsule used by first astronaut in space, Alan Shepherd. It’s so small!
Marine One from President Nixon’s era
the President’s own
inside of Marine One—pretty nice for its time
This is the closest Barney will ever get to flying Marine One. Can’t you just see him in uniform?
Navy One flew President Bush 43 onto the aircraft carrier
arriving on deck
The type of plane used in Sky King TV show in the 1950s. Both Barney and I loved that show!
a “plush” ready room but brought back memories for Barn
We had a nice lunch at the Cubi Bar Cafe and then went back in the afternoon for some homemade bread pudding and apple pie with ice cream. Delicious!
Brought back memories for Barney.
Barn said the inside brought back even more memories
The original officers’ club was closed in 1992, and this cafe in the museum opened up a few years later with the plaques, helmets, etc. that men donated to the club over the years. Barney looked for his squadron’s plaque from the 1970s, but couldn’t find it.
Lisa served us our afternoon desserts and told us great stories from her years of working at the Cubi.
a wall plaque that made it back to this great piece of history
