Naval Aviation Museum
The museum in Pensacola
preserves thousands of
artifacts and historic aircraft.
World War II Aircraft
Numerous planes and other
exhibits interpret the role of
the U.S. Navy during World
War II.
National Naval Aviation Museum - Pensacola, Florida
ExploreSouthernHistory.com - National Naval Aviation Museum, Florida
ExploreSouthernHistory.com - National Naval Aviation Museum, Florida
National Naval Aviation Museum The trainer once flown by President George H.W. Bush is among the exhibits at the museum.
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The Cradle of Naval Aviation
2011 marks the 100th anniversary of Naval
Aviation and the best place in America to
explore this illustrious history is the National
Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida.
Pensacola has rightfully been called the
"Cradle of Naval Aviation." The city's role in
the development of the U.S. Navy's air power
and the training of thousands of naval pilots
and other personnel is undisputed. The
presence of the museum in Pensacola is a
powerful tribute to the city's century-long
support for Naval Aviation.
Located on board Pensacola Naval Air
Station, the National Naval Aviation Museum
houses an amazing collection of historic
aircraft and other artifacts that tell the history
of Naval Aviation from its earliest days to the
21st Century.
A labor of love, the museum has grown
dramatically over the years and today ranks
as one of the finest military museums in the
world.
The massive facility is open daily for both
guided and self-guided tours. Beginning with
exhibits of the earliest types of aircraft flown
by U.S. Navy pilots, these tours move on to
sections that interpret World War I, World War
II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the
modern era. Visitors walk the reconstructed
deck of the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Cabot and
even can view a stunning exhibit of U.S. Navy
planes recovered after years beneath the
waves.
For a real taste of flying, visitors can climb
into MaxFlight 360 flight simulators that are
capable of realistic air-to-air combat and
stunt flying simulations.
The National Naval Aviation Museum also
has an impressive IMAX theater that offers
the largest IMAX screen in Florida and one of
the largest in the world. Regular showings
include films on flight, space and wildlife.
Other exhibits include displays on the Navy's
famed precision flying team, the "Blue
Angels." Based in Pensacola, the planes of
the "Blue Angels" can often be seen in the
skies overhead as they carry out training
missions.
The future of Naval Aviation, beginning with
the exploration of space, is also explored at
the museum with artifacts and displays. Alan
B. Shepard, the first American in space, was
a naval aviator and the museum features a
full size exhibit of his space capsule.
The museum is located on one of the most
historic pieces of land in the United States,
the Pensacola Naval Air Station. One of the
first settlements in America was placed here
by the Spanish and fighting took place here
during the American Revolution, War of 1812,
First Seminole and Civil Wars.
The Pensacola Navy Yard was established
by the United States during the early 1800s
and its ships and men played a critical role in
ending piracy on the Gulf of Mexico. Warships
operating from Pensacola battled pirate
warships throughout the Caribbean and Gulf
regions.

World War I Aircraft
This rare Camel from World
War I is among the planes on
display at the museum.
Jet Aircraft
An array of jet aircraft from the
modern era greet visitors to
the National Naval Aviation
Museum.
Copyright 2011 by Dale Cox All rights reserved.
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Historic Sites in Pensacola
The Navy Yard was seized by Southern
forces at the beginning of the Civil War and
was the scene of one of the earliest naval
actions of the war. U.S. Marines battled C.S.
Marines in a fight at the yard that led to the
destruction of the privateer C.S.S. Judah.
Confederate artillerymen at Pensacola Navy
Yard and adjacent Fort Barrancas took part in
heavy exchanges of fire with Union troops
across the bay at Fort Pickens.
With the advent of Naval Aviation in 1911, the
old yard was transformed into a massive
base devoted to training personnel and
expanding the role of aviation in the U.S. Navy.
The Pensacola Naval Air Station played a
vital role in training U.S. Navy pilots during
World War II, along with their support crews.
Pilots even engaged in combat from the
station, taking off from its runways to attack
German U-boats in the Gulf of Mexico.
The NAS remains a vital link in modern Naval
Aviation and is home to the famed Blue
Angels.
The National Museum of Naval Aviation is
located at 1750 Radford Blvd., on board
Naval Air Station, Pensacola. Hours are 9 -5
daily and there is no charge to visit. The
prices to see the IMAX films begin at $8.50
and simulator prices range from $5 to $20.
To reach the museum from Interstate 10 at
Pensacola, take Exit 7 (Pine Forest Road,
297). Head south about 1.5 miles to Blue
Angel Parkway. Turn right and drive about 12
miles to the west gate of NAS Pensacola.
Museum is three miles ahead on left. Adult
visitors must present a valid photo ID at the
gates of the naval air station.
Please click here to visit the Museum's
official website for more information.