PbyCat-Guy,
I was at the Naval Aviation Museum for the first time in 2011 (during the Pensacola airshow in November). Any highlights you should see? ALL OF IT! Very cool museum, lots of wonderful things to look at and read about. If you're in a (time) crunch, here's what stood out to me:
1. SBD Dauntless (Pearl Harbor veteran). One of the most historic and significant aviation displays anywhere in the world.
2. Lake Michigan Wildcat. Interesting story behind this one. Done up in yellow, blue and silver paint. Check her out.
3. Curtiss NC-4. Giant. Another historic aircraft with tons of great reading about the aircraft and the people that were a part of the aircraft's historic mission.
4. Models. As you make a fighter sweep through the museum, keep your eyes peeled for many of the various models displayed throughout the museum. Very cool, very detailed. Also good reading if you're interested in learning how long it took to build some of them.
5. Hangar Bay One. The newest facility at the Naval Aviation Museum. Wonderful collection of aircraft (of particular interest is the S-3 Viking that George W. flew on when he went out to the Abraham Lincoln).
6. The director, Bob Rasmussen. A former U.S. Navy F-8 Crusader pilot, Rasmussen is also a renowned sculptor and aviation artist. Many of the sculptures and paintings around the museum were produced by him. Ask one of the many friendly docents if he's around. He's a fixture at the museum. Definitely worth shaking the guys hand and asking him a question or seven about the museum.
Have fun! Take a camera of sorts to record some photos of your visit.
Cheers,
Rob
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