Previously known as the Naval Aviation Museum and the National Museum of Naval Aviation, the National Naval Aviation Museum is an aerospace and military museum found in Pensacola’s Naval Air Station. It is dedicated to the advancement and history of aerospace and naval aviation technology.
With a major focus on Naval Aviation history, including the history of the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Coast Guard, this museum is found in Pensacola, Florida. To accomplish this mission, the museum’s main objective is to acquire, select, preserve and showcase appropriate memorabilia that display the progress, development as well as historic heritage of the U.S. Naval Aviation in addition to other things.
There are a total of more than 150 spacecraft and aircraft on display, including the first ever aircraft to cross the Atlantic (Curtis NC-4), 4 former Blue Angels A-4 Skyhawks, biplanes, United States Coast Guard helicopters, a k-47 Aisrhip Control gondola, the S-3 Viking (used by former president George W. Bush to move him to the USS Abraham Lincoln (2003)) and the tail fin (an aircraft in which president George W. Bush trained). There are a total of 300,000 square feet of exhibit space that is available for these one-of-a-kind vintage aircrafts; they are also on display outside on the 37 acres of space that the museum holds.
Also in collaboration with the Coast Guard and the NAVAIRSYSCOM (Naval Air Systems Command), National Naval Aviation Museum serves as the U.S. Navy’s program manager for almost all other retired Marine Corps and Navy aircraft that are on display aboard U.S. military installations both in the United States and abroad in addition to other public displays and museums.
These American-preserved naval aircraft are still the property of the Navy just as is the case with the United States Air Force aircraft that are on loan from the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force’s collection, that are still under the USAF ownership. These aircraft are usually recognized as ‘On Loan from the National Naval Aviation Museum’ at these locations.
In addition to the precious exhibits, there are flying simulators, a giant Screen Theater, the Blue Angels 4D Experience, an on-site café, a museum store and so much more to keep visitors entertained. The Cubi Point Café (it houses squadron memorabilia from the NAS Cubi Point Officer’s Club) is an exhibit by and in itself.
Visit the nearby Old Pensacola Village too!
