When you have shot several hundred photos at The National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, how do you pick three or four to display on your web site? Well, first you throw out the ones that are fuzzy because you didn't use a tripod. After you save the twenty or so that are technically pretty good, you display a few of your favorites and rotate them from time to time.

 

Volunteers operate the museum and there are regular guided tours by veterans who obviously love to share their passion for Naval Aviation. Another striking aspect of the facility is the housekeeping, which is utterly amazing. Don't miss this living history book. Here is a slide show of the museum with images taken over several different visits. Once the show starts you may click the button in the lower right corner for full-screen pictures.

 

One of those favorites is this Ford Tri-Motor, affectionately known as a "Tin Goose", built in 1928. My patio roof is a similar corrugated aluminum sheeting and is just about as aerodynamic. Click on the image for another view.

 

 

This is the F4U Corsair of Major Gregory "Pappy" Boyington who was the inspiration for the television series "Ba Ba Black Sheep" - the exploits of his "Black Sheep Squadron" in the Pacific Theater of World War II.

 

The Blue Angels - Very often this team of aerial acrobats can be seen flying over the area between Pensacola and Mobile Bay. These aircraft are hanging over a small auditorium within the museum. There is a balcony, which allows visitors to walk just a few feet from the hanging planes. Some of the smaller craft even sway in the gentle breeze of the air conditioning.

 

 

 

	One of those gently swinging gems is this PBY Catalina.

	This is the military version of one of Beech Aircraft's most beautiful creations, popularly known as the Staggerwing Beech.

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