The Stearman biplane was a "primary trainer," meaning it was the first aircraft
cadets learned to actually fly. This Stearman is one of the more unique airframes
in the collection. This aircraft, BUNO 05369, was flown by Cadet George H. W.
Bush during his flight training at NAS Minneapolis, MN, in January of 1943. In
1988, former Cadet Bush was elected the 41st President of the United States.
Click for a larger image. May 2006.
cadets learned to actually fly. This Stearman is one of the more unique airframes
in the collection. This aircraft, BUNO 05369, was flown by Cadet George H. W.
Bush during his flight training at NAS Minneapolis, MN, in January of 1943. In
1988, former Cadet Bush was elected the 41st President of the United States.
Click for a larger image. May 2006.
Built by North American Aircraft in
1935, the SNJ Texan became a
Navy trainer in 1936. This type of
aircraft, painted yellow like all
trainers to alert everyone in sight
that a newbie flyer was in the air
was flown by cadets after qualifying
in the primary trainers. Right: Note
the advice painted on the side of the
cockpit. This is an SNJC, BUNO
51849). May 2006.
1935, the SNJ Texan became a
Navy trainer in 1936. This type of
aircraft, painted yellow like all
trainers to alert everyone in sight
that a newbie flyer was in the air
was flown by cadets after qualifying
in the primary trainers. Right: Note
the advice painted on the side of the
cockpit. This is an SNJC, BUNO
51849). May 2006.
This aircraft, BUNO 1383, is an
example of the final version of the
SB2U-2 Vindicator dive bomber.
First joining the Navy in 1937, many
of the pilots who would later fly the
famous Dauntless cut their dive-
example of the final version of the
SB2U-2 Vindicator dive bomber.
First joining the Navy in 1937, many
of the pilots who would later fly the
famous Dauntless cut their dive-
bombing teeth in a Vindicator. As with several of the museum's aircraft, this one was recovered from the bottom of Late
Michigan, where it sat since about June 1943 after A. W. Lemmons ditched it during training. When it was raised in 1990
and brought to Pensacola, Mr. Lemmons was on hand to meet it. This is the only Chance-Vought Vindicator known still to
exist in the world. May 2006.
Michigan, where it sat since about June 1943 after A. W. Lemmons ditched it during training. When it was raised in 1990
and brought to Pensacola, Mr. Lemmons was on hand to meet it. This is the only Chance-Vought Vindicator known still to
exist in the world. May 2006.
The Grumman F4F-3 Wildcat, perhaps the first truly famous "Cat" in the long line Grumman would
produce. Although the Japanese Zero fighters they faced early in the war were superior in speed and
maneuverability, the Wildcat was sturdier, and this translated into increased chances of survival for the
American naval aviators. The Americans learned quickly how to counter the Zero's advantages by the use
of certain tactics, and were able to hold their own until the more advanced Hellcats, Corsairs, and Lightnings
became operations.
This particular airframe is of the first version of the Wildcat. They were delivered to the Navy in 1940.
Only 285 planes of this version were built (note its lack of folding wings). Most F4F-3's were used for
training (this one crashed in Lake Michigan while training off the USS Wolverine in August of 1943. The
museum recovered it in 1990 and restored it, including painting it in the colors of Squadron 72 (to which it
was once assigned). This aircraft is BUNO 3872.
A few F4F-3's did see some combat, most notably at Wake Island and the Battle of the Coral Sea.
May 2006.
produce. Although the Japanese Zero fighters they faced early in the war were superior in speed and
maneuverability, the Wildcat was sturdier, and this translated into increased chances of survival for the
American naval aviators. The Americans learned quickly how to counter the Zero's advantages by the use
of certain tactics, and were able to hold their own until the more advanced Hellcats, Corsairs, and Lightnings
became operations.
This particular airframe is of the first version of the Wildcat. They were delivered to the Navy in 1940.
Only 285 planes of this version were built (note its lack of folding wings). Most F4F-3's were used for
training (this one crashed in Lake Michigan while training off the USS Wolverine in August of 1943. The
museum recovered it in 1990 and restored it, including painting it in the colors of Squadron 72 (to which it
was once assigned). This aircraft is BUNO 3872.
A few F4F-3's did see some combat, most notably at Wake Island and the Battle of the Coral Sea.
May 2006.
The most famous "Cat" of World War
II Grumman produced is the
redoubtable F6F Hellcat. First flown in
June of 1942, this tough cat hit the fleet
in 1943. These fighters would account
for over 8,000 Japanese aircraft
destroyed. Speedy, maneuverable, and
tough with armored cockpits, the
Hellcat was more than a match for the
Zero.
Click the above image for a larger
view. Above image: June 2006.
Image at right: May 2006.
II Grumman produced is the
redoubtable F6F Hellcat. First flown in
June of 1942, this tough cat hit the fleet
in 1943. These fighters would account
for over 8,000 Japanese aircraft
destroyed. Speedy, maneuverable, and
tough with armored cockpits, the
Hellcat was more than a match for the
Zero.
Click the above image for a larger
view. Above image: June 2006.
Image at right: May 2006.
This aircraft, BUNO 66237, crashed in over 3,000 feet of water off California. It was recovered in 1974.
The SBD Dauntless dive bomber, perhaps the most famous
American dive bomber ever built. It was the Dauntlesses
that, in that space of five minutes, sank three Japanese
carriers and ensured an American victory at Midway in
1942.
Actual combat veteran aircraft are rare. This is one of
them, and it has a remarkable story to tell. This airframe,
BUNO 2106, was stationed at Ford Island when the
Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on 7 Dec. 1941. Very,
very few American aircraft on the ground survived that day.
Launching from the deck of the first carrier Lexington
American dive bomber ever built. It was the Dauntlesses
that, in that space of five minutes, sank three Japanese
carriers and ensured an American victory at Midway in
1942.
Actual combat veteran aircraft are rare. This is one of
them, and it has a remarkable story to tell. This airframe,
BUNO 2106, was stationed at Ford Island when the
Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on 7 Dec. 1941. Very,
very few American aircraft on the ground survived that day.
Launching from the deck of the first carrier Lexington
The photographer with the SBD.
(CV 2), it fought in the Battle of the Coral Sea in early 1942, and had to find a new home when the
Lexington was sunk. It was then stationed on Midway Island after being transferred to the Marine
Corps. Flying from Midway, the aircraft shown here helped sink the last of the four carriers the
Japanese field for that battle: the IJN Hiryu. The SBD returned to Midway with over 200 holes in it,
only one operable landing gear, and its gunner wounded. Normally such an aircraft would be scrapped,
but this one survived and ended up a training aircraft where, like so many others, it was ditched by a
novice pilot in Lake Michigan on June 11, 1943.
Once it was recovered by the museum, the staff and volunteers put in over 70,000 man-hours to
restore it for display. This single aircraft, veteran of the first three major battles of the Pacific War, is
one of the most historically significant naval aircraft on display anywhere in the world.
Note: The "TDR" sign in the top photo is pointing to an aircraft hanging over the SBD, and does
not refer to the SBD's exhibit. May 2006.
Lexington was sunk. It was then stationed on Midway Island after being transferred to the Marine
Corps. Flying from Midway, the aircraft shown here helped sink the last of the four carriers the
Japanese field for that battle: the IJN Hiryu. The SBD returned to Midway with over 200 holes in it,
only one operable landing gear, and its gunner wounded. Normally such an aircraft would be scrapped,
but this one survived and ended up a training aircraft where, like so many others, it was ditched by a
novice pilot in Lake Michigan on June 11, 1943.
Once it was recovered by the museum, the staff and volunteers put in over 70,000 man-hours to
restore it for display. This single aircraft, veteran of the first three major battles of the Pacific War, is
one of the most historically significant naval aircraft on display anywhere in the world.
Note: The "TDR" sign in the top photo is pointing to an aircraft hanging over the SBD, and does
not refer to the SBD's exhibit. May 2006.
The TBM Avenger torpedo bomber. This versatile aircraft, first seeing combat at Midway in 1942,
had a three-man crew and carried its munitions inside an enclosed bay. It was the largest aircraft to
regularly operate from U.S. carriers in WWII. Another note-it a TBM Avenger Lt. j.g. George H.
W. Bush was flying in 1944 when he and his crew were shot down over Chichi Jima. May 2006.
This is BUNO 53593.
had a three-man crew and carried its munitions inside an enclosed bay. It was the largest aircraft to
regularly operate from U.S. carriers in WWII. Another note-it a TBM Avenger Lt. j.g. George H.
W. Bush was flying in 1944 when he and his crew were shot down over Chichi Jima. May 2006.
This is BUNO 53593.
The Vought F4U-4 Corsair. First
seeing service in 1943, the "hose
nose" as it was called was an
excellent, but unforgiving aircraft.
It was fast and maneuverable, but if
the pilot let it get out of control, he
was toast.
Mainly serving with the Marine
Corps, the Corsair's inverted gull-
wing design was needed to keep the
giant 13-foot propeller from hitting
seeing service in 1943, the "hose
nose" as it was called was an
excellent, but unforgiving aircraft.
It was fast and maneuverable, but if
the pilot let it get out of control, he
was toast.
Mainly serving with the Marine
Corps, the Corsair's inverted gull-
wing design was needed to keep the
giant 13-foot propeller from hitting
the deck when the plane was taking off or landing. Upper right: The port side wing's gun panels are open to allow the
visitor to see the complex nature of loading the Corsair's .50 caliber guns. Top right photo by N. T. Miller, May 2006.
Upper photo by Wright Sublette, May 2006. This is BUNO 92246.
visitor to see the complex nature of loading the Corsair's .50 caliber guns. Top right photo by N. T. Miller, May 2006.
Upper photo by Wright Sublette, May 2006. This is BUNO 92246.
