Naval Air Museum - Flight Line Tour

[APG85]

After several visits to the National Museum of Naval Aviation, I was finally able to take the flight line tram tour:

[APG85]

[APG85]

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Restoration hangar:

[airmanual]

Thanks for the photos. Impressive but quite sad.

Especially surprised to see a Vought Pirate still displayed outside. Must be a very rare bird.

Also quite surprised to see the Helldiver just sitting there unrestored.

Laurent

[Chappie]

I agree that it is impressive and sad. I read an article from over a decade ago titled "Whose Planes Are They Anyway" where the author of the piece said there are warehouses of unrestored aircraft in that area where warbird sit- unseen, unrestored, and unappreciated. The Helldiver, PBJ, PB4Y-2, and PBY would be much better off in civilian hands where they could be restored, flown, and shared with the descendants of those who flew them into harms way in order to save the world from evil.


Chappie

[APG85]

The Helldiver is in the restoration line-up according to the tour guide (they are raising money for it). I believe many of the aircraft stored outside have been restored, they just don't have the indoor space for them and the sun/weather has done a number on the paint jobs. The PBY was fully restored in the last couple of years but the paint on the exterior is already faded. I assume they'll get a repaint before they go on display.

The museum web site indicates that they are raising funds for a new display hangar (Museum Phase V Expansion) for many of these planes...

http://www.navalaviationfoundation.org/campaigns/

[APG85]

A few more:

[sandiego89]

Thank you for sharing.

Any shots of the AJ-1 Savage? That one saddens me the most perhaps- yes perhaps a minor footnote in naval aviation, but as a sole survivor it is a shame to see her rot for decades outside.

Agree the Privateeer and Pirate need to get inside as well. Others on the ramp are not quite as rare.

[APG85]

Sorry, I missed the Savage. I was at the mercy of the tour bus and the angles it drove and parked at (you aren't allowed off unfortunately). Here's the last few:

[Nathan]

HOLY poo poo! that Pirate needs to be inside. Wiki states restoration completed in 2012. I love post war Navy aircraft! Lots of odd balls, but interesting all of them.

Thanks for sharing! Anymore pics of the Pirate?

[JohnB]

Any info on the history of the plane shown in pieces?

[peter]

Interesting pictures but I echo the comments of it being sad all the same. Trying to preserve and look after aircraft that are outside 24/7 is a never ending and costly game.. I do hope they get a building one day.

[p51]

So sad that the Privateer is in the condition it's in now. I have photos of it in halfway decent shape from a while back...