National Naval Aviation Museum, Naval Air Station Pensacola

“Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.”

Leonardo da Vinci

Once again, we were riding our bikes on the Pensacola Naval Air Station and decided to see what the National Naval Aviation Museum was all about. As we rode past the traffic coming into the museum parking lot, we saw the large crowds lining up to go into the museum. As we entered the museum, our ID's were checked and our hands were stamped so we could get into the museum. The museum is free for the public to see. The first thing you notice after entering the museum is a full scale replica of the Wright brothers first successful aircraft that they flew in Kitty Hawk, NC. It is amazing that aircraft ever flew as it was so fragile looking. When you walk into the main room in this building and see all kinds of aircraft on display on the floor as well as hung from the ceiling. There was aircraft everywhere I looked. Astounding. They have over 150 beautifully restored aircraft to examine, touch, and some you are allowed to climb into.

This is the worlds largest Naval aviation museum and is the most visited museum in Florida. I can see why. The museum consists of two huge buildings that have aircraft, displays from all the wars we have been involved in, loads of historic pictures, military documents, military films, military uniforms, weapons, and medals. They even have the A-4 Skyhawks Blue Angels jets hung in a diamond formation overhead. Amazing displays to see everywhere you looked.  They also had a display that had POW bracelets that brought back memories from when I was in junior high school when I wore one.

 There are some pay attractions you can check out while you are there. If you choose the Flight Simulators they give you a choice to fly with the Blue Angels or fly off an aircraft carrier and battle in the Iraq desert. The is another pay attraction where you can go and watch an aviation movie at the state of the art theater with 4 K resolution. There is also the Blue Angel 4D movie with 3D images along with surprising effects. Everyone I saw or heard from thought these special features were great and came out happy.

I enjoyed the exhibit that was set up like a general store and set up as if WW II times. It was fun to look at all the different items and what the prices were. It was during this time my parents were courting and I could just imagine my dad going into a store like this in his Navy uniform with my mom on his arm. I also loved what the kitchen looked like.  They put so much detail into this display.

The mission of this museum is to educate people about aviation and show them a deeper appreciation of their heritage. The museum first opened its doors on June 8, 1963 with only 8,500 square feet to its name. Throughout the years, there were many phases adding new additions. The latest addition was added in 2006 and now the museum has total of 350,000 square feet of wonder. History buff or not, this is a great place to spend a day for adults or children.

After you go through the museum, if you are there on a Tuesday or Wednesday, you can walk over to the airfield to see the Blue Angels perform. There are bleachers to sit in or rent a chair for viewing. Watch them soar over you and do acrobatics in the sky. It will take your breath away and make you proud of our country and our military. God bless the men and women who serve or served for our country. After the show on Wednesday, the Blue Angels will sign autographs. This made a perfect day. Till next time.