Guest Writer Jim "Woxof" Hart visits one of the most famous and fantastic air museums in the world while on vacation. Read Jim's report here: http://www.simhq.com/_air7/air_245a.html

Doug

I got some I took in Janurary do you want them to add to this great article?

Hi Dave,

Would you do a write-up from your point of view on the museum? Like to hear what you think of it.

Excellent article. And that does look like a fantastic museum!

Outstanding article. I'm glad that you pointed out that a person can walk through the flight line display (on the way to the bleachers). I thought that the only way to see the flight line aircraft was from the bus. The next time we're there I'll have to check that out. The Naval Aviation Museum is definitely a world class operation. If it's second to the Air & Space Museum in Washington that's only because it's not as big. In all fairness I'll have to admit that I haven't been to the air force museum in Ohio. Anyone who has any interest in naval aviation (and its history) and is anywhere near Pensacola should spend at least most of a day at the museum. Thanks for the article.

CB

great article! I never knew of the museum, really. now I have to plan to visit it as one of my goals, and to make sure I spend a few days there.
thanks!
Flyby

Great article Woxof. I haven't been since it first opened and it's even better now. Casually mentioned Retired Marine and got a personal tour of Fat Albert and Blues Ops.

Be reminded that the Museum Store has many real world items, such as current issue leather flight jackets, and a part of the sales goes to support the Museum. Win-Win.

btw: the better accommodations/eateries are just over the line in 'bama.

I can't believe you didn't shoot all the cockpits you can get into! did they remove them?? That part to me is like a simmer's wet dream. I have family in Pensacola, and I have probably been to that museum 20 times. I even have an uncle who's on the 5000 traps board. Awesome place!

I've been there twice - once 15 years ago and again this past July

I can honestly say it is THE best air museum I have ever been too - I'd say it is better than the Smithsonian's (but I like combat aircraft).

It has easily over 20 real cockpits you can sit in.. Here's my brief review I posted on Frugals this summer:

I had the wonderful priviledge to visit the Pensacola Naval Air Museum last week while on vacation in Florida, USA (this is the biggest Naval Air Museum in the country - I might start another thread to talk about it) and they had something like 20 or 30 cockpits from real jets/planes/choppers that you could climb into and sit in and tinker with stuff.

How is this relavant to IJ's mod? Well, I see a lot of people using it for prop sims, which it is wonderful for, but - for most US Aircraft (with the exception of the newest fly-by-wire jets like the F16), they have the traditional throttle/pedals/stick.

I immediately noticed one common theme when climbing into the Jet pits (even the Harrier and F14 had this) - which is how the stick worked.

They all had independent x and y axes. Basically they were a control column coming out of the bottom of the pit which made the Y axis, formed an L and a swivel joint about or just below groin level at the seat which then made up the X axis.

So as far as authenticity is concerned - I'd say the NXT is pretty darned accurate! Independent X and Y Axes, just like the real thing! (for most jets)

I'm pretty sure most guys here haven't had the priviledge to sit in many different jet pits (the real deals nontheless) and some many modern, so I thought I'd share that.

If any of you ever have the opportunity to visit Florida in the panhandle region, you MUST go to this museum. There is nothing else like it that I have ever been to - including the Smithsonian - it is that good. It is a aircraft nuts wet dream! I even got to touch a Sopwith Camel - that could still fly

If only I knew how to post lots of pics I would for everyone - and IJ to see the control column.


I think I took almost 200 pictures while there.. and quite a few of the pits of some of the ww2 birds.

Sure can give me a few days.

I've been to the muesum 3 times. A couple of different times during cross countries, and once on my honeymoon, driving back to Texas from Tampa, FL. It's great, and I HIGHLY recommend it to anyone.

I think one of the best displays in the muesum is the one right at the front. It's a statue...a series of statues actually. It shows 4 generations of Navy aviators hanging out telling flying stories. It sort of embodies the Naval Aviator 'brotherhood' down through time. The funny thing, is that if it was possible, that's exactly how it would be...you get a bunch of aviators in a room together, they probably would tell flying stories all night (it's happened).

I've got pictures around somewhere...

FastCargo

Take that back Doug, my computer died. Be a week at least before I am back up and running.

And don't forget that 40 minutes on a heading of 270 from P'cola is the Battleship Alabama Memorial Park. Not only a battleship you can wander around but also a WW2 Submarine and a smaller aircraft museum which includes a B-52 and an SR-71!

And one of the YF-17s (prototype for the F-18)!

FastCargo