Caught in a fenced off compound behind the Museum of Naval Aviation at Pensacola in late 1989, the machine in the foreground is most certainly a HUP-3 Retriever. The hulk behind her looks like an earlier and rarer mark of this innovative little helo.
Back in 1989 it was still possible to get up close and personal with the impressive Consolidated Coronado which was on display at Pensacola. She was developed in 1935 to replace the PBY Catalina but never managed to live up to her promise.
Back in the late 80's the National Museum of Naval Aviation at Pensacola was much smaller than now and it was possible to wander amongst the rare aircraft types kept outside including 'Que Sera Sera', famous for landing on the ice at the South Pole.
Originally designated as a TV-2 this T-33B T-Bird was owned by the Smithsonian Institution and allocated the civil registration N7989D. She was on loan to the National Museum of Naval Aviation, Pensacola, FL.
This 'Shooting Star' is in fact a former USAF P-80C obtained by the Navy as an advanced jet trainer in the late 40's. I was lucky to catch her in store at Pensacola before she transferred to El Toro MCAS, CA. She is now at the Flying Leathernecks Museum.
The remarkable Martin Marlin which used to be on full public display at the Museum of Naval Aviation at Pensacola FL. The type was used in Vietnam in 'Operation Market Time', a counter infiltration project.
Back in 1989 it was possible to walk around the aircraft preserved outside the National Museum of Naval Aviation at Pensacola, FL. This angle shows just how incredibly advanced a design the Vigilante was for an aircraft started in the mid 50's.
Back in 1989 it was possible to walk around the aircraft preserved outside the National Museum of Naval Aviation at Pensacola, FL. This Neptune is a classic old sub hunter.
A nose shot of the remarkable Martin Marlin which used to be on full public display at the Museum of Naval Aviation at Pensacola FL. The type was used in Vietnam in 'Operation Market Time', a counter infiltration project.
An early F-4A Phantom with the original cockpit and nose configuration. In store at the Pensacola Navy Museum's outside area. Now on display at the USS Lexington.