My obligatory pacifist lefty two cents: it is a real shame that so much of humanity's time, money and creativity goes into finding better ways to kill each other.
That said -- the Naval Aviation Museum is chock full of beautiful warbird flying machines! Starting with the very earliest canvas and wood biplanes (top speed about that of a modern car), and running through 21st century aerodynamic marvels (supersonic, though some labels were a bit evasive about giving exact numbers). Plus helicopters, dirigibles, spacecraft, moon buggies, etc. I like kinetic sculpture, and this museum is a wonderland.
A bunch of photos. I'll try to let the planes speak for themselves, maybe just add captions. (Click on the photos for bigger, easier to see version.)
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| Sopwith Camel, introduced Western Front 1917, top speed 113 mph |
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| Ford Trimotor, a pioneer civil aviation workhorse, 150 mph |
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| Messerschmitt Me 262, world's first operational jet aircraft 1944 |
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| Curtiss P40 Tomahawk, introduced 1938, 360 mph |
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| McDonnell F2H Banshee, 1950s nuclear capable fighter-bomber |
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| Lockheed Electra, 1930s, 202 mph. Model flown by Amelia Earhart. |
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| Grumman F14 Tomcat, 1970 - 2006, 1544 mph (>Mach 2) |
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| VTOL Harrier |
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| Mercury Capsule |
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| Blue Angel planes |
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Katie getting ready for Blue Angel take off
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| Nice piece of warbird art |
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