Hickory Aviation Museum

#tomcattuesday An F-14 of VF-103 "Sluggers" is taxied out of the landing zone and directed to Cat 1 for launch during "CQ" or carrier qualifications in 1994 onboard CVN-65. USS Enterprise had just finished a two-year overhaul that took four years and was back operating again, many of the crew for the first time, myself included, as a Catapult and Arresting Gear Officer. Depending on how many aircraft were CQ'ing, the initial launch would be from all four catapults and once the waist catapults were finished, they'd be buttoned up and there would be a "green deck" just as the planes were lined up to trap onboard. It was very hectic. Then, the forward bow catapults would only be used launching and trapping, until everyone was finished. If you look above the vertical stab, that rectangle is the jet blast deflector for Cat 2, and the top left panel had about 9 inches that "fouled" the entire landing zone if it was raised, which took even more coordination. Somedays it was amazing it all worked! The HAM F-14 is available to see every day, no admission charge to visit us. #f14 #tomcat #grumman #f14tomcat #jet #jets #airplane #airplanes #aircraft #aviation #aviationdaily #aviationlovers #aviationgeek #aviationgeeks #avgeek #avgeeks #avnerd #aviationphoto Friends of Naval Aviation, Inc. #aviationphotos #aviationphotography #flynavy #usnavy #navalaviation #tailhook #topgun #hickoryaviationmuseum #aviationmuseum

It is NAS Moffett Field Monday. Photo from 35 years ago of Hangars 2 & 3. Currently, the hangar on the right is 3/4 of the way demolished and 2 will follow. These wooden hangars were built during WWII, and just have fallen into disrepair with rotten wood and other structural issues. Back in the day, these were home to the active-duty P-3 Orion squadrons based here. #usnavy #navalaviation #flynavy #nasmoffettfield #p3orion #lockheed #airplane #airplanes #aircraft #history #aviationhistory #avgeek #avgeeks #aviationgeeks #aviationgeek #avnerd #aviationlovers #aviationphoto #aviationphotos #aviationphotography #navalbase #navalairstation #sunnyvalecalifornia #mountainviewca #hangar

Latest photo of the construction site for the new HAM building taken yesterday. Lot of progress after being slowed for while due to Hurricane Helene. #museum #aviationmuseum #hickorync #hickoryaviationmuseum #aviation #aviationgeek #aviationgeeks #avgeek #avgeeks #avnerd #airplanes #jets #helicopters #construction #steelworkers #steel

It is "Where am I Wednesday?". From about 35 years ago, 35mm photo on full zoom. Hint, tail codes..... #f15eagle #kc135 #f15 #aviation #aviationgeek #aviationgeeks #avgeek #avgeeks #avnerd #aviationdaily #aviationlovers #aviationhistory #aviationphoto #aviationphotos #aviationphotography #35mm #jet #jet #airplane #airplanes #aircraft #usaf #unitedstatesairforce #tanker #aerialrefueling #usnavy #navalaviation United States Air Force

Today in MilAvHist, 10/22/1955, happy first flight anniversary of the prototype YF-105A, which would go into production as the Republic F-105 "Thunderchief"!!!! There would be 833 manufactured and the aircraft saw a massive amount of action during the Vietnam War. Our "Thud" is Serial 54-0107, and it is currently the second oldest remaining airframe. It was used for cold weather testing being frozen in a hangar in Florida and then spending a year in Alaska. This is why our aircraft was restored in these colors. When it returned from Eielson AFB back to Eglin AFB January 1959, it set a speed record, watch this short video to see our aircraft in action! https://lnkd.in/eDcG2CUj #f105thunderchief #republicaviation #jet #jets #airplane #airplanes #aircraft #aviation #aviationdaily #aviationgeek #aviationgeeks #avgeek #avgeeks #avnerd #aviationhistory #aviationlovers #aviationphoto #aviationphotos #aviationphotography #hickorync #hickoryaviationmuseum #usaf United States Air Force

Happy Monday, it's going to be a beautiful, sunny week, a great time to visit the museum and see aircraft such as the Northrop F-5 Tiger II jet. #northrop #f5tigerii #jet #jets #airplane #airplanes #aircraft #aviation #aviationphoto #aviationphotography #aviationphotos #aviationgeek #aviationgeeks #avgeek #avgeeks #avnerd #hickorync #hickoryaviationmuseum #museum #usnavy #navalaviation #flynavy Friends of Naval Aviation, Inc. US Navy

Before they became museum displays, our aircraft had operational backgrounds and I've been lucky to find photos of some of HAM's planes/helicopters in action. #sikorskysunday and our SH-3H Sea King back in the day getting a photo op with a US submarine! #sikorsky #helicopter #submarine #aviation #aviationdaily #aviationhistory #aviationlovers #aviationgeek #aviationgeeks #avgeek #avgeeks #avnerd #aviationphoto #aviationphotos #aviationphotography #helicopters #aircraft #usnavy #navalaviation #flynavy #rotarywing #sh3hseaking #aviationmuseum #hickoryaviationmuseum #hickorync Friends of Naval Aviation, Inc.

From 1996 onboard CVN-65 during workups for deployment, the airwing and ships' company is getting ready for the afternoon launch. Can anyone spot something missing that really isn't a big deal, but does affect recovery operations? Visitors to HAM can check out an Intruder and Tomcat on our flightline. #s3viking #a6intruder #f14tomcat #vs30 #vf103 #va75 #aviation #aviationhistory #aviationgeek #aviationgeeks #avgeek #avgeeks #avnerd #aircraftcarrier #aviationphoto #aviationphotos #aviationphotography #jet #jets #airplane #airplanes #aircraft #hickorync #hickoryaviationmuseum Friends of Naval Aviation, Inc. #usnavy #flynavy #navalaviation

#flightlinefriday The days are getting cooler, and it's a great time to stop by and see the HAM collection and tour our P-3C Orion. The weekend forecast is perfect to visit and have lunch, there is no charge for admission. #p3corion #f14tomcat #f4phantom #f105thunderchief #xf15c1stingeree #airplane #airplanes #aircraft #helicopter #helicopters #aviation #aviationmuseum #aviationgeek #aviationgeeks #avgeek #avgeeks #avnerd #aviationlovers #aviationhistory #aviationphoto #aviationphotos #aviationphotography #jet #jets