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On February 17, 1911, inventor and aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss taxied his seaplane to the battleship USS PENNSYLVANIA anchored in San Diego Bay. A boat hoisted the "hydroaeroplane" aboard the ship. Later, it was lowered to the water and Curtiss returned to North Island. This historic event, more than any other, prompted the Secretary of the Navy's decision to purchase the Navy's first aircraft. In tribute to this and the 100 years of progress and achievement in Naval Aviation, hundreds of historic and current Navy aircraft will take to the skies February 12, 2011. Naval Air Station North Island - the official "Birthplace of Naval Aviation" - will provide prime viewing for this once-in-a-lifetime aerial review. On February 12th the Air Station hosts a spectacular Open House event welcoming military and civilians aboard. Guests will stroll the runways to view historic static aircraft displays, enjoy the Aerial Review viewing, Carrier and LHA ship tours, Metal Mulisha motorcycle stunt shows, antique car collections, sponsor and vendor booths, live entertainment, food and beverage, children's activities and more. Leading up to this grand finale event, Sailors and Marines will participate in golf tournaments, a 5K Fun Run, and historic aviation film festival. CENTENNIAL OF NAVAL AVIATION |
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via email from Pete Jones, 1-25-11 It's good to see the Navy celebrating their centennial of involvement with aviation and giving Eugene Ely some due. I recently went out and rented the dvd of THE WINGS OF EAGLES(1956) starring John Wayne. I had never seen it before but heard about it needless to say it is about a later naval aviator/hero Frank 'Spig' Wead who later became a Hollywood screenwriter. 1956 is before my time but I would wager you know of this movie. I also revisited 1965's THOSE MAGNIFICENT MEN IN THEIR FLYING MACHINES on dvd which has great commentary and behind the scenes by late director Ken Annakin. There is some great material online with text & photos commemorating the 100th anniversary of naval aviation and Eugene Ely with parades and readings etc. I thought I'd share with some links below, cheers: Pete Jones EUGENE ELY INVENTED NAVAL AVIATION, EXACTLY 100 YEARS AGO IN SAN FRANCISCO, January 18, 1911 (*note flying replica of Ely's Curtiss Model D on modern aircraft carrier deck) EUGENE ELY'S HISTORIC LANDING, 100 years ago; by Carl Nolte, San Francisco Chronicle, January 17, 2011 GET READY TO KICK OFF THE CENTENNIAL OF NAVAL AVIATION CELEBRATION by Jayne Jang Belz, January 21, 2011; Imperial Beach Patch http://imperialbeach.patch.com/articles/get-ready-to-kick-off-the-centennial-of-naval-aviation-celebration WINGS AT SEA by HillerMuseum, January 5, 2011 |
