BGuthrie Photos: CA -- San Diego -- Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum

CA -- San Diego -- Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum:

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Copyrights: All pictures were taken by amateur photographer Bruce Guthrie (me!) who retains copyright on them. Free for non-commercial use with attribution. See the [Creative Commons] definition of what this means. "Photos (c) Bruce Guthrie" is fine for attribution. (Commercial use folks including AI scrapers can of course contact me.) Feel free to use in publications and pages with attribution but you don't have permission to sell the photos themselves. A free copy of any printed publication using any photographs is requested. Descriptive text, if any, is from a mixture of sources, quite frequently from signs at the location or from official web sites; copyrights, if any, are retained by their original owners.

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Specific picture descriptions: Photos above with "i" icons next to the bracketed sequence numbers (e.g. "[1] ") are described as follows:
1. LEATHR_090721_008.JPG: CHANCE VOUGHT F4U5N "CORSAIR" F - FIGHTER-4-4TH MODEL U - CHANCE VOUGHT 5 - MODIFICATION N - NIGHT FIGHTER The Corsair first flew on 29 May 1940 and was built by three different companies, Chance Vought (F4U)Goodyear (FG-1) and Brewster (F3A). The Corsair was in production longer than any other World War Two fighters were. The F4U started production in June 1942 with the last Corsair rolling off the assembly line in December 1952 for a total production run of 12,571 Corsairs built. There were 88 Marine Aces in 20 Marine squadrons flying the F4U Corsair during World War Two.The F4U-5 Corsair, too late for World War Two, started coming off the assembly line in April 1946. The night fighting units flying the F4U-5N Corsair, F7F-3N Tigercat and the F3D Skyknight accounted for 11 enemy aircraft during the Korean War. Sept 10th 1952 Capt. Jesse G. Folmar of VMF-312 is credited with shooting down an Russian made MIG-15 while flying the Corsair. This F4U-5N was delivered to the Navy on8 November 1948 and was retired from active inventory in 1953 with total of 1,392 hours. It has been restored in Marine Night Fighting Squadron VMF(N)-513 markings as it served in Korea.
2. LEATHR_090721_019.JPG: NORTH AMERICAN PBJ-1J (B-25) "MITCHELL" P - PATROL B - BOMBER J - NORTH AMERICAN 1 - 1ST MODEL J – 10TH MODIFICATION During the battle for territory in the Pacific against the Japanese in March 1944 the PBJ flew the first night raids at Rabaul, Kavieng and Bougainville followed by daylight raids. The nine Marine Corps PBJ squadrons lost a total of 26 Mitchells in combat and another 19 to operational accidents. The PBJ is also known as the B-25 medium bomber. 706 PBJs were procured for two Navy squadrons and seven Marine Corps squadrons. Some PBJs were armed with a 75mm cannon ("G" & "H" models) and others with 14 forward firing .50cal machine guns ("J" models).
3. LEATHR_090721_032.JPG: General Motors TBM-3E "Avenger": The Eastern Aircraft Division of General Motors began producing the Avenger in 1943 while Grumman refitted its production line to build other aircraft. A total of 9,836 Avengers were built. The Avenger made its combat debut at The Battle of Midway where only one of six Avengers survived the battle. The Avenger was used by USMC torpedo bombing squadrons throughout the Pacific Theater. The "Turkey", as it was nicknamed, was used in a variety of different tasks during its military career to include Bomber, Torpedo Bomber, Anti-submarine warfare, Carrier on Board Delivery (COD), Airborne Early Warning (AEW), and Training. This Avenger was accepted on June 16, 1945 and did not see combat. It was retired in 1962 after spending its career with various training units in the Navy and accumulating 792 hours.
4. LEATHR_090721_055.JPG: GRUMMAN A-6E "INTRUDER" A - ATTACK 6 - 6TH MODEL E - 5TH MODIFICATION The Intruders first flew on 16 April 1960. A total of 450 A-6Es were built, many coming from A-6A/B/C airframes. Marine Attack Squadron VMA (AW)-242 "Bats" was the first squadron to receive the A-6. The Intruder has been used in several roles: Attack, Electronic warfare and inflight refueler. The A-6 was used in Vietnam and Desert Storm. -- This aircraft was obtained from the testing facility at China Lake in 1995. The movie "Flight of the Intruder" features the A-6 and gives a good mission portrayal.
5. LEATHR_090721_064.JPG: ZPU-4 Anti-Aircraft Artillery: The ZPU-4 is a Quadruple anti-aircraft version of the basic Soviet 14.5mm machine gun. Introduced in 1949, it was used in the Korean War and was a serious threat to U.S. aircraft during the Vietnam War. This weapon fires the API (BS 42) projectile that weighs 64.4 grams and has a velocity of 100 meters per second. It will penetrate 32mm of armor. The ZPU-4 is fed ammunition from (4) 500 round drums mounted on both sides of the unit. This unit is effective for both low-altitude air defense and ground defense.
6. LEATHR_090721_066.JPG: "Yellow Shirts" Carrier Deck Crewman wearing yellow shirts are the traffic cops on the deck of an aircraft carrier. They are officers and senior enlisted personnel and are responsible for the positioning, launching, and landing of all aircraft on the carrier deck.
7. LEATHR_090721_082.JPG: Hawk Surface-to-Air Missile System: The Hawk Surface-to-Air Missile System missile was developed to provide surface-to-air missile defense to assigned areas of operations or installations against low and medium air aircraft. The system was placed in U.S. military service in 1962. The system is divided into three sections: Acquisition, Fire Control, and Firing Sections. Utilizing the unique Continuous Wave Acquisition Radar (CWAR), small, high-speed, and low-level targets are detected. The targets are then assigned to the Fire Control Section that locks onto the target using high-powered tracking radar (HIPIR) [???]. A missile can be launched manually or in an automated mode. Radars and missiles have extensive electronic counter measures capabilities. The Hawk Missile system was deployed by the U.S. during the Vietnam and Persian Gulf Wars but has never been fired by the U.S. military against a battle enemy aircraft. This first combat use of the Hawk system occurred during the "Six Day War" in 1967. The Israeli Army used the Hawk system successfully against the invading Arab forces. Again in 1982, Israeli forces shot down a Syrian Mig-25. During the Persian Gulf War, Kuwaiti Air Defense units equipped with U.S. Hawk Missile Batteries shot down 22 Iraqi aircraft and one (1) Iraqi helicopter during the conflict.
8. LEATHR_090721_086.JPG: ROCKWELL (NORTH AMERICAN) OV-10 "BRONCO" O - OBSERVATION V - FIXED WING The OV-10 was delivered to VMO-2 in February 1968 and deployed to Vietnam for duty the same year.Initially designed with a compartment behind the cockpits for counter-insurgency operations the Bronco mission also included helicopter escort, Light Armed Reconnaissance, and Forward Air Control (FAC) duties. The rear section of the fuselage can also carry cargo, personnel or 2 stretchers.
9. LEATHR_090721_107.JPG: McDONNELL-DOUGLAS (BOEING) F/A-18A "HORNET" F - FIGHTER A - ATTACK 18 - MODEL NUMBER A - FIRST MODIFICATION The F/A-18's first flight was 18 November 1978, and the "Black Knights" of Marine Fighter/Attack Squadron 314 (VMFA-314) were the first F/A-18 unit. During operation "Desert Storm" the F/A-18 downed two Iraqi Mig-21 (Chinese built Shenyang F-7) with only one F/A-18 lost to a Surface to Air Missile (SAM) throughout the entire war. The Hornet is a high-performance tactical airplane that can operation from aircraft carriers or land bases. It can perform fighter, attack, and reconnaissance missions.
10. LEATHR_090721_111.JPG: "Red Shirts" Carrier Deck Crewman wearing red shirts are known as "Ordies" or "BB Stackers". The primary duties of the red shirts are loading, removing and transporting aircraft weapons on the aircraft carrier. They are also responsible for explosive ordnance disposal, fighting fires on the carrier deck and crash and salvage operations.
11. LEATHR_090721_117.JPG: GRUMMAN F9F-8P "COUGAR" F - FIGHTER 9 - 9TH MODEL F - GRUMMAN- 8 - MODIFICATION P - PHOTO The Cougar was the swept-swing version of the Grumman F9F Panther series and was produced in the attack, fighter, photo-reconnaissance and trainer version. The aircraft on display was delivered to the Marines on 21 August 1956 and assigned to VMCJ-3 and spent it's entire service life with that squadron at MCAS El Toro, CA and MCAS Iwakuni Japan. After accumulating 1,196 hours it was retired on 19 May 1960 and has been restored in the markings of VMCJ-3.
12. LEATHR_090721_132.JPG: McDONNELL-DOUGLAS A-4M "SKYHAWK" A - ATTACK 4 - 4TH MODEL M - 13RD MODIFCATION The Skyhawk first flew in 1954 and entered service with the Marine Corps at MCAS El Toro in September 1956 with VMA-224 (Marine Attack Squadron). 2,960 Skyhawks were built both as single seat attack or as two-place advanced trainers. Some of the dual seated aircraft were also used in the Forward Air Control (fast FAC) mission. The last Marine squadron transferred their A4Ms to the Marine Corps Reserve in 1990 after 34 years of first line service. The A-4 Skyhawks played a major role during the Vietnam War providing close air support for Marines while flying from expeditionary airfields and from aircraft carriers. The Skyhawks were also flown by the Blue Angels and still serve in many foreign nations. This is the last Skyhawk to roll off the assembly line.
13. LEATHR_090721_139.JPG: McDONNELL-DOUGLAS A-4C "SKYHAWK" A - ATTACK 4 - 4TH MODEL C - 3RD MODIFCATION The Skyhawk first flew on 22 June 1954 and was in production for over 26 years, with the last Skyhawk rolling off the assembly line in 1979. It was affectionately known as the Scooter or Heinemann's Hot Rod after its designer Ed Heinemann. The Skyhawk was conceived to meet a Navy requirement of the early 1950s for a carrier-based attack aircraft weighing 30,000 lbs. with a payload of 2,000 lbs. The Skyhawk's initial empty weight was 15,000 lbs. and could carry a 5000-Llb. payload. This Skyhawk was accepted on 12 April 1961 by the Navy and went to Navy Attack Squadron-192 (VA-192), in 1971. This Skyhawk was transferred to the Marine Corps Reserve and eventually served at MCAS El Toro until replaced. Click here for a larger picture and more information.
14. LEATHR_090721_157.JPG: North American FJ-3 "Fury": F = Fighter J = North American -3 = Number of modifications The Fury was initially designed as a straight winged jet fighter and first flew on 27 November 1946 and was the first jet powered military aircraft built by North American Aviation Company. The FJ-3 Fury first flew 3 July 1953 and was in-service by September 1954. The FJ-3 was a revised FJ-2 re-engined with a Wright J-65-W-2, producing and [sic] additional 1700 pounds of static thrust, replacing the General Electric J-47-GE-2. Subsequent models of the Fury were navalized versions of the USAF F-86 SaberJet. Later models of the Fury were capable of carrying nuclear bombs.
15. LEATHR_090721_165.JPG: Grumman F9F-2 "Panther": F = Fighter 9 = 9th Model F = Grumman 2 = modification The first XF9F-2 flew on November 24, 1947 while the first production Panther flew on February 17, 1949. The Grumman F9F Panther acquired many firsts. It was Grumman's first jet fighter and the first Navy and Marine Corps jet to see combat. VMF 311 was the first Marine Squadron to receive the Panther. Notable pilots like John Glenn, Ted Williams, and Marsh Austin were with VMF-311 during the Korean War, making VMF-311 the first Marine jet unit to deploy to a combat zone. Most F9F-2s were converted to drones or assigned to training units as the F9F 5 Panthers arrived. The aircraft on display here was delivered to the USN on October 20, 1950 and served its entire service life with the Navy.
16. LEATHR_090721_171.JPG: DOUGLAS F3D-2 "SKY KNIGHT" F - FIGHTER 3 - 3RD MODEL D - DOUGLAS 2 - NUMBER OF MODIFICATIONS The Sky Knight was an all weather fighter for the Marine Corps and made its first flight on March 23,1948 as the XF3D-1. A total of 268 were delivered to the Navy and the Marine Corps. Throughout its long service life the Sky Knight had been modified for many different missions such as Electronic Counter- Measures, missile platforms, systems trainers and flying test platform for advanced avionics. The Sky Knight made the first night jet to jet kill on the early morning of November 3rd 1952, when Maj. William T. Stratton Jr., and MSgt Hans Hoglind of Marine Night Fighter Squadron, VMF (N)-513, shot down a North Korean YAK-15. The Sky Knight destroyed more enemy aircraft in Korea than any other Navy or Marine fighter aircraft. Many F3D-2s were modified as electronic jammers to be used by Marine Composite Squadrons (VMCJ) during Vietnam, these aircraft were redesignated as F3D-2Q and later as EF-10B. This Sky Knight served at China Lake in Missile Research & Development before being used by Raytheon as a test platform. It was retired from active flying and flown to MCAS El Toro in 1987 for display at the command museum.
17. LEATHR_090721_174.JPG: McDONNELL F2H-2 "BANSHEE" F - FIGHTER 2 - 2ND MODEL H – McDONNELL 2 – 2ND MODIFICATION The prototype of the Banshee first flew 11 January 1947. The Banshee followed its predecessor the FH-1 Phantom. Fifty- six were built. The advanced version, the F2H-2 first flew on 18 August 1949. A total of 436 were built which includes 14 all weather fighters and 58 reconnaissance versions. Production of the –2 version ceased in September of 1952 and was followed by the –3 and –4 configuration. 894 Banshees were built and remained in US service until 1959. Marine fighting Squadrons; VMF-114, -122, -214, -533 and Marine Corps Reserve squadrons at EL Toro and Oakland/Alameda operated fighter versions of the Banshees. Marine Utility Squadrons VMJ-1, -2 and Headquarters Squadron-2 (HEDRON-2) operated the Photo version of the F2H.
18. LEATHR_090721_193.JPG: APU Tug (Auxiliary Power Unit Tug): This tug is equipped with an electrical Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) that was used to plug into aircraft to provide electrical power. This was done on the flight line or aboard an aircraft carrier before the aircraft engines were started. This type of Tug was a multi-purpose vehicle and was also used to tow ordnance trailers to aircraft where the ordnance was loaded onto aircraft hard points prior to bombing missions. The 3-wheel design permitted a small turning radius and maneuverability in tight spaces especially aboard aircraft carriers where airplanes were packed to save space. This model was used during the late 1940s and into the early 1950s.
19. LEATHR_090721_205.JPG: LSO Shack (Landing Signal Officer): The Landing Signal Officer (LSO) originally provided visual signals to pilots landing on aircraft carriers. Using colored paddles and wearing a flight suit with orange and pink stripes, the LSO signaled pilots to make corrections to their airspeed and altitude. With the advent of the Mirror Landing System in the mid-1950s, LSOs put the paddles away and communicated their instructions to pilots over the radio. Before pilots fly to aircraft carriers to perform actual carrier landings, they perform practice landings on runways that are painted to simulate aircraft carrier dimensions. The LSO for these practice sessions is often stranded at the end of the runway for hours at a time while aircraft come and go. This LSO Shack was built and positioned near the end of the runway here at Miramar, to serve as a radio control center and to provide the LSO a respite from the heat or cold of the day while awaiting the next flight or aircraft.
20. LEATHR_090721_245.JPG: CHANCE VOUGHT F4U5N "CORSAIR"
21. LEATHR_090721_257.JPG: CH46E "Sea Knight": C = Cargo H = Helicopter 46 = type E = model The Sea Knight has the unique tandem rotor head configuration originated by Piasecki Aircraft in the HUD Retriever during the mid-1950s, and continued by Bell Aircraft in a commercial helicopter that later evolved into the H46-H47 aircraft. The first commercial H46, called the "107 series," first flew in 1958. During the early 1960s, the Marines became interested in the H46 and in 1961 chose the H46, then called the HRB-1, after competition. The aircraft earned notoriety at the end of the Vietnam War when the U.S. was, embarrassingly, pulling out of Vietnam as a result of Congressional and public pressure. [Plus we had lost the war and the North was taking over most of the country. The sign doesn't mention that part.] On 29 April 1975, "Operation Eagle Pull" commenced with approximately 75 helicopters withdrawing U.S. forces from Vietnam before advancing communist units captured Americans fleeing Vietnam. Captain Gerry Berry USMC of HMM165 flew this helicopter, then called "Lady Ace 09" to the American Embassy to retrieve the U.S. Ambassador. It was initially thought this flight was the last helo out of Vietnam but a security force was left behind and a CH46 from HMM164 returned to fly them out.
22. LEATHR_090721_271.JPG: PIASEKI HUP "RETRIEVER" H - HELICOPTER U - UTILITY P - PIASEKI Originally designed to meet the requirements for the US Navy for shipboard use to include carrier plane guard duty, rescue, observation, inter-ship, and ship to shore utility missions. The HUP was small enough to fit on a carrier elevator without folding its rotors. The HUP could carry up to six people or three stretchers. The last HUP was delivered in 1954. The Marine Corps acquired 13 HUPs. This helicopter served at MCAS El Toro from 1962 to 1972.
23. LEATHR_090721_283.JPG: BELL AH-1J "SEA COBRA" A - ATTACK H - HELICOPTER 1 - FIRST MODEL J - 10TH MODIFICATION After borrowing 38 single engine AH-1Gs from the Army during the Vietnam War the USMC ordered attack helicopters of their own. The combat experience learned during this period lead to the development of an AH-1J "Sea Cobra." The first AH-1Js had a single engine and a rotor brake system to operate on ships. Later models came equipped with two engines. HMA-269 was the first to receive the Sea Cobra in April 1971. The AH-1J served in Desert Shield and Desert Storm with Attack Helicopter Squadrons HMA-773 and HMA-775.
24. LEATHR_090721_293.JPG: "Avenger" (Pedestal Mounted Stinger): Heavy High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV-HUMVEE): The Avenger is a lightweight, mobile and transportable surface-to-air missile and gun weapon system maintained on a HMMWV. It is designed to counter hostile cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, and low-flying, high speed, fixed wing and helicopters attacking friendly airspace. The Avenger is a "short-range" air defense system. Avenger was deployed during Desert Storm and is currently deployed in a variety of hot spots around the world. The Avenger had a two man crew and can operate in adverse weather conditions. The turret rotates 360 degrees.
25. LEATHR_090721_302.JPG: Sikorsky CH-53 A/D "Sea Stallion"
26. LEATHR_090721_310.JPG: Sikorsky HRS (H-19) "Chickasaw"
27. LEATHR_090721_332.JPG: SIKORSKY HUS (UH-34) "SEA HORSE" H - HELICOPTER U – UTILITY S - SIKORSKY The UH-34 first flew on 8 March 1954. The HUS/UH-34 entered Marine units in 1957. This aircraft is best known for its service in Vietnam where at least eight crew members earned the Navy Cross. Beginning with operation SHUFLY which ran from April 1962 through December 1964 the HUS was the main assault helicopter for the Marine Corps, as well as carrying out large numbers of RVN operations. A Marine HUS lifted Alan Shepherd Jr. out of the ocean on 3 May 1961 after completion of the Mercury 3 space flight; the first US manned sub-orbital flight. The HUS also participated in the Cuban Missile crisis, supporting disaster relief and rescues in the Pacific Northwest, Haiti, Honduras and Japan.
28. LEATHR_090721_340.JPG: AN/TPM-8 Radar Set: The AN/TPM-8 Radar Set is a light weight helicopter portable, aircraft traffic control & landing approach radar set designed for use during all weather conditions. This radar was used at "expeditionary" airstrips and helicopter landing zones. This Radar provides information used for air traffic control and radar surveillance of aircraft. Precision aircraft information such as: altitude, range, and course azimuth are displayed to controllers and used to direct aircraft approaching the landing site along a designated "glide path" & course line for a GCA (ground controlled approach) to landing. This radar set is operated by controllers who tell pilots to fly a particular course and altitude until the aircraft intercepts a published "glide path." Once the aircraft intercepts the "glide path," which leads to the runway or landing zones, the controllers give the pilot small course corrections to keep the aircraft on the "glide path," and altitude corrections that allows the aircraft to gradually & safely decend [sic] to landing.
29. LEATHR_090721_362.JPG: A.A. Cunningham: Father of Marine Corps Aviation: On 22 May 1912, Lieutenant A.A. Cunningham reported to the Navy's Aviation Camp at Annapolis, Maryland. (22 May is recognized as the birthday of Marine Corps Aviation.) On 1 August 1912, after two hours and forty minutes of instruction, Cunningham soloed and the Marine Corps had its first pilot designated as Naval Aviator Number Five (after Ellyson, Rodgers, Towers and Herbster of the USN). On 11 August 1913, Cunningham requested detachment from duty involving flight, "because my fiancee will not consent to marry me unless I give up flying." The request was approved a few weeks later. On 27 April 1915, Mrs. Cunningham relented and her husband received orders to Pensacola, Fla. By this time, Europe had been at war for two years and aviation was growing exponentially with the demands of battle. Cunningham was given command of the First Aviation Squadron of the Marine Corps and relocated to Paris, France to study French and British aviation tactics and strategies. With the help of Lieutenants B. I. Smith, W.M. MelLvain, F.T. Evans, and R.S. Greiger, who were the only other Marine Naval Aviators when the U.S. entered World War I, Cunningham organized the Northern Bombing Group and was subsequently given command of the 1st Marine Aviation Force. He received the Naval Cross for his combat service. Cunningham's career continued during these early years of aviation where his vision and insight helped pioneer Marine Corps aviation, making him the Father of Marine Corps Aviation.
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Wikipedia Description: Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum is located at Building T, 4203 Anderson Avenue, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, San Diego, California. The museum contains exhibits and artifacts relating to the history and legacy of United States Marine Corps Aviation. The exhibits include approximately 25 vintage aircraft in an outdoor area and a vast range of historical items inside the museum building.
Bigger photos? To save server space, the full-sized versions of these images have either not been loaded to the server or have been removed from the server. (Only some pages are loaded with full-sized images and those usually get removed after three months.) I still have them though. If you want me to email them to you, please send an email to guthrie.bruce@gmail.com and I can email them to you, or, depending on the number of images, just repost the page again will the full-sized images.
Same Subject: Click on this link to see coverage of items having the same subject: [Military (Non-Events)] [Museums (Other)]
2009 photos: Overnight trips this year: Niagara Falls, NY, New York City, Civil War Trust conferences in Gettysburg, PA and Springfield, IL, and my 4th consecutive San Diego Comic-Con trip (including Los Angeles, Yosemite, Death Valley, Kings Canyon, Joshua Tree, etc). Ego strokes: I had a picture of a Lincoln-Obama cupcake sculpture published in Civil War Times and WUSA-9, the local CBS affiliate, ran a quick piece on me. A picture that I took at the annual Abraham Lincoln Symposium appeared in the National Archives' "Prologue" magazine. I became a volunteer with the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Equipment this year: I mostly used the Fuji S100fs. I've also got a Nikon D90 and a newer Fuji -- the S200EHX -- both of which are nice but I still prefer the flexibility of the Fuji. Number of photos taken this year: 417,000.
Connection Not Secure messages? Those warnings you get from your browser about this site not having secure connections worry some people. This means this site does not have SSL installed (the link is http:, not https:). That's bad if you're entering credit card numbers, passwords, or other personal information. But this site doesn't collect any personal information so SSL is not necessary. Life's good!
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Photo Contact: [Email Bruce Guthrie].