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Maritime Museum of San Diego Presents Parade of Flight 100 Years of Naval Aviation

THe Maritime Museum of San Diego presents Parade of Flight – 100 Years of Naval Aviation on Saturday, February 12, 2011.

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 Saturday February 12, 2011 beginning at 1pm. Taking off from Naval Air Station North Island – the official “Birthplace of Naval Aviation” – Watch Navy, Marine and Coast Guard aircraft, from pre-WWI to the present Blue Angels F/A-18 jets, as they parade over San Diego Bay which will include a flyover over the Maritime Museum of San Diego!

The Centennial of Naval Aviation is a historic milestone. From its humble beginning in 1911, the Navy’s flight program has grown to become a guardian of freedom for America and its allies. It has succeeded because of the hard work and dedication of men and women who are willing to continually challenge themselves and, if necessary, sacrifice their lives for their country.

The mission of the Maritime Museum of San Diego is to serve as the community memory of our seafaring experience by collecting, preserving, and presenting our rich maritime heritage and historic connections with the Pacific world.

The Maritime Museum of San Diego enjoys a worldwide reputation for excellence in restoring, maintaining and operating historic vessels. The museum has one of the world’s finest collections of historic ships, including the world’s oldest active ship the Star of India. The Museum displays permanent and temporary exhibits on maritime history, commerce and exploration and stages popular public events such as “Festival of Sail” and family sleepovers on the Star of India

Maritime Museum of San Diego
1492 North Harbor Dr.
San Diego, CA 92101
T: 619-234-9153
F: 619-234-8345
www.sdmaritime.org
[email protected]

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