USS Midway Museum showcases Historic Naval Aviation Legacy
The USS Midway, a legendary aircraft carrier now serving as a museum, offers a captivating glimpse into the evolution of naval aviation. Visitors can explore a collection of over thirty aircraft, spanning from World War II-era designs to more contemporary models, displayed both on the flight deck and within the ship’s hangar.
Aviation Safari at the USS midway Museum! #navalaviation #aviationsafari #aviationpreservation #Boneyardsafari pic.twitter.com/a3AD3flzCp
— Boneyard Safari (@Boneyardsafari) May 28, 2023
Throughout its operational history, the USS Midway played a significant role in pivotal moments of the 20th century. After participating in numerous missions during the Vietnam War in the early 1970s, the Midway became the first U.S. carrier group to be permanently stationed in Yokosuka, Japan. Notably, aircraft operating from the Midway achieved both the first and the last air-to-air victories against enemy MiGs during the Vietnam War.
The carrier marked a significant milestone in 1986 by conducting the final deck launch of an F-4 Phantom II in U.S. Navy service. This transition to F/A-18 Hornets highlighted the Midway’s adaptability,as the ship was originally designed to accommodate piston-driven aircraft like the F4U Corsair. While the F-14 Tomcat was too large to be a regular part of the Midway’s air wing, at least two Tomcats briefly operated from its deck after diverting due to adverse weather conditions.
In the lead-up to its decommissioning, the USS Midway contributed to Operation Desert Storm. Its A-6 Intruder strike aircraft were the first carrier-based aircraft to fly over iraqi territory, initiating the war’s first carrier-launched strikes. The Midway did not lose any aircraft during this conflict.
The aircraft collection at the USS Midway Museum showcases a diverse range of naval aviation history. Visitors can see iconic aircraft such as the F4U Corsair, AD Skyraider, and F7U Cutlass, alongside more modern aircraft like the F/A-18 Hornet, EA-6B Prowler, SH-60 Seahawk, and S-3 Viking.