Photos above: (1) USS Ranger in 1937; (2) USS Yorktown at carrier pier loaded with aircraft; and (3) USS Yorktown at North Island, 1939.
Coronado Public Library’s second exhibit in a series commemorating the Centennial of Naval Aviation has just opened. The exhibit, “Naval Aircraft go Around the World, 1924-1941,” continues the chronological story of the 100 years of Naval Aviation. This exhibit highlights the achievements in aircraft carrier development and use, advancement in airplanes, and improvements in tactics. During this exciting period, Naval and Marine pilots and aircraft were breaking speed and altitude records and developing dive-bombing and torpedo dropping maneuvers. In this same period, Naval Aviation went far beyond its early observation functions and deployed aircraft carriers to remote locations for diverse duties. This exhibit will be up through the month of April.
The Libray’s exhibit includes historic photos and documents; a timeline; uniforms and gear; scale models of the period’s aircraft and an aircraft carrier; as well as squadron insignia art, an airplane bombsight, and diverse memorabilia. This is the second exhibit presented by the Coronado Public Library in commemoration of the Centennial of Naval Aviation, with the first exhibit having featured the birth of Naval Aviation in 1911. The next exhibit begins in May and will include the years of World War II. Items for the exhibits are on loan from the San Diego Air & Space museum; The Tailhook Association; the International Plastic Modeler’s Society, San Diego Chapter; and private lenders.
