Leatherneck Gallery - National Museum of the Marine Corps VA
N 38° 32.666 W 077° 20.579
18S E 295809 N 4268826
Four aircraft which served key roles in Marine history are featured in the central gallery of the Marine Corps museum.
Waymark Code: WMC5E9
Location: Virginia, United States
Date Posted: 07/27/2011
Views: 13
Suspended overhead in the Leatherneck Gallery of the
National Museum of the Marine Corps
are four aircraft -- a Curtiss JN-4 "Jenny" biplane from 1919, two Corsair fighters from World War II and a Harrier jet. The planes can be viewed from the main floor (first deck) and the second deck which has balconies. There is also a 3-level observation tower on one side.
Curtiss JN-4 information plaque:
1919
CLOSE-AIR
SUPPORT
"WE ZOOMED DOWN ON THEM, opening fire as we came within range."
-Major Ross E. Rowe, Marine Aviator, Nicaragua, 1927
Marine aviators as early as 1919 "zoomed down" in their flimsy bi-planes to bomb and strafe enemy troops in support of the ground battle. The Marines had learned that fighting well-armed guerrillas in the mountains of Haiti and Nicaragua beyond the range of the fleet's guns left a dangerous firepower gap. Marine pilots closed the gap by pioneering dive-bombing techniques to deliver close support to infantry comrades. Pushing bi-planes like the Curtiss "Jenny" into screeching dives to drop bombs at treetop levels, the pilots initiated the combined air-ground team concept that became a permanent Corps hallmark and the envy of riflemen of every armed force.
Corsair information plaque:
1943
"THE WHISTLING DEATH"
"THE F4U CORSAIR was a formidable weapon...a remarkable and rugged aircraft."
-Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth A. Waslsh, Corsair ace (21 kills), Medal of Honor
Before the Vought F4U Corsair made its combat debut at Guadalcanal in early 1943, the Japanese Zero fighter ruled the skies over the Pacific in World War II. The Corsair changed the equation. The new plane's superior speed and firepower overcame the more agile Zero repeatedly in one-on-one dogfights. In the ground attack role, guided by forward air controllers, the Corsair delivered spectacular close support to Marine and Army riflemen in two wars. Japanese troops reportedly called the gull-winged Corsair "The Whistling Death" for its distinctive sound during strafing dives.
Harrier information plaque:
1970
BIRD OF PREY
LIKE ITS NAMESAKE, a bird of prey, the Harrier is a ground attack aircraft capable of patient hunting and sudden forays.
The Marines chose the Harrier in the 1970s because its radical Vertical/Short Take Off and Landing (V/STOL) technology would enhance the close support provided by Marine aviators to embattled infantry units. At sea, the Marines could launch Harriers from the decks of amphibious assault ships, closer to inshore targets than aircraft carriers. Ashore, the Harrier's ability to operate from austere sites far forward of standard airfields reduced flight time to the objective and allowed the aircraft to attack targets for longer intervals before refueling. Harrier pilots gave exceptional attack support to ground Marines in Kuwait, Afghanistan, and Iraq.
Other aircraft is on display throughout the various war galleries and the Legacy Walk of the museum.