Patriots Point Waves in New Aircraft onto the USS Yorktown
MT.PLEASANT, S.C.--Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum welcomed the newest and largest aircraft to date for the USS Yorktown’s flight deck on historic Charleston Harbor in Mt. Pleasant, S.C. on Thursday, July 8.
“The historical and national value of Patriots Point is further reinforced with the addition of one of the largest aircraft to operate on a carrier”
The aircraft arrived at Patriots Point by barge and a crane was used to place it onto the Yorktown flight deck.
The aircraft, a Douglas EA-3B Skywarrior, was first introduced in 1956 and for many years, represented the largest aircraft designed to operate from a carrier. Nicknamed “the whale,�?? the Skywarrior was instrumental as a strategic bomber in the Vietnam War and as a surveillance plane during the Cold War. Production ceased in 1961 with a total of 282 produced and it was officially retired in 1991.
Patriots Point features 27 historic aircraft onboard the USS Yorktown, including the Douglas AD-4N Skyraider, and the Grumman F6F Hellcat r.
“The historical and national value of Patriots Point is further reinforced with the addition of one of the largest aircraft to operate on a carrier,�?? said Patriots Point Executive Director Dick Trammell. “We appreciate the Skywarrior Association funding this exciting new addition.�??
Please visit Patriots Point for additional information.
About Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum
Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum began in 1975 when the legendary aircraft carrier Yorktown appeared in the Charleston Harbor of South Carolina. The Yorktown was dedicated as the first ship of the Naval & Maritime Museum on the 200th birthday of the U.S. Navy and opened to the public in 1976. It currently includes the Yorktown, the Balao class submarine Clamagore, priceless war planes, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society and its official Medal of Honor Museum. It features the only replica of a Vietnam Support Base in the United States and a Cold War Submarine Memorial. www.patriotspoint.org
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6354959&lang=en