Login
Login

Patuxent River Naval Air Museum

{{Infobox museum

| name = Patuxent River Naval Air Museum

| logo = Patuxent River Naval Air Museum Logo.png

| image = File:Pax River Museum MD1.jpg

| caption =

| map_type = Maryland#USA

| map_caption = Location in Maryland

| coordinates = {{Coord|38.276225|-76.4634651|display=inline,title}}

| established = 1975

| dissolved =

| location = Lexington Park, Maryland, U.S.

| type = Naval aviation museum

| collection =

| visitors =

| director = Dr. Scott Gray{{cite news |last1=Reid |first1=Michael |title=Gray announced as new executive director at Patuxent Naval Air Museum |url=http://www.somdnews.com/news/local/gray-announced-as-new-executive-director-at-patuxent-naval-air-museum/article_6c899807-e766-5ab3-9ba9-19f79368150a.html |access-date=31 January 2022 |work=Southern Maryland News |date=15 December 2021}}

| president =

| curator =

| publictransit =

| network =

| website = {{URL|paxmuseum.com}}

}}

The Patuxent River Naval Air Museum is a museum at Lexington Park, Maryland, first opened in 1978, which preserves and interprets the Naval Air Station Patuxent River history and heritage of advancing US naval aviation technology with artifacts, photographs and film, documents, and related heritage memorabilia from Patuxent River and other naval stations. The museum is dedicated to those who have employed their talents in advancing naval aviation research, development, testing, and evaluation.

History

In late 1974, a steering group was formed, which prepared the necessary incorporating papers and bylaws, and introduced legislation to the Maryland General Assembly. On 14 March 1975, the Naval Air Test and Evaluation Museum (NATEM) Association was approved and established as a non-profit, tax exempt organization in the State of Maryland. In 1976, the Navy provided the current building and grounds in Lexington Park, Maryland, and the museum opened its doors to the public in July 1978. In 1978, the Museum was recognized by the Secretary of the Navy as one of the ten official Navy museums.{{cite web|url=http://www.outermarker.co.uk/Articles/PaxRiver/paxriver.htm|title=Testing, testing...NAS Patuxent River Museum|author=Paul Tiller|publisher=Outer Marker|accessdate=2011-02-17}} The museum later lost that official designation around 2016, due to federal budget restructuring.{{cite web |title=About Us |url=https://paxmuseum.com/about-us/ |website=Pax River Naval Museum |access-date=17 August 2023}}{{cite web |title=Issue 34 A visit to the PAX River Naval Air Museum |url=https://aviationhistorymuseums.com/blog/2022/5/27/pax-river-naval-air-museum |website=Aviation History Museums |date=28 May 2022 |access-date=17 August 2023}}

In 2015, the museum acquired a mural that had been on display at the officer’s club of the neighboring naval air station.{{cite news |title=Navy test pilot school mural raised from ruin at the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum |url=http://www.dvidshub.net/news/472915/navy-test-pilot-school-mural-raised-ruin-patuxent-river-naval-air-museum |access-date=29 June 2024 |work=DVIDS |date=3 June 2024}}

On May 28, 2016, the museum opened a new building.{{cite news|last1=Atkielski|first1=Jacqui|title=Naval Air Museum hosts grand opening weekend|url=http://www.thebaynet.com/articles/0516/navalairmuseumhostsgrandopeningweekend.html|accessdate=2 April 2018|work=TheBayNet.com|publisher=TheBayNet.com|date=2 June 2016}} In 2018, a new collections management facility was added.{{cite web |title=Exhibits |url=http://paxmuseum.com/exhibits |website=Patuxent River Naval Air Museum |access-date=31 January 2022}}{{cite web |title=Hoyer Attends Opening of the Newly Renovated Patuxent River Naval Air Museum Flight Technology Hall and Collections Management Facility |url=http://hoyer.house.gov/content/hoyer-attends-opening-newly-renovated-patuxent-river-naval-air-museum-flight-technology-hall |website=U.S. Congressman Steny Hoyer |access-date=31 January 2022 |date=4 December 2017}} A temporary exhibit about anthropometrics opened in January 2025.{{cite news |title=New exhibit sizes up prospective naval aviators at Patuxent River Naval Air Museum |url=http://www.dvidshub.net/news/489478/new-exhibit-sizes-up-prospective-naval-aviators-patuxent-river-naval-air-museum |access-date=30 April 2025 |work=DVIDS |date=22 January 2025}} The museum leased a nearby {{convert|6,500|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} event space in March 2025.{{cite news |last1=Reid |first1=Michael |title=Pax River museum leases 6,500-square-foot facility to expand |url=http://www.somdnews.com/enterprise/news/local/pax-river-museum-leases-6-500-square-foot-facility-to-expand/article_4ac3ba01-0bea-43f5-a107-079b5fc80952.html |access-date=30 April 2025 |work=Southern Maryland News |date=24 March 2025}} The following month it opened a temporary exhibit about the Naval Test Pilots School.{{cite news |title=Navy Test Pilots Take Center Stage in New Exhibit at Patuxent River Naval Air Museum |url=http://www.thebaynet.com/navy-test-pilots-take-center-stage-in-new-exhibit-at-patuxent-river-naval-air-museum |access-date=30 April 2025 |work=The Baynet |date=7 April 2025}}

Facilities

The museum is composed of three buildings: A and B, which are exhibit galleries and C, which is used for collections storage.{{cite news |last1=Goodell |first1=Jessica |title=Patuxent River Naval Air Museum expansion in full swing |url=http://www.thebaynet.com/patuxent-river-naval-air-museum-expansion-in-full-swing-html |access-date=30 May 2024 |work=TheBayNet.com |date=23 March 2015}}

Aircraft on display

File:Lockheed-Martin X-35C Patuxent.jpg on display]]

File:PaxNAM 2003.jpg

{{div col}}

  • AAI RQ-2 Pioneer 101{{cite web|title=The Patuxent River Naval Air Museum|url=https://www.lowapproach.be/museums/united-states-of-america/patuxent-river-naval-air-museum/|website=Low Approach Aviation Photography|accessdate=29 January 2025}}
  • BAE Systems Silver Fox 103{{cite web|title=The Patuxent River Naval Air Museum|url=https://www.lowapproach.be/museums/united-states-of-america/patuxent-river-naval-air-museum/|website=Low Approach Aviation Photography|accessdate=29 January 2025}}
  • Beechcraft PD-373 Texan II N8284M{{cite web|title=Airframe Dossier - Pilatus-Beecraft PC-9Mk.2, c/n PT-2, c/r N8284M|url=http://www.aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=75724|website=Aerial Visuals|publisher=AerialVisuals.ca|accessdate=3 April 2018}}
  • Beechcraft T-34B Mentor 140921{{cite web|title=Raytheon T-34B Turbomentor|url=http://www.paxmuseum.com/t34/t34.htm|website=Patuxent River Naval Air Museum|accessdate=2 April 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100712155223/http://www.paxmuseum.com/t34/t34.htm|archivedate=12 July 2010}}{{cite web|title=Airframe Dossier - Beech T-34B Mentor, s/n 140921 USN, c/n BG-255, c/r N34PR|url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=40418|website=Aerial Visuals|publisher=AerialVisuals.ca|accessdate=3 April 2018}}
  • Bell-Boeing MV-22B Osprey 164940{{cite web |last1=Baugher |first1=Joe |title=Third Series (164196 to ???) |url=http://www.joebaugher.com/navy_serials/thirdseries23.html |website=JoeBaugher.com |accessdate=2 July 2019 |date=10 June 2019}}
  • Bell OH-58C Kiowa (Cockpit){{cite web|title=OH-58C Kiowa|url=https://www.paxmuseum.com/kiowa|website=Patuxent River Naval Air Museum|accessdate=29 January 2025}}
  • Bell TH-1L Iroquois 157842{{cite web|title=Bell TH-1L Iroquois (Huey)|url=http://www.paxmuseum.com/th1l/th1l.htm|website=Patuxent River Naval Air Museum|accessdate=2 April 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100712155310/http://www.paxmuseum.com/th1l/th1l.htm|archivedate=12 July 2010}}{{cite web|title=Airframe Dossier - Bell TH-1L Iroquois, s/n 157842 USN|url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=5206|website=Aerial Visuals|publisher=AerialVisuals.ca}}
  • Bell TR911X{{cite web|title=Bell Eagle Eye Helicopter|url=https://www.paxmuseum.com/bell-eagle-eye|website=Patuxent River Naval Air Museum|accessdate=29 January 2025}}
  • Boeing Vertol CH-46E Sea Knight 152578{{cite web|title=Boeing Vertol CH-46E Sea Knight|url=https://www.paxmuseum.com/boeing-vertol-sea-knight|website=Patuxent River Naval Air Museum|accessdate=30 January 2025}}
  • Boeing X-32B{{cite web|title=Boeing X-32B JSF Demonstrator|url=http://www.paxmuseum.com/X32/x32b.htm|website=Patuxent River Naval Air Museum|accessdate=2 April 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090606182627/http://www.paxmuseum.com/X32/x32b.htm|archivedate=6 June 2009}}{{cite news|last1=Jaffe|first1=Bryan|title=X-32B joins air museum family|url=http://www.navair.navy.mil/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.NAVAIRNewsStory&id=3161|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120925054643/http://www.navair.navy.mil/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.NAVAIRNewsStory&id=3161|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 25, 2012|accessdate=2 April 2018|work=NAVAIR News|publisher=U.S. Navy|date=7 April 2005}}
  • Curtiss A-1 (Replica){{cite web|title=A-1 The Triad|url=https://www.paxmuseum.com/the-triad|website=Patuxent River Naval Air Museum|accessdate=30 January 2025}}
  • Douglas NF-6A Skyray 134764{{cite web|title=Douglas F-6A Skyray (Formerly F-4D-1)|url=http://www.paxmuseum.com/f4d/a6a.htm|website=Patuxent River Naval Air Museum|accessdate=2 April 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100712152820/http://www.paxmuseum.com/f4d/a6a.htm|archivedate=12 July 2010}}
  • Grumman C-2A Greyhound 162142{{cite web|title=Northrop Grumman C-2A Greyhound|url=https://www.paxmuseum.com/northrop-grumman-greyhound|website=Patuxent River Naval Air Museum|accessdate=30 January 2025}}
  • Grumman E-2B Hawkeye 152476{{cite web|title=Grumman E-2B Hawkeye|url=http://www.paxmuseum.com/e2b/e2b.htm|website=Patuxent River Naval Air Museum|accessdate=2 April 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100712152805/http://www.paxmuseum.com/e2b/e2b.htm|archivedate=12 July 2010}}{{cite web|title=Airframe Dossier - Grumman E-2B Hawkeye, s/n 152476 USN|url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=2063|website=Aerial Visuals|publisher=AerialVisuals.ca|accessdate=3 April 2018}}
  • Grumman EA-6B Prowler 158033{{cite news|last1=Shrum|first1=Joy|title=New aircraft on the 'prowl' at Patuxent River Air Museum|url=http://www.thebaynet.com/articles/1217/new-aircraft-on-the-prowl-at-patuxent-river-air-museum.html|accessdate=2 April 2018|work=TheBayNet.com|publisher=TheBayNet.com|date=2 December 2017}}{{cite web|title=Airframe Dossier - Grumman EA-6B Prowler, s/n 158033 USN|url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=7617|website=Aerial Visuals|publisher=AerialVisuals.ca|accessdate=3 April 2018}}
  • Grumman F9F-8B Cougar 144275{{cite web|title=Grumman F9F-8B Cougar|url=http://www.paxmuseum.com/f9f/f9f.htm|website=Patuxent River Naval Air Museum|accessdate=2 April 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100404135135/http://www.paxmuseum.com/f9f/f9f.htm|archivedate=4 April 2010}}{{cite web|title=Airframe Dossier - Grumman F-9J Cougar, s/n 144275 USN|url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=5536|website=Aerial Visuals|publisher=AerialVisuals.ca|accessdate=3 April 2018}}
  • Grumman NF-14D Tomcat 161623{{cite web|title=Grumman F-14A Tomcat|url=http://www.paxmuseum.com/f14/f14.htm|website=Patuxent River Naval Air Museum|accessdate=2 April 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100712152810/http://www.paxmuseum.com/f14/f14.htm|archivedate=12 July 2010}}{{cite web|title=Airframe Dossier - Grumman NF-14D Tomcat, s/n 161623 USN, c/n 482|url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=6120|website=Aerial Visuals|publisher=AerialVisuals.ca|accessdate=3 April 2018}}
  • Grumman NA-6E Intruder 156997{{cite web|title=Grumman A-6E Intruder|url=http://www.paxmuseum.com/a6/a6.htm|website=Patuxent River Naval Air Museum|accessdate=2 April 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100713091537/http://www.paxmuseum.com/a6/a6.htm|archivedate=13 July 2010}}
  • Grumman S-2D Tracker 149240{{cite web|title=Grumman S-2D Tracker|url=http://www.paxmuseum.com/s2/S2.htm|website=Patuxent River Naval Air Museum|accessdate=2 April 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100712152825/http://www.paxmuseum.com/s2/S2.htm|archivedate=12 July 2010}}
  • Gyrodyne QH-50D DASH DS-1679{{cite web|title=Museums Supported|url=http://www.gyrodynehelicopters.com/museums_supported.htm|website=Gyrodyne Helicopter Historical Foundation|accessdate=2 April 2018}}
  • Honeywell RQ-16B T-Hawk II A11022
  • Kaman CQ-24A K-MAX 169221{{cite web|title=KamanN CQ-24|url=https://www.linkedin.com/posts/patuxent-river-naval-air-museum-association-inc_paxnavalairmuseum-flightlinefriday-aviationlovers-activity-7288525953520029696-T8Yi?utm_source=social_share_sheet&utm_medium=android_app&utm_campaign=copy_link|website=LinkedIn|accessdate=28 January 2025}}
  • Kaman SH-2G Seasprite 161642{{cite web|title=Kaman SH-2G Super Seasprite|url=http://www.paxmuseum.com/sh2/sh2.htm|website=Patuxent River Naval Air Museum|accessdate=2 April 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100712155216/http://www.paxmuseum.com/sh2/sh2.htm|archivedate=12 July 2010}}
  • Lockheed C-130 Hercules (Cockpit){{cite web|title=Lockhhed C-130|url=https://www.paxmuseum.com/unveiling-c130-cockpit|website=Patuxent River Naval Air Museum|accessdate=29 January 2025}}
  • Lockheed S-3B Viking 159770{{cite web|title=Lockheed S-3B Viking|url=http://www.paxmuseum.com/S3/s3.htm|website=Patuxent River Naval Air Museum|accessdate=2 April 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091022125446/http://www.paxmuseum.com/S3/s3.htm|archivedate=22 October 2009}}{{cite web|title=Airframe Dossier - Lockheed S-3B Viking, s/n 159770 USN, c/n 3099|url=http://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=75722|website=Aerial Visuals|publisher=AerialVisuals.ca|accessdate=3 April 2018}}
  • Lockheed Martin X-35C 300{{cite web|title=Lockheed Martin X-35C JSF Deomonstrator|url=http://www.paxmuseum.com/x35/x35.htm|website=Patuxent River Naval Air Museum|accessdate=2 April 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100404135118/http://www.paxmuseum.com/x35/x35.htm|archivedate=4 April 2010}}
  • LTV NA-7A Corsair II 152658{{cite web|title=Ling-Temco-Vought A-7A Corsair II|url=http://www.paxmuseum.com/a7/a7.htm|website=Patuxent River Naval Air Museum|accessdate=2 April 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090622041639/http://www.paxmuseum.com/a7/a7.htm|archivedate=22 June 2009}}
  • McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II 161576{{cite web|title=McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II|url=https://www.paxmuseum.com/mcdonnell-douglas-harrier-2|website=Patuxent River Naval Air Museum|accessdate=30 January 2025}}
  • McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II 153071{{cite web|title=McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II|url=http://www.paxmuseum.com/f4/f4j.htm|website=Patuxent River Naval Air Museum|accessdate=2 April 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100711045920/http://www.paxmuseum.com/f4/f4j.htm|archivedate=11 July 2010}}
  • McDonnell Douglas F/A-18B Hornet 162885{{cite web|title=McDonnell Douglas F/A-18B Blue Angel|url=https://www.paxmuseum.com/blue-angel|website=Patuxent River Naval Air Museum|accessdate=29 January 2025}}
  • McDonnell Douglas NA-4M Skyhawk 155049{{cite web|title=McDonnell Douglas NA-4M Skyhawk|url=http://www.paxmuseum.com/a4/a4.htm|website=Patuxent River Naval Air Museum|accessdate=2 April 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100712152755/http://www.paxmuseum.com/a4/a4.htm|archivedate=12 July 2010}}
  • McDonnell Douglas NF/A-18A Hornet 161353{{cite web|title=McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A Hornet|url=http://www.paxmuseum.com/f18/f-18.htm|website=Patuxent River Naval Air Museum|accessdate=2 April 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100712152816/http://www.paxmuseum.com/f18/f-18.htm|archivedate=12 July 2010}}
  • McDonnell Douglas T-45A Goshawk (Cockpit){{cite web|title=T-45 Goshawk Cockpit|url=https://www.paxmuseum.com/goshawk-cockpit|website=Patuxent River Naval Air Museum|accessdate=29 January 2025}}
  • Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21MF (Cockpit) 74 Red{{cite web|title=MiG-21 Cockpit|url=https://www.paxmuseum.com/fishbed-cockpit|website=Patuxent River Naval Air Museum|accessdate=29 January 2025}}
  • Navmar RQ-23 TigerShark XP{{cite web|title=University of Maryland UAS Test Site Acquires TigerShark Aircraft|url=https://www.unmannedsystemstechnology.com/2017/12/university-maryland-uas-test-site-acquires-tigershark-aircraft/|website=Unmanned Systems Technology|accessdate=2 February 2025}}
  • North American RA-5C Vigilante 156643{{cite web|title=North American RA-5C Vigilante (Formerly A-3J)|url=http://www.paxmuseum.com/a5/ra5c.htm|website=Patuxent River Naval Air Museum|accessdate=2 April 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091203115743/http://www.paxmuseum.com/a5/ra5c.htm|archivedate=3 December 2009}}
  • North American T-2C Buckeye 158320{{cite web|title=North American T-2C Buckeye|url=https://www.paxmuseum.com/north-american-buckeye|website=Patuxent River Naval Air Museum|accessdate=30 January 2025}}
  • North American NT-39D Sabreliner 150987{{cite web|title=North American Rockwell T-39D Sabreliner|url=http://www.paxmuseum.com/t39/t39.htm|website=Patuxent River Naval Air Museum|accessdate=2 April 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081223155445/http://www.paxmuseum.com/t39/t39.htm|archivedate=23 December 2008}}
  • Northrop T-38A Talon 623625{{cite news|last1=Cipolloni|first1=Donna|title=U.S. Naval Test Pilot School's T-38 is in the house|url=http://www.dcmilitary.com/tester/tenant_profile/u-s-naval-test-pilot-school-s-t--is/article_d5ae9ac9-6f5e-57f7-a5ef-6a5b080c613e.html|accessdate=2 April 2018|work=Tester|publisher=DC Military|date=10 November 2016}}
  • Northrop Grumman RQ-8A Fire Scout 166414{{cite web|title=RQ-8A Fire Scout Helicopter|url=https://www.paxmuseum.com/fire-scout-helicopter|accessdate=29 January 2025}}
  • Northrop Grumman X-47A Pegasus (Mockup){{cite web|title=X-47A Pegasus Combat Air Vehicle|url=https://www.paxmuseum.com/pegasus-combat-air|accessdate=29 January 2025}}
  • Sikorsky UH-3A Sea King 148038{{cite news|title=Its reign in the fleet over, naval Sea King helicopter now rests at Pax Museum|url=http://www.navair.navy.mil/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.NAVAIRNewsStory&id=5939|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160904115428/http://www.navair.navy.mil/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.NavairNewsStory&id=5939|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 4, 2016|accessdate=2 April 2018|work=NAVAIR News|publisher=U.S. Navy|date=29 May 2015}}{{Cite web |title=Gallery 2 |url=https://www.paxmuseum.com/search-rescue-helicopter |access-date=2024-06-29 |website=Patuxent River Naval Air Museum |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Navy Serial Number Search Results |url=http://cgibin.rcn.com/jeremy.k/cgi-bin/gzNavySearch.pl?target=148038&series=3 |access-date=2024-06-29 |website=cgibin.rcn.com}}
  • Sikorsky NCH-53A Sea Stallion 151686{{cite web|title=Sikorsky CH-53A Sea Stallion|url=http://www.paxmuseum.com/ch53/ch53.htm|website=Patuxent River Naval Air Museum|accessdate=2 April 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100712152800/http://www.paxmuseum.com/ch53/ch53.htm|archivedate=12 July 2010}}{{cite web|title=Airframe Dossier - Sikorsky NCH-53A Sea Stallion, s/n 151686 USN, c/n 65003|url=http://www.aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=10505|website=Aerial Visuals|publisher=AerialVisuals.ca|accessdate=3 April 2018}}

{{div col end}}

See also

References

{{reflist}}

External links

{{Commons category|Patuxent River Naval Air Museum}}

  • {{Official website}}

{{Maryland museums}}

{{authority control}}

Category:United States naval aviation

Category:Naval museums in the United States

Category:Military and war museums in Maryland

Category:Aerospace museums in Maryland

Category:Museums in St. Mary's County, Maryland

Category:Chesapeake Bay

Category:Museums established in 1975

Category:1975 establishments in Maryland