Boneyard Safari
Preserving Aviation HIstory

Here is a great example of the scale of Building 65 in comparison to the vertical stabilizer of the Vigilante. Also a good view of the Phased Array panels below the bridge. #ussenterprise #ra5c #boneyardsafari #navalsafari #aviationsafari

Here is Building 65 in 1990 before starting SLEP at Newport News. Anyone think it would be great to save the island before she goes to the breakers? #ussenterprise #cvn65 #boneyardsafari #navalsafari #aviationsafari

One the most unique photos of aircraft launching from the Big E! #ussenterprise #boneyardsafari #navalsafari #aviationsafari

Here is USS Enterprise CVAN-65 under construction at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Co., 23 July 1958. #ussenterprise #cvn65 #boneyardsafari #navalsafari

USS Enterprise CVAN-65 returning to NAS Alameda in 1967 following her deployment to the Western Pacific during the Vietnam War. Check out the size of Vigilante in the flight deck, note the aircraft in camo. #ussenterprise #cvn65 #boneyardsafari #navalsafari #aviationsafari

What year was this photo of the Big E? #ussenterprise #cvn65 #boneyardsafari #navalsafari #aviationsafari

Here is the Big E (USS Enterprise CVAN-65) in 1961 during builders trials, she was able to make over 40 knots during high speed runs. She was the first nuclear powered aircraft and had 8 nuclear reactors and took less than 4 years to build. #ussenterprise #cvn65 #boneyardsafari #navalsafari #aviationsafari

If you are not already familiar with Building 65, that’s the nickname for the island of USS Enterprise CVAN-65. This is when she had her Hughes SCANFAR the first phased array radar system, back in the 60’s. #ussenterprise #cvn65 #scanfar #boneyardsafari #navalsafari

#otd Plane handling crews moving a F4F aboard USS Enterprise CV-6 during the Battle of the Santa Cruz Island’s, 26 October 1942 #ussenterprise #cv6 #boneyardsafari #aviationsafari

#otd Japanese aircraft carrier Zuiho still underway after several hits by planes from Task Force 38 during the battle off Cape Engano, 25 October 1944. Photographed from an aircraft from USS Enterprise CV-6. Note the flight deck camouflage, men on deck, buckled flight deck amidships and mast deployed horizontally, with a Japanese Naval ensign at its tip. #ijnzuiho #ussenterprise #boneyardsafari #aviationsafari