Foley’s vintage Navy biplane will fly in this weekend’s Veterans Flight event in Pensacola, marking a historic first for the city and its aircraft. The bright yellow 1941 Navy N3N biplane, now based in Foley, will join a fleet of vintage military planes taking veterans of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam on commemorative flights. The Veterans Flight is part of the annual Blue Angels Air Show and serves as a tribute to those who served in past conflicts. This is the first time an N3N will participate in the event, which began as a local effort more than a decade ago.

The Veterans Flight is scheduled for July 11 and 12 at the Pensacola Aviation Center at Pensacola International Airport. Several World War II veterans, some over the age of 100, are expected to take part. Each aircraft is scheduled to make two or three flights during the morning hours of both days. Other planes taking part include Stearman biplanes, T-6 Texans, and a T-34 Mentor.

RELATED ARTICLE:  Foley Adds Plane To Upcoming Aviation Museum Collection

Phil Webb, the volunteer pilot who maintains and flies the N3N for the city of Foley, said the Veterans Flight began around 12 years ago. At first, the focus was on flying World War II veterans. As fewer WWII veterans remain, the program expanded to include veterans from the Korean and Vietnam wars. Webb said this year’s event also marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in 1945.

Foley acquired the N3N in 2024 and flew it from Long Island, New York to its new home in Alabama. The aircraft will be a key part of a planned municipal display honoring Foley’s recent designation as an American World War II Heritage City by the National Park Service. Foley is the only city in Alabama to receive this designation.

During World War II, Foley was home to Barin Field, a naval training base where thousands of pilots were prepared for service. City officials plan to develop a museum to honor that history, using the N3N and other aircraft from the era. The N3N is considered an iconic model used by the Navy to train pilots during the 1930s and 1940s. Production of the aircraft ended in 1942, and it remained in military use until 1959, making it the last biplane flown by the U.S. military.

The city has also received a non-flying T-34B Mentor from the National Naval Aviation Museum to include in the display. Organizers hope to acquire more planes that were once based at Barin Field and continue educating the public about Foley’s role in training military aviators.