Intrepid Museum to Open New Permanent Exhibition March 21

More than 50 Never-Before-Seen Artifacts, Crew Member Oral Histories, Videos, Photos and More Showcase Intrepid’s History

World War II Corsair Goes on Display

NEW YORK – March 13, 2025 – Since opening in 1982, the Intrepid Museum has preserved the legacy of the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid and shared the stories of the brave crew members who served aboard. For the first time since 2008, the Museum is introducing never-before-seen artifacts from its collection that tell the story of Intrepid, as well as displaying its newest WWII aircraft acquisition.

The new 10,500 square foot exhibition will include more than 50 of these never-before-seen artifacts in addition to oral history videos from former crew members, photos on display for the first time and hands-on experiences. This permanent exhibition debuts to the public on Friday, March 21, at the main entrance to the Museum, its Hangar Deck.

As visitors enter the ship, they will be greeted by the dramatic sight of a newly-restored World War II FG-1D Corsair. This legendary fighter-bomber, on loan from the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida, is one of the few remaining intact Corsairs worldwide. While this specific Corsair never flew from Intrepid, Corsairs were among the most flown aircraft from Intrepid’s flight deck.

Following its arrival in October 2024, the aircraft underwent restoration by the Museum's in-house team of experts, preserving its authenticity and historical significance. The plane will bear the markings of the Corsair flown by Intrepid pilot Alfred Lerch, who earned "ace in a day" status by downing seven enemy aircraft in a single day.

“This is one of the most compelling and important exhibitions in the Intrepid Museum’s history,” said Museum President Susan Marenoff-Zausner. “The stories of the ship’s crew members and the innovation of the ship are simply remarkable. We will be providing additional depth and context to Intrepid's history to bring visitors even closer to what life was like on board.”

The Corsair’s addition will complement the previously unveiled "Final Flight: The Story of a World War II Corsair," which now features additional artifacts, including personal items donated by Loren Isley's family. Isley lost his life in his first combat mission. Pieces of his plane were discovered off the coast of Japan and returned to Intrepid in 2023. His story is the centerpiece of “Final Flight.”

The aircraft carrier USS Intrepid served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1974, a period of great political, social and technological change. Over three decades, the Navy modernized Intrepid and prepared the crew to meet the challenges of wartime and peacetime deployments around the world. Key additions that will enrich Intrepid’s remarkable story include:

1. A new section on the ship’s WWII service which highlights artifacts that connect with individual experiences. These artifacts include a personalized engraved bracelet with a list of locations/battles, a fighter pilot’s logbook and a Western Union telegram notifying parents of their son’s death.
2. Oral histories with crew members where they describe how inexperienced sailors learned to work as a team.
3. A greater focus on the crew, including uniforms and gear, representing the types of people who served on board: sailors, officers, aviators and Marines.
4. An expanded look at the ship’s systems, including a new exhibit on steam power with an animation to explain how steam powered the aircraft catapults.  
5. Tactile objects to make the exhibits more engaging and accessible: touchable tailhook and arresting cable; touchable WWII medals; tactile version of Intrepid’s seal patch; and touchable models of the Corsair and the ship’s propeller.
6. A display on the ship's construction alongside comparisons to current aircraft carriers and associated technologies.

The additional objects and artifacts will enrich students' understanding of World War II during the Museum’s educational programs. Expanding the narrative to highlight the crew members and their lived experiences will provide a more complete picture of life onboard. Additionally, the Corsair is a remarkable example of innovation in aircraft design, further enhancing the Museum’s award-winning STEM programming.

The exhibition has been made possible thanks to generous support from: The Kislak Family Foundation, Inc.; Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust; Cushman & Wakefield; Anonymous; Ng Family Foundation; Gayley Forsyth Knight; Jocelyn Forsyth Vick; and Elizabeth Candace Forsyth.

Plane fragments from “Final Flight: The Story of a World War II Corsair” are on loan courtesy of the Naval History and Heritage Command Underwater Archaeology Branch.