Navy Day 1928 – Mock Battle Air Show Over Norfolk, VA – Original Press Photo

This rare original 1928 press photograph captures the excitement of Navy Day celebrations in Norfolk, Virginia, on November 2, 1928. In a dramatic public demonstration, U.S. Navy biplanes—likely Curtiss F6C Hawks or similar interwar naval aircraft—swoop low over staged troops and cannon placements in a choreographed “sham battle.”

The annual Navy Day, held near October 27, was designed to showcase American naval power to the public. The 1928 event featured coordinated land and air displays, including simulated combat runs by naval aircraft. The photo vividly shows:

• Foreground: U.S. Navy troops crouched behind brush with cannons ready

• Midground: Two low-flying Navy biplanes passing overhead in tight formation

• Background: Government-style buildings, hangar-like structures, and tall smokestacks

The image is a striking visual record of interwar military pageantry, bridging the era between WWI’s aerial combat and WWII’s massive air campaigns.

Details:

• Date of Event: November 2, 1928

• Location: Norfolk, Virginia, USA

• Aircraft: Likely Curtiss F6C Hawks or Vought biplanes in Navy markings

• Type: Original silver gelatin press print

• Size: [Insert dimensions]

• Condition: Sepia tone, light edge wear, minor crease near top center

• Reverse: Original typed paper label with full caption and date; partial press agency stamp (“WORLD PHOTOS”)

Historical Significance:
Photographs like this are seldom found outside institutional archives and are prized by collectors of U.S. Navy history, aviation enthusiasts, and press photo specialists. It captures the Navy’s interwar-era effort to engage the public and display its readiness in both air and sea operations.