Aviation News – In a rare and historic moment, the USS Lexington Museum in Corpus Christi, Texas welcomed a new addition to its flight deck. On Wednesday, July 30, a retired TH-57C Sea Ranger U.S. Navy training helicopter landed directly aboard the legendary aircraft carrier.
The TH-57C Sea Ranger 162684/E-122 from TAW-5, used by the U.S. Navy to train helicopter pilots until just days prior, was flown in as a tribute to its active service. Making the occasion even more notable, the aircraft’s modern successor, the TH-73 Thrasher, accompanied the delivery by also landing on the USS Lexington (CV-16).
This marks a significant departure from the museum’s usual practice of receiving aircraft exhibits by crane or truck. By choosing to land the aircraft, the Navy honored the operational legacy of the TH-57C Sea Ranger and created a unique visual experience for visitors and military aviation enthusiasts.
The TH-57C becomes the second helicopter displayed at the Lexington, joining a Vietnam-era AH-1 Cobra already on exhibit. The newly arrived Sea Ranger will undergo preparatory maintenance and restoration over the next few weeks before being officially unveiled to the public.
Photo US Navy
