Naval Craft (past & present)

[Blair]

Major 2,

Also in Charleston is the Museum Ship USS Laffey. A WWII DD (sorry I don't remember the hull number) right next to the Yorktown CV-10.
During the Battle of the Philippine Sea, she was hit by 7 Kamikazes and hit with 4 bombs. She became known as "The Ship that wouldn't Die"!
Pretty amazing History of this Ship.
My best,
Blair

[Major 2]

Blair
She is named in honor of a CW Union Sailor who was Metal of Honor recipient...

[Arcey]

I'd really like to add Patriots Point to my list of  been-there-seen-thats. It ain't that far 'n I'd get a senior discount. Problem is I'd want to see it all 'n the reality is I couldn't do it in just a couple days. It may take that long just to do the Yorktown justice.

A sub is somethin' I'm missin'. I've been within a few feet of several but it ain't the same as bein' aboard. At his point in time a diesel would be mighty fine.

[Blair]

There is a very good Naval Air Sponsored Film that can be accessed (I believe through You Tube) called the "Fighting Lady". It focuses on the USS Yorktown CV-10. (The 1st. Aircraft Carrier with that name had hull number CV-5)
For those of you interested... this is great introduction to WW-II Aircraft Carrier operations.

Arcey,

I always wanted to visit the U-505 Museum. (this is the one in Chicago) It was captured by a US baby flattop/jeep carrier. (I believe it was the USS Guam)
I had the chance to help carry mail over to three US Sub docked in Soda Bay, Greece.
One was a Boomer, the other two were air breathing "Snorkel" boat conventional Subs. I don't know how long they had been in port, but, below decks, the air was still, not what I considered very good. It was, in fact, rather foul. I liked the fresh air of open flight deck too much I guess.
I know we always had Subs in escort of each Carrier Task Force. However, we seldom ever saw them, but that is how it should be.
My best,
Blair

[Mean Bob Mean]

Speaking of subs:

A really great read regarding WWII Subs is "Operation Drumbeat" profiling the exploits of Reinhard Hardegen.  Hardegen jumped at the chance to inspect a US sub prior to the war and he was blown away by how nice they were. 

Another great read for naval afficianados is Dreadnought by Massie, regarding the Pre WWI naval buildup in Europe.  Fascinating behind the scenes stuff in that one. 

[Arcey]

Done read everything I could find on the capture of the 505 'n a couple films. It'd be a special event to lay hands and eyes on her for real. Chicago'd  be bit far. Think she was outside the last time I was there but I was on business 'n too busy to look.

I go on a sub tears ever now 'n again. Read or watch anything related. Even a sub's role in Operation Mincemeat. That scam was a hoot.

We gotta shooter goes as Wildcat Will. He's an original member of the PP BoD. Retired sub sailor. The guy's one of the most fun folks to be around yer gonna find. Shoots Holy Black, Gun Fighter with a pair of stainless .45 Vaqs stuffed full of all the powder he can get in the cases. Uses a 10 ga., dual exhaust shotgun. Yells stuff while he's shootin' 'n always spouts a loud 'Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Hawwwwwwwwwwwwww!!' after his last shot.

Made the comment to 'nother shooter one day he was plumb crazy. Will responded ta that by askin' what I expected from a guy what used ta spend six months at a time inna sewer pipe with a hundred other guys.

Heh, heh, heh..... Suspect there sumthin' in the air even in the well scrubbed atmosphere of a boomer.

[Major 2]

I offer this it runs 45 minutes or so... enjoy

[Texas Lawdog]

I was able to tour the museum at Pensacola during the 75th Anniversary of Naval Aviation. I also got to visit the Submarine Museum at Groton, Connecticut. The Nautilus had just been decommissioned and made part of the Museum.  I was lucky enough to get to tour it. I read all about the ship when I was in grade school, reading the Weekly Reader.  Charleston is on my "Bucket" list as well as the Norfolk area. I wanna see that Battlewagon that is up there in that area.  I will take to see Arcey as well.

[Mean Bob Mean]

If I could only tour one more ship before I die I'd like to see USS Olympia.

[Blair]

The Naval Air Squadron I was in hold a reunion every two years. The often go to Pensacola because of the Naval aviation Museum.

Originally this Squadron starts out as VT-4 when it is commissioned on Jan. 10th 1942 (this is only about 34 day after the attack on Pearl Harbor.)
The "V" stands for fixed wing, or heavier than air aircraft.
The "T" stands for Torpedo.
During this time period the "4" indicates the Carrier and/or Carrier Air Group.
VT-4 was sent to CV-4, the USS Ranger. The Ranger, was the first US Carrier built from the keel up as a Carrier.
Ranger was kept in the North Atlantic as Anti Sub and air cover for Convoys.
They were shipped back to the States before D-Day where they changed aircraft from the Dauntless to the Avenger and sent to the Pacific in time for invasion of Latty Gulf.

[Texas Lawdog]

The U-505 is actually outside, but it has a hole cut in the side of the hull that is inside the museum. It was in the 90s the day I was there. It as nice to be inside with the air conditioner on. I got to tour the"Spruce Goose" in Long Beach before it was moved to Oregon.

[pony express]

TLD, the whole sub is inside now, has a walkway with related displays all around it in a huge room.

[Major 2]

I got to ship on the USS Balao in 1959 when she was the Pink Sub in "Operation Petticoat".
They were doing some Archive and loop shots, they did not take her down though, way to shallow around Key West.
She was later cut up, but her Conning tower are at the National Museum of the United States Navy.

I had a book of her War service , but it was lost in my Fire 2 years ago ...

I've also been on the USS Drum at Battleship Memorial Park in Mobile, Alabama , it was still in the astern of the USS Alabama.
Now I think she overhauled and is land locked.

I've seen a few Boomers head out from Kings Bay,  but never been on one ...

[Arcey]

On the Leyte actions, if you're interested, Battle 360 did an interesting computer animation of one of the naval battles.

The Military History Channel airs them every now and again. It's worth the time to watch or record.

On subs, a fasinating piece on Project Azorian runs on the same network.

[Blair]

Major 2's reply with all the "right side' History solection is very good for those interested in this kind and type of History.
Each solection may lead you into a new area of interest.
It maybe Ships it maybe aircraft and not always Navy aircraft.
View, and enjoy what you can find.
My best,
Blair

[Arcey]

The Wisconsin, BB-64, at the western terminus of Plume Street, Norfolk, VA.



1 May '14 - 1100 hrs.

[Arcey]

Historic Confederate sub Hunley, built in Mobile, gets chemical bath to expose hull

http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2014/05/historic_confederate_sub_hunle.html

It's an AP piece. My local rag carried it but this one shows an image.

[WaddWatsonEllis]

To Blair,

My Dad was a brown-shoe Mustang ... and I still think one of the most alluring sounds is that of an aviation Radial starting up ...

TTFN,

[Blair]

TTFN,

You bet! Start up is pretty impressive. I can' imagine what it would have been like firing these up in the Hanger Bay. (something they did in the pre Jet era)
But, the sound of one of the big Radial's, wound out on an attack run, is something that is difficult to describe.
My best,
Blair

[Mean Bob Mean]

I still think one of the most alluring sounds is that of an aviation Radial starting up ...

The distinct hum of the V12 Merlin RRs is amazing as well.  If you've ever heard a Lancaster, it sounds like a flock of mustangs coming over.