USS Midway Update

[Eagle3]

March 21, 2003 -- The day is coming when Midway will begin her final tour of duty on the South side of Navy Pier in San Diego. She will mark San Diego's first major new visitor attraction in more than 20 years. She'll serve as the cornerstone of the revitalized North Embarcadero, the gateway to downtown. She'll join the Star of India and other historic and visitor attractions along the waterfront.

We are currently planning to begin towing this great ship to San Diego from Bremerton Washington later this summer. She will stop on the way and be spruced up for her debut in San Diego in Fall 2003!

In addition, our museum planning committee has completed its plan for opening-day, exhibits, features and demonstrations. In support of exhibits aircraft restoration is underway! Our first aircraft, an E-2C, has been fully restored. Work is also underway on our A-7 and A-6.

We have also begun collecting photographs and cruise books for exhibit aboard MIDWAY. If you would like to consider donating artifacts to our collection, visit our Web site at www.midway.kintera.org and click on "contact us." (Please include details on the item you wish to donate and how you would like to be contacted.)

We look forward to welcoming you aboard,
San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum
1355 North Harbor Drive
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 702-7700
www.midway.org

[Billntwrk]

:) Greetings!:)
A brief update. On Fridays, for the next three or four weeks, Volunteers are needed to help *Field Day the* the ship. Just show up at the pier at or about 9 am and our friendly Pier Greeters will pass you thru, direct you to "FREE" parking and get you on your way.

The Docent training program, being run by Rudy Shappee is well underway. Rudy is running over lapping classes with sessions scheduled for week days and week ends. I have even heard that the training sessions include a box lunch of aome sort. I can't swear to this because I am not in training to be a Docent.

On or about April 15th, Pete Clayton will institute a Safety Patrol group made up of Volunteers. Vic Vydra, currently the Pier Greeter Coordinator will transition to Safety Patrol Coordiantor and I will act as his trusty admin assistant.

In my mind, this is a superb opportunity because we will have access to some areas of the ship not generally availiable to other volunteers. We will assist the docents by guiding guests away from restricted areas, assist in closing the museum each day and other tasks still being identified by Pete and other.

As we move closer to opening, I cannot emphasis enough. By joining the Circle of Friends (For as little as one hundred dollars, payable in installments) you can just about guarantee your self an invitation to the Grand Opening.

Financial contributios (Tax Deductable) no matter how small are greatfully appreciated. Just point your browser to www.midway.org and look for the link.

As info becomes availiable, I will post it on this forum.
BP
:cool: Our future is so bright, we gotta wear shades!

[Eagle3]

Great update Billntwrk. Let me know if you ever find the 'bowling alley'. ;)

[Billntwrk]

Greetings!

Just yesterday (March 16th) Work was started on erecting a safety fence around the Flight Deck. (See Photoalbum Midway In San Diego/Bill Purcells March Album for Pics) The world famous Mr. *Z*, Chief Engineer aboard the Hornet Aircraft Carrier Museum is down, helping Pete and his crew of Contractors and volunteers.

When the process reaches the stage of erecting the posts I will document with photos.

The midway has become a favorite spot for reenlistments. This is remarkable in that the reenlistment ceremonys take place outside the gate leading to the pier, using the ship as a back drop. I wonder what will happen when the ship actually allows general visiting/viewing.

Again, when it happens and I am allowed to post it, look no farther than this site.
BP
:cool: Our future is so Bright, We gotta wear shades!

[Billntwrk]

Greetings Friends!
Today was a big day for the Museum. We had our 10,000 official visitor. I say official because we gave out the 10k copy of the History Flyer. A copy is in the Pubs section of this website. The copy went to a couple visiting from Cape Cod, Mass. Several of the voulnteers were on hand. I took a pic for you folks to see. I sent it to Buzz earlier. I have a Pic of ADM Mcglahin (MAC) our Chief Operating Officer. This will go to Buzz soon.I will work on Pics of Theresa and ADM Mixon in the coming days.

Today I visited AIMD Berthing (Forward of the Hanger Bay), CIC, CATCC, Ward Room (Both Clean and Dirty Shirt) Several State rooms, First Class mess, and several engineering spaces. I also made it to the ATO office, The Large Crash and Salvage Locker. and the Big Ships store on the third deck. I saw the post office (Inside and some CR spaces). I only shot pics of CIC, Berthing and CATCC and some flight deck work.

This reminds me. The Fence posts are going up faster than I anticipated but I have some pics. These will all be forwarded to Buzz real soon. I dont want to over whelm Buzz. It is alot of work.

As always, as stuff develops I will pass it along. Just so you know. I have a life! LOL. I have a job that afords me alot of down time and mostly week days as off days. Life is starting to get busy now so I will be sending Buzz stuff around wednesdays/thursday mornings. Fri-Mon I am the busiest.
Bill Purcell
:cool: Our Future is so bright, we gotta wear shades

[Billntwrk]

:D Greetings Friends!
I just finished sending Buzz a ton of Pic's. I suspect they will be showing up over the next few days. By my count, I have sent him nearly 80 pics (5 at a time with caption sheets). His mail box is probably pretty full. If anyone contacts him and has their mail bounced back because of a full box, it's probably my fault.

High Lights include AIMD Berthing, CIC, CATCC, NTDS COntrol Room, BPDMS HB Control room (Jim Beam Crew?), Ward Room, State rooms, Chaplains office, Post Office and Rep 4 along with the Main Ships store. Also included are first ever pics of the Real Guest Men's Room. Still underconstruction as they say but getting there. I also got a shot of the Goat Locker lounge (CPO Mess/Lounge). And Finally 1st class mess/Emergency Operating table on the Mess Decks. Next up, with Petes Permission is Medical and more of the chiefs mess. GOing to try and locate the Forward Mess Decks, CMC Stateroom and some CPO Berthing.

I have logged about 12 hours aboard the ship and still have not seen even a quarter of it.

:cool: Our future is so bright, we gotta wear shades!

[JeffAlso]

I really envy you guys being able to check out Midway as volunteers. I have half a mind to fly out there some weekend just to lend a hand.

Thanx much for donating your time to get her presentable for when she opens!! I'm very much looking forward to seeing her again.

[Billntwrk]

Jeff,
Get that half a mind to the Full mind comitment! Every Friday is field day friday. Just show up at the pier, tell the friendly pier greeter you are there to help in the *Field Day* and you will get access. No Parking Problems, it's free.

Mind you, ya have to do this before we open. Contact me Billntwrk@yahoo.com for more info! We all keep the dream alive!

:cool: Our future is so bright, we gotta wear shades!

[Billntwrk]

Greetings Shipmates, Shipwrecks and Midway fans all over the world!

Just sent about 20 more pics to Buzz. Highlights include some flag spaces (COS Cabin, Lounge) Captains galley, S2 division spaces, V1 division office and Restoration update photos of FDC and the ships anchor (Located on the flight deck forward near spot 2)

Stay tuned to this very page for *Breaking* News tomorrow complete with Photos! Can't exactly say what is happening but it is a major step in advancing the ship to Museum status. Rander and Buzz both know but we have to keep exposure to a minimum until AFTER the event. Sory for the trick pease but something have to be as low key as physically possible.

Restoration continues to advance at an amazing rate! Pete, Terry and Vic Z are overseeing a dedicated group of contracters and volunteers.

Walk up visitors to the pier are averaging about 400-450 a day. Our group of volunteers received verbal Kudo's because it is believed that our efforts to educate the public while controlling access to the pier has helped in the spike of donations and commerative ticket purchases. This effort is also helped along by Buzz and Troy. Gentleman, take a damn virtual bow one time! LOL.

I cant say this enough. Nor can I stress it enough...Here is one of your best sorces for accurate and timely information. Everything I send to buzz is done so with the full Knowledge of MAC (Big Boss) and Pete (ChENG) or Scott Our official spokesman.

Until the next update...
Billntwrk
SDACM Volunteer
Ships company 1981-1984
:cool: Our future is so bright we gotta wear shades!

[Billntwrk]

Greetings, Friends/Fans of the Midway. I bring news from the restoration "Front"

First of all, Simulators have been loaded aboard and I grabbed some Pics. Go Photogallery and look for Bill Purcells PhotoAlbum, April edition.

There are also a couple Cock Pit Mock Ups from Communists Aircraft. This is only a guess but the Red Star painted on the side of the cock pit, is what leads me to this conclusion.

Some exibits are being set up as I write this. For example, A wall of Paintings is set up in 'Bay one depicting the evolution of the Air Craft Carrier. This wall has pictures of the Lead Ship from Every Class. It also has a brief history, engraved on Plastic Plaques and mounted to the protective rail.

Pete Clayton, Chief Engineer has indicated that he is prepared to move forward with the R.R.5 restoration, provided funding is sufficient and availiable. Translated, we have the sprinkler contractors on board now and it is easier to add more work than it will be to call them back. At least that is my take. Pete and Buzz remain in contact but it is incumbent on all old A-6 guys to make this happen. Remember, your donation is tax deductable. If you choose to donate, COntact Buzz @ Eagle3@cv41.org for more info.

The Flight Deck restoration is underway. Captain Chuck Smiley and His son are heading up this effort. Former CV-41 Air Bos'n C.J. Heard will supervise and guide the effort to get Non-Skid layed down. Prep work is underway as we speak.

Bunny Slope is 60-70% complete and I have sent photos docuumenting this.

Flight Deck Control is about 80% complete.

So, there you have it! The latest Update as we move toards June 7th, Our Grand Opening.
Billntwrk@yahoo.com sends.