View Full Version : USS Midway Arrives At San Diego
USS Midway Arrives At San Diego (http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/military/20040105-1904-midwaymuseum.html)
By Seth Hettena
ASSOCIATED PRESS
7:04 p.m. January 5, 2004
SAN DIEGO – The aircraft carrier USS Midway arrived Monday in San Diego Bay, where it will soon have a permanent home along Navy Pier as the nation's biggest museum devoted to carriers and naval aviation.
Tugs pulled the 74,000-ton decommissioned warship down the Pacific coast from a naval graveyard off Washington state to begin its new life. After taking on restored vintage aircraft at the Navy base in Coronado, the Midway will cross the bay to the city's waterfront next weekend to become the San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum. A spring opening is planned.
The Midway will be the nation's fifth and largest aircraft carrier museum. The others are the Intrepid in New York; the Yorktown in Mount Pleasant, S.C.; the Lexington in Corpus Christi, Texas; and the Hornet in Alameda, Calif.
Museum backers raised $8 million and spent more than a decade clearing regulatory hurdles to get the Midway out of mothballs.
"Someday, we'd like to be talked about in the same breath as Sea World and the zoo," said Scott McGaugh, a museum spokesman. "It's remarkable to think San Diego has almost a 100-year history with the Navy and yet has no naval aviation museum."
The Midway was the world's largest warship when it was launched in March 1945, less than six months before the Japanese surrender in World War II. The ship got its name from the Battle of Midway, the turning point of the Pacific war in which U.S. forces defeated a Japanese fleet in 1942 near the mid-Pacific atoll.
The Midway served three combat tours in Vietnam and launched warplanes over Iraq in 1991. The ship saw many firsts, including the first jet takeoff from a carrier and the dawn of naval missile warfare when a captured German V-2 rocket was launched from its deck.
The Midway was decommissioned in 1992 as the longest-serving carrier in U.S. Navy history. About 200,000 sailors and airmen called the Midway home over the years.
From SDACM;
Watched by thousands across the county, live & via satellite, Midway arrived in San Diego Bay this afternoon. With the backdrop of a picture perfect sunset over NAS North Island, San Diegans looked on as an important piece of naval history entered their great harbor to take her place.
Midway will on-load aircraft and equipment, then prepare for her final journey across the Big Bay on Saturday, January 10th. For additional information on the event visit www.thebigbay.com.
For additional information on visiting San Diego go to www.sdcvb.org
:)
Welcome Home USS Midway and Thanks to all who took part in bringing the great ship and all of its history to Americas Finest City, San Diego California.
Anticipated Opening date is June 4th to 6th 2004 to coincide with the 62nd anniversery of the Battle of Midway Island
:thumbsup:
"If your not having fun, You're not doing it right"
Log on to www.signonsandiego.com and look for the webcam icon
then click on the web cam and look for the Marina south camers view and the midway is there
Rander, welcome aboard!
I just put links on cv41.org's main page menu for the North Island and Navy Pier web cams.
dylumph
01-08-04, 01:20 PM
Wonder which carrier that is with the white island?
:D
Hello USS Midway fans!
looks like restored aircraft are being loaded onboard Midway this morning as I saw an A-6 Intruder and an A-7 CorsairII on the deck at 10:59 am PST 01/08/2004
there may also be an E-2C Hawkeye and an F-14 Tomcat ready to load aboard. The Tomcat had to be towed to North Island as it was on loan to the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum at MCAS Miramar (The USMC took over Miramar in October 1997) The Marines fly F/A-18's C-130's CH-53-e's and CH-46's from Miramar.
I live in the San Diego area and can be E-mailed at rander8828@hotmail.com :thumbsup:
Originally posted by dylumph
Wonder which carrier that is with the white island?
ttprince said that was the Nimitz and the Stennis is in between Nimitz and Midway.
dylumph
01-09-04, 05:04 AM
Thanks for everything Buzz, I kept the live cams on all day at work yesterday and saw the birds coming on board.
I can't wait to get out there and see her one more time. I'm just courious how many changes to the interior took place over the years since the 70s. I remember knowing the route from berthing to the line shack so well that many,many times I awoke at work!
:cool:
Hello Midway Fans; January 10,2004
The USS Midway was final berthed at pier 11a in San Diego this morning under bright sunny skies and a high temperature of 72 degrees. IT was fitting that a Navy Band was there to play all those musical numbers that are associated with Navy ship movements. The Midway was all decked out in red white and blue bunting and a large american flag flew at her mast.
I could only see 3 of the planned 40 or so aircraft the SDACM plans to have onboard. But now that the Midway has completed all of her required movements, I think we'll see a steady increase in the number of aircraft on board.
There appeared to be about 500 or so people who rode the Midway across the bay from NAS North Island. All waited anxoiusly, as we sailors used to when ever our ship pulled in to port, for the brows to get put up and liberty could commence.
I took a camera with me and took lots of pictures of the Midway, and I like to contact eagle3 and get some of them posted here.
:thumbsup:
geraldataylor
01-10-04, 06:02 PM
I was pleased to see all the people who showed up this morning for Midway's arrival. I was even more supprised when the sailors of the Midway were asked to stand and be recognized. Not too many were standing, at least where I could see. There must have been a run on Midway hats at the sales counter. Lots of people arrived with hats, and many more were bought. T-shirts hats ,sweatshirts,mugs and shot glasses were selling like hotcakes.. well.. the shot glasses were not going quite as fast..:)
Sigh...
The "boat" looked great coming across the bay. Lots of people manning the rails. The ceremony was short, but well spoken.
I was at the Decomissioning in 92. My family stated that there seemed to be more people there then.
All in all.. a beautiful day was had by all. A nice warm day, and the Midway home at last.. Life IS good!
Gerald VA-115 Air Intel
Hey guys... I had a blast Saturday manning the ship one last time. I have a ton of photos in the Gallery at cv41.org. Just follow the links, Gallery, San Diego - Navy Pier, The Big Bay Crossing. They're divided up into sections to make it a little easier to go through. If anyone has photos taken either from the pier or the ship they'd like to share on the site just e-mail me.
I just checked the Navy Pier cam and still can't believe she's there and I was on it just 48 hours ago.
OBTW - ttprince should have his photos online at midwaysailor.com real soon now. He and I spent the day crawling everywhere we could. It was great remembering stuff long forgotten and finding stuff we did remember. :)
Moly-B-Boyz-115
01-12-04, 12:24 PM
So just how emotional did you get Buzz, when you stepped back on the ol' Midway again after so many years? Personally myself Im sure I would have a hard time keeping things under control.
Its a bit surreal that im able to site here in NYC and bring up a live web-cam everyday.
Checked out your photos of the crossing just now. Thanks for posting them so quickly! They sure cleaned her up real nice.
Just how restrictive were they as far as you being able to go where you wanted to on the ship? Did you get to roam around any of the passage ways on your own, and did you get to visit Va-115's line shack? As I recall it was around mid-ship on the port side. I may be wrong on that, its been some time since I was there!
Fantastic job on keeping this web-site current and interesting Buzz!
Regards, Ed
:cry:
Hi Midway fans
I was on the pier last saturday morning watching the Midway make its very last movement and berthing.
I spent 21 years on active duty and retired in February 1990, as and being on the pier even brought a tear or to to my eyes,
remembering all the memories of my own navy career. Though I never sailed on the Midway, I made 6 cruises on Enterprise and 1 cruise on Ranger.
:thumbsup:
I am going to NAS North Island this friday to meet John Leach and start doing volinteer work at the aircraft restoration hanger.
John told me this morning that work on the Midway hasen't started yet, but soon will. I will try to keep you all posted on whats happening on the ship and at the hanger.
:thumbsup:
Originally posted by Moly-B-Boyz-115
So just how emotional did you get Buzz, when you stepped back on the ol' Midway again after so many years? Personally myself Im sure I would have a hard time keeping things under control.
I had a couple of moments. One was on the flight deck. I stood in the middle while the ship was halfway to Navy Pier. I knelt down to put my hand on the deck. It was like the whole three years I was onboard flashed through me in an instant. The other was in the hangar after the ceremony and they played "Fanfare For The Common Man".
Its a bit surreal that im able to site here in NYC and bring up a live web-cam everyday.
Checked out your photos of the crossing just now. Thanks for posting them so quickly! They sure cleaned her up real nice.
There's some work to do but for the most part she looked great. The fantail looks like they just whitewashed it. The flight deck needs some fresh non-skid BAD! The expansion joints up there look pretty bad too. There was evidence of Seagulls dropping clams to break them open. Scott said when they went up to Bremerton to start getting her ready to move, the deck was a real mess!
Just how restrictive were they as far as you being able to go where you wanted to on the ship? Did you get to roam around any of the passage ways on your own, and did you get to visit Va-115's line shack? As I recall it was around mid-ship on the port side. I may be wrong on that, its been some time since I was there!
Restricted to the flight deck, hangars, four ladderways to and from, and you could go aft where the AIMD Jet Shop was. There really wasn't anyone watching close and I occasionally made a "wrong" turn, but they only had lighting on where you needed to go. If you went around a dark corner you couldn't see jack. I did try to get into the Eagle Line, but there was a ton of shit stacked in front of the entrance. I saw BDS 6 though! :laugh:
Fantastic job on keeping this web-site current and interesting Buzz!
Regards, Ed
Thanks Bro! I'm hoping to get out there again soon and do little exploring. Need to invest in a miner's hat though. ;)
:)
I was at the Aircraft Restoration Hanger this morning, I found out the Midways flight deck will be getting new nonskid. You will just have to watch the web cam to see when that will happen. there are meetings going on this week and next week to finalize the priority in which the work on the ship will be done.
I will be working as a volinteer at the restoration hanger on fridays and maybe another day if, I all the to do things at NAS Back Yard get done in a timely manor.
Plans are in the works to bring the ships C-1A to San Diego. I will try to find out when that happens. It's the one pictured on the website www.midway.com go to the links, click restoration hanger, then click aircraft, and scroll down to the C-1A and click.
:thumbsup:
Great news Rander. Wish I was out there so I could work on the restorations. I was asked to help when I was out there. I told them the commute would be a little too long. ;)
OBTW - the link is www.midway.org and the Restoration Hangar's website is http://members.cox.net/midwayhangar/
:) Hi Midway Fans
They could use your help, Buzz. According to Jim Redfield there are only about 30 people doing all the restoration work. that also includes a person or two to get technical pubs, a person or two to make phone calls to get parts that the Navy can no longer provide. another one or two people to do historical research.
Basically the crews that come in on Tuesdays and Fridays do most of the aircraft restoration. the Saturday and Sunday crews work on miscellanious things like yellow gear and painting panels
and restored yellow gear I think they will have three restored TA-75 tractors on the ship and one at the hanger. One of the F-4 phantoms will be towed to NARF North Island Next week to be painted in a generic Navy Paint job. The F-14 Tomcat at MCAS Miramar is being sanded now and when it is ready to be painted the Marines at Miramar will Paint it in a generic paint job. More Later
:thumbsup:
craig1427
01-21-04, 07:43 AM
I am completely jealous. I have dreamed of seeing the old girl again. Now I know what I want for next Christmas. A trip to San Diego!!!!
If you stay at the Holiday Inn On The Bay you'll be about two blocks from the ship. I stayed at the Bayside Holiday Inn... don't make this mistake. It's way up past the airport.
craig1427
01-21-04, 03:42 PM
Thank you very much for the heads up. My daughter even offered to pay for the ticket to go there. So it looks like the dream will come true. I saw the little videos from signonssandiego.com and I thought she looked pretty good.
:) 01/24/04
Check out the really great picture of the Midway on the www.midway.org website.
I had a brief conversation with Mo Peele (Captain USN RET) former CO of the Constallation, He tells me that not much has happened on the ship as of Jan 23rd. The designers are there with the SDACM staff deciding where to cut and drill to make best use to the spaces that will be used for exhibits and meeting halls.
I will try to get down to the Midway soon to try to get aboard for a look see at whats happening. One of the guys I work with on Fridays at the hanger gave me some things to say to try to get aboard. Most areas of the ship hanger deck and above are lighted so I should be able to see to get around. If any of you guys remember space numbers of, for example, the VA-115 lineshack, I'll try to check it out. Remember hanger deck and above!
AS for the Hanger I spent 3 hours on the 23rd working on the SDACM's SNJ Texan aircraft (similar to the one on the website).
I learned that when the Navy bought SNJ's for naval service they were painted yellow in color so that of one crashed they could easily find it. The Navy was the only branch of the military to paint their SNJ's yellow. The Army and Marines were painted silver. The SNJ that the museum has is currently silver, but since it was built in the 1930's it has never logged 1 minute of flight time! This SNJ was constructed of left over parts. Its one claim to fame is that it was shown in a movie back in the 80's in which Goldie Hawn was a star in the movie and she played a Rosie the Riviter, from World War II. This SNJ was a gift to the SDACM.
The F-4J #1 is at NAS North Island NARF being painted in a generic paint job, may possibily be back by next friday.
The F-14 at MCAS Miramar is being sanded and primered. This particular F-14 last flew in 1984 and has been mostly a static display aircraft since. It also has been heavily neglected and as such has more corrosion than anticipated. I will be a while longer before this aircraft can be painted.
Also at the restoration hanger is an SH-2D Seasprite helicopter. current plans will be buff out the paint and put back to gether. There are no plans to paint this aircraft, unless someone wants to sponsor it and then it will be painted.
The ships C-1A has been moved to the Pima Air Museum from Davis Monthan AFB. The Pima Air Museum in Arizona, is next to D-M AFB.
Thats it for now more next week.
:thumbsup:
:)
For those of you planning to come to San Diego to see the USS Midway, I will try to get a list of near by hotels to stay at
The Holiday Inn on the Bay
1355 North Harbor Drive
San Diego, Ca.
Reservations 1-619-358-6019 for this hotel only.
You may also call the Holiday Inn World Wide Reservation line at
1-800-465-4329.
Looking forward to seeing all of you in San Diego.
Any questions E-mail me rander8828@hotmail.com
:thumbsup:
:)
Hey buzz; I have two cds of pics that I took from the pier on the tenth. E-mail me at rander8828@hotmail.com. Maybe if I get a snail mail address I can mail them to you there are about 50 photos you may be able to use for the web site.
:what:
cv41v2agwife
01-25-04, 10:35 AM
Randar,
Thanks for all of the information you are sharing with us. As far as hotel informaiton in the area of Navy pier...my husband and I have already done some homework. Visitor information is posted on our site located at http://ontheramp.tripod.com/index.htm. We have compiled a list of hotels within 7 miles of Navy pier as well as airport and car rental information. If you can provide any comments on the facilities it would be greatly appreciated.
Buzz,
I hope you do not mind me sharing this site with your members. This site was built mainly for our little family but I thought I would share what we have already put together.
Hey Rander, thanks for the Restoration Hangar update. Can't wait to see then loading new planes on the web cam.
I sent you an e-mail regarding your CD's and offer to go exploring. :)
Originally posted by cv41v2agwife
Buzz,
I hope you do not mind me sharing this site with your members. This site was built mainly for our little family but I thought I would share what we have already put together.
Not at all, especially if it's helpful to folks coming to visit the ship, but the link doesn't work. I get a Tripod error page that the page doesn't exist.
cv41v2agwife
01-25-04, 11:31 AM
Sorry about the dead link. The wise webmaster has corrected my error. The live link is http://ontheramp.tripod.com
craig1427
01-25-04, 01:49 PM
The new link works. I must say I like the main page it is very well written.
Billntwrk
01-25-04, 03:41 PM
In answer to dylumph's Post asking about the identity of the two cariers across the Bay from Midway. To the left of the Midway is the Stennis. To the right and covered in a White shroud over the Supersturcture, is the Nimitz. The shroud is, supposedly there, to protect the environment while the Island is being, blasted and painted. Thats what we are told in San Diego and this is what I tell the many hundreds of walk up visitors that visit the Midway Pier each and every day since her arrival. Also, Fans of this website will be happy to know that I and the 12 or so other Pier Volunteers of the SDACM, point visitors in the direction of two websites. www.Midway.org and www.CV41.org . Folks, this is a Genuine, Bonafide "No Shitter"
Billntwrk
SDACM Volunteer
Ships Company, 1981-1984
:)
billntwrk: I volinteer at SDACM aircraft restoration hanger. please E-mail rander8828@hotmail.com I have a couple of questions about Midway I need to get answered.
to cv41v2agwife: any thing I can do to help. If your in the San Diego area, I live in Mira Mesa area about two miles north of MCAS Miramar. E-mail me and we'll make sure visitors to San Diego get good accurate information, when they come to see the USS Midway.
rander8828@hotmail.com
:thumbsup:
Billntwrk
01-27-04, 02:00 AM
Got your email. Sent you a reply. Billntwrk
:)
For those Baseball fans planning to come and see the USS MIdway; The San Diego Padres new ballpark opens officially on April 8, 2004. The San Francisco Giants will be the first visiting team to play an official game in Petco Park.
The Milwaukee Brewers will be in San Diego June 4,5,6 2004. the new ball park is only about 1 mile or less from The USS Midway.
Visit the San Diego Padres website www.sandiego.padres.mlb.com home games are listed in blue on the schedule, also you can see some pictures of the new ball park on the Padres website.
:thumbsup:
:D
Another website for those looking forward to visiting San Diego
www.sandiego.org this is the website of the San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau, 401 B Street Suite 1400, San Diego, Ca.
92101 Phone 619-236-1212
:thumbsup:
If your not having fun, You're not doing it right
:)
I was at the Aircraft Restoration Hanger on 01-30 and worked in the canopy system of the SNJ Texan. This aircraft has never had the canopy system installed. As I stated this SNJ has never flown and was assembled completely with spare parts. This aircraft has no data plate and also has no serial number. Installing the canopy system on the aircraft will be a series of trial fittings and parts attachments to get it all placed in the right spot. The SNJ manuals are very vague when it comes to maintenance instructions about the canopy. If any one has close up pictures of the SNJ canopy system, they would be very helpful.
The F-4J #1 is still at NARF North Island being painted.
The F-4J #2 still awaits restoration.
The F-14A still at MCAS Miramar continues sanding and primering.
The SH-2D Seasprite Helicopter continues to have its paint buffed out and does have a bit of a shine to it.
The C-1A is at the Pima Air Museum near Tucson Arizona for safe keeping until the aircraft can be moved to San Diego.
Not much else to report from the Hanger.
:thumbsup:
If your not having FUN, You're not doing it right!
geraldataylor
02-01-04, 12:49 AM
Got my Ticket package yesterday. Really nice commemorative
ticket and a standard paper one. Booklet is nice too. Pretty good history through the decades.
Cant wait till she opens!
Gerald Taylor
VA-115 Air Intel
Thanks Rander and Gerald for your reports. I'm ordering my tickets this month.
Rander, do you know what markings are going on F-4J #1? I know the sponsors get to pick the markings, but really... they oughta pick CAG 5 or CAG 2 colors. I'd love to see this paint job on one... the VF-161 bicent bird.
dylumph
02-02-04, 09:52 AM
I launched that bird a few times! It did a hard landing and became a hanger bird. I've got a model of that one. I normally had 101 but I covered for "Cus 5" (the regular double nuts p/c.) a time or two.
Originally posted by dylumph
I launched that bird a few times! It did a hard landing and became a hanger bird. I've got a model of that one. I normally had 101 but I covered for "Cus 5" (the regular double nuts p/c.) a time or two.
All of CVW-5's bicent planes were pretty cool looking. I have a photo of VF-151's (http://www.cv41.org/gallery/terry_killham) and VMFP-3's (http://www.cv41.org/gallery/misc06/rf4_autumn_1975_sea_of_japan).
The Charger model was on ebay last week and I should have grabbed it, but there was a Midway 1955 Cruisebook I wanted instead. :)
:cry:
The F-4J #1 will be painted in a generic high vis gray over white paint job similar to if A-6 and E-2 currently on Midway. If your willing to come up with say, a $20,000 donation. Then YOU can designate what ever squadron marking you want. SDACM got a $20,000 donation for the A-7 and that individual chose VA-97 markings for the aircraft.
The SH-2D Seasprite helicopter will not be painted, was recieved at the Restoration Hanger with squadron markings on it. Those markings will remain on the aircraft because SDACM has no plans to paint it. If someone was to come forward and offer a donation large enough, then the Seasprite will be painted.
:thumbsup:
If Your not having FUN, You're not doing it right!!!!
:D
No one is being allowed on Midway at this time except for a very few SDACM officials and a contracter crew who are putting together a sprinkler system to aid in fire fighting efforts should that be needed. Also a fence must be built completely around the flight deck. Until this work is completed no one will be allowed on board. ANYONE planning to come to San Diego in the next 30 days or so, will only be able to view the ship from astern or from the port side at the little park there The same place where you will find a bronze bust of Admiral Clifton A.F. Sprague.
SDACM sent 2 people to THe Pima Air Museum to phorograph the C-1A during disassembly. Plans are to have the aircraft in San Diego with in the next 2 weeks.
watch for more news this weekend after my friday visit to the hanger.
:thumbsup:
If Your not having FUN, YOU'RE not doing it right
Billntwrk
02-05-04, 10:22 PM
Greetings Friends! Do you remember when we were on the 'Boat? No such thing as a secret. Same thing applies here. While working the pier as a volunteer I had an occassion to *wave thru* 3 folks from the Padres Marketing Department. It is here that the rumors run rampent. It seems that the Midway Museum and the Padres are trying to work out a Co-Marketing plan. Generally speaking (So I was told by workers departing the ship) Some sort of SDACM in the day-Padres at night package is being worked out. I can't/won't swear by it and I am sure the bosses wont comment on it, but you get the idea. I just know this. All our down town neighbors wanna be just that *Good Neighbors*, as do we!
Know this, friends. Our walk up traffic gets bigger when every sunny day passes. Your brothers and sisters, serving on the pier, cannot wait to welcome you to our new attraction. Gob Bless America, The United States Navy and the U.S.S. Midway. And finally, God Bless all that served on the great Lady!
Billntwrk sends
:)
Hi Midway Fans, not much news to report this week.
The SNJ continues to become more complete as all the canopy parts have now been installed. Some of the small panels are being corrosion controlled. We the SNJ crew are actuall talking about rolling it out side and installing the wings. The wings have never been bolted on the fuselage. Once the wings are bolted on the SNJ will be to large to roll back in to the hanger
The SH-2D seasprite helicopter looks better all the time. Soon it will be time to start bolting it back to gether. SDACM got this helicopter with HSL-33 markings. with no plans to repaint it the HSL-33 markings will stay on the aircraft.
F-4J #1 still at NARF North Island being painted
F-4J #2 still awaits restoration
F-14A is still a few weeks from being painted.
C-1A is being disassembled for trans port to San Diego, SDACM is photographing the disassembly. plans are to have this aircraft in San Diego in two weeks. The Photos will aid in re-assembly of the C-1A.
:thumbsup:
If your not having FUN, You're not doing it right!
:D
For those former USS Midway crewmembers planning to visit San Diego, should go to the Links page of www.midway.com go to the bottom of the page and look for San Diego Links. You will find lots of good information there.
:thumbsup:
If your not having FUN, You're not doing it right!
ttprince
02-13-04, 02:47 AM
The San Diego area links Rander referred to are on the midway.org web site at: http://www.midway.org/links/links.htm
These links include: San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, Palmer'sWalking Guide to San Diego, Aerospace Museum, San Diego Concierge, Convention and Visitors Bureau, Maritime Museum, San Diego Veterans, Visitor Information Center, Zoological Society (Zoo and Wild Animal Park), San Diego Waterfront, Seaport Village & SeaWorld Adventure Park.
Another helpful site with San Diego info links is Gene Morrow's Midway site, On the Ramp with his links page at: http://ontheramp.tripod.com/sandiego.htm. They are organized in to three categories: Hotels, Car Rental & Air Travel.
:D
The SDACM C-1A arrives At the Aircraft Restoration Hanger on Saturday 2-14-04 and will be off loaded from the truck starting at 6am PST. I will be there to take pictures.
More to follow about news from the hanger.
:thumbsup:
If your not having FUN; YOU"RE not doing it right.
:)
The C-1A has arrived and was unloaded off the truck by about 15 hanger volunteers and I have some great pictures that I'll send to Buzz to post in the gallery. The aircraft looks great concidering it hasen't flown since 1985! the aircraft will be given a thorough outside cleaning and then will have the vertical stabilizer put back on and then will begin the restoration process
F-4J #1 is still in paint at NARF North Island. There may be a sponsor or two about to step forward for this aircraft. I'll keep you informed when I find out what squadron colors will go on this aircraft.
F-4J #2 still awaits restoration
F-14A Tomcat at MCAS Miramar is still about 4 weeks from being painted.
SH-2D Seasprite paint is being buffed out. It will be a while before this aircraft is completed.
SNJ Texan is about 2-3 weeks from having the wings installed and then off to be painted Bright Yellow.
:thumbsup:
If YOUR not having fun, YOU'RE not doing it right!!!
:)
Mo, et al: Your faithful crew was onboard at the hangar to watch the sun come
up over our little Valentine Day gift. She was unloaded & parked without
incident next to the admin. office. The driver was on his way by 0900 as all
were very meticulous in assuring a safe & damage free hoisting of the bird while
the truck was ultimately driven away from under it! I escorted the truck &
trailer out thru the main gate without incident and left him on his way heading
East.
This could not have been accomplished without your expertise in coordinating
all elements of the move and without our able, dependable & creative crew of
hangar volunteers including: Bill Brown, Bill Hays (fork lift driver), John
Rodrigues, Nick Thompson, Bob Solomon, Larry Everett, Bob Anderson (new
recruit),
John Scott, Frank Warren (crew chief), and Stricken Yard Supervisor (fork
lift driver #2) & constant supporter, John Arthur. All I did was show up with
donuts, make coffee & stand around & worry a lot!
I'm glad to see, by your responses to Mo's message, that you have come to
value these volunteers as much as I have for the last three years.
Regards to you all & your Valentines,
Jim Redfield
:thumbsup:
If YOUR not having fun; YOU'RE not doing it right!!!
:D
SNJ Texan; the wings for this aircraft have been removed from their storage stands and have been laid flat on benches. Preparation for installation of the wings on to the fuselage has begun. The SNJ must be rolled outside to install the wings.
C-1A: Initial exterior cleaning of the aircraft has begun. A more thouough cleaning will have to be done, and the white cocooning material over the wing boots, engine nacelles, and windows will be removed. The tail fin and rudder assembly will be installed and then the aircraft will be brought in the hanger.
The is a TA-4J at Davis-Monthan AFB, that has been assigned to SDACM. No word yet when this aircraft will be brought to San Diego.
SDACM may also be getting a A-4E Skyhawk from the San Diego Aerospace Museum. Final details of the move have not been worked out yet. This aircraft is said to be full restored and ready to display. If I get the chance I'll go to the Aerospace Museum's hanger at Gillespie Field and get a picture of it.
All the other aircraft are as they were last week.
:thumbsup:
If YOUR not having fun; YOU'RE not doing it right!!!!
:) Hi Midway Fans
I spent about 3 hours on the ship today. The first 2 hours were spent helping SDACM volunteer Bob Soloman Paint parts of the C-150 space on the hanger deck level all the aft on the port side. Later I spent about an hour exploring. I found the Aft Mess stbd serving line. All areas of the after mess decks have blue and white tile on the deck. After returning to the Hanger deck I went forward and found a ladder up to the O-1 and O-2and found a weapons dept space on the O-1 level and a short passage to conflag 2 (I Think) going up to the O-2 level I found a spacewith a sign on the door VA-115 Administration. Out board of that was a Battle Dressing Station and further outboard was the Fresnel Lens Platform. Some of the spaces that you remember from cruises prior to the last one have moved. I was looking for Va-115's line shack and I havent found it. Also in that same area, i found a couple of IM3 division spaces and staterooms for CO VA-115; CO VA-93, and for the Weapons Department Officer. There are also spaces for the plat maintenanceand Fresnel Lens Maintenance. I'll look around again on the 4th of March.
The aircraft.
The F-4J #1 has sponsors now and the Phantom will have two squadrons colors painted on. One squadron from the Constallation and one from the Coral Sea.
The Tomcat at MCAS Miramar is nearly ready for paint. With rain in the San Diego area today(03-02-04) there was no work done on the Tomcat. I did stop and photograph the Tomcat and you will see two pics of it on Buzz's website real soon.
The SNJ is just about ready to have the wings attached. The SNJ is the next aircraft that will go to NARF North Island to be painted.
The SH-2D Seasprite is nearly ready to be put mack to gether. The museum is working with The Kaman Corporation to locate windows for the helicopter. The interior of this aircraft will not be open for viewing.
:thumbsup:
If YOUR not having fun; YOU'RE not doing it right.
Billntwrk
03-11-04, 08:25 PM
Greetings Fellow Midway fans...I, your humble volunteer, have snapped a few more digital pictures and will be sending them to Buzz very soon. Keep Checking back for photos of the following.
VA-115 Line shack (At decom), Navbridge, Captains At-Sea Cabin, Aft Mess Decks, Post Office, Aft Mess Decks, Entrance to Medical, Hangerbay Conflag station#2, Flag Bridge, Flag Plot, Ships Anchor on the Flt DCK. Helo spots 2 and three, Early stages of Flight Deck Restoration, All three ACFT repositioned aft of L-3, L-2 EO station. Also, A static Display Ejection Seat. (MArtin Baker, I think), A recently discovered set of Ships awards/Ribbons. Also, a personal fav, the entrance to the photolab!
A mini-TV dish mounted for the Resident Over Night Security Person.
Pics of people wil include Pete Clayton (ChENG-Restoration), with a former Eagle. The former Eagle (I need to find my notes with his name) will be seen presenting a Genuine Jolly Rodger (80'3) that flew over the ship when we rid ourselve's of WOG Vermin. Others photographed this time around include a volunteer painting an AFFF station aft of the Post office, Contractors painting Unrep receive stations on the starboard sponson and contractors working on installing the sprinkler system.
As you can tell, I have a lot of Pics to upload with the caption sheet. Give Ol' Buzz a break if they don't show up right away.
This represents a huge amout of bandwidth to transmit and Buzz has to take it, piece meal. Then he has to upload the photos to this site, clip paste the caption info, you get the Idea.
It appears I will be on the Security patrol, when the ship opens. I will have access to alot of areas not generally open to the public but I will not have unrestricted access. Eamil me if you want me to try and photo a specific site/space, etc. No Promises (A school trick coming here...KNOCK*KNOCK*KNOCK) No Promises. I will not put my access and volunteer status on the line by roaming into areas that are off limits. Pete is a good guy, fair and easy going. Having said that, the current crop of volunteers view his rules as carved in stone and not subject to interpretation. If you have a space, I will ask Pete first, If his reply is *Thumbs Up* I will grab a shot, if it is *thumbs down* Of well, So be it. But, as I said, I will do my best.
Grand Opening is still scheduled first week of June. No firm dates yet. Your best chance to get a guaranteed date is to join the Circle of Friends. This can be done for as little as 100.00 dollars, paid in installments. I will send Buzz the forms so you can D/L from this site.
Bill Purcell
SDACM
Alert tag removed - Eagle3
Big thanks to Billntwrk amd also to Rander. They both sent me photos today that I'm processing. They should be up tonight or tomorrow. I'll post the links here as well as the "What's New" (http://cv41.org/new.html) page.
Bill - I removed the Alert tag and switched it to Attn: The Alert tag is for admin and mod announcements. E3
Billntwrk
03-12-04, 07:31 PM
Buzz,
Not a problem.
BP
Billntwrk (http://www.cv41.org/gallery/bp_mar04) and Rander's (http://www.cv41.org/gallery/robert_anderson_cv41) new photos are online.
Enjoy :)
KrzDefKat
03-12-04, 11:31 PM
Great pictures, guys! Thank you for sharing! :)
Hoping to get down to San Diego this year.
:)
Hi Midway Fans:
The F-4J #1 is back at the restoration hanger yard and the plane looks great I shot about 10 pictures that I'll send Buzz the pics in a few days. The plane has VF-142 on the port side abd VF-51 on the starboard side.
The F-14 Tomcat at MCAS Miramar is progressing as there was more corrosion on this aircraft than anticipated. This aircraft last flew on 1984, and has been heavily neglected since. A crew of very dedicated volunteers is diligently working this aircraft.
The SNJ Texan main fuselageis being sanded and primered in readyness to be painted. Thisaircraft is the next to be painted.
The SH-2D Seasprite is looking better all the time. The landing gear wells have been painted and all the things laying around inside the crew compartment have been cleaned up. The museum still needs windows for this aircraft. Front windscreens and left and right door windows.
The Museum recieved a gift of two A-6 Intruder ejection seats and a canopy assembly from an aircraft that is scheduled to be scraped.
F-4J #2 is in the restoration hanger yard awaiting restoration. An effort my John C. Ensch to seek donations is under way. Log on to www.MidwayPhantom.com and make a donation. They are seeking $40,000 for this effort. This aircraft will be painted on VF-21 colors on one side. VF-21 flying of USS Midway scored the first air combat kills of the Vietnam War. VF-161 also flying of the USS Midway scored the last air combat kill of the Vietnam War. VF-161 colors will be of the other side.
The S-3 aircraft that is in the Restoration Hanger yard is no longer the property of the SDACM and is scheduled for re-disposition by the National Museum of Naval Aviation. The SDACM is working with NMNA to get another S-3. aircraft.
The C-1A is starting to under go restoration as I can see zinc cromate showing on the sides of the aircraft. All the white cocooning material has been removed. The tail fin and rudder assembly, is being held upright by an overhead chainfall hoist, is undergoing restoration.
Soon I will be sending Buzz some updated pics of the aircraft at the Restoration Hanger and from the ship.
If any former Midway crewmen who worked in the ships #3 engine room, there was a small mural of what restoration volunteers think was a naked woman. This mural has been overpaintedwith white paint. If anyone has a picture of this mural
please E-mail it to rander8828@hotmail.com. The volunteers working in the ships #3 engine room would like to recreate this mural. the two volunteers working the engine room are John Rodrigues and Steve Johnson
Another volunteer Art Aydelotte of the curator department is seeking donations of library books as the Midway Library has been emptied. The ships library has lots of empty shelves and NO BOOKS. Anyone with books to donate should first contact the SDACM. Mailing address and phone numbers, are on the website
www.midway.org
An advance Thank You to anyone who can help above two requests for help.
:thumbsup:
If your not having fun; Your're not doing it right.
Thanks for the excellent update Rander. I'll be contacting Mr. Ensch about swapping links.
Originally posted by Rander
:)
....
If any former Midway crewmen who worked in the ships #3 engine room, there was a small mural of what restoration volunteers think was a naked woman. This mural has been overpaintedwith white paint. If anyone has a picture of this mural
please E-mail it to rander8828@hotmail.com. The volunteers working in the ships #3 engine room would like to recreate this mural. the two volunteers working the engine room are John Rodrigues and Steve Johnson
Rander, Gene Morrow painted that! I'm e-mailing you both about it.
E3
Billntwrk
03-15-04, 08:11 PM
Grettings, Fellow Midway Fans!
Couple of notes. (More than a couple, actually)
First of all. Eagle Ready Room Is tapped for restoration. Don't know if this involves fundraising but I am sure Buzz will be all over it. He will be in touch with Pete Clayton, CHENG. You should be reading updated info, soon.
Natural segue to my next topic. If you need to contact anyone associated with the S.D.A.C.M., Send your needs/coments to me. I will be enclosing my email adress at the end of this Note. This list includes Pete C., Adm. MAC, Adm Mixon, Theresa or anyone else. I will screen your notes and pass them along. Buzz is doing the same thing and has same access. He just gets bogged down with this site and needs help. That is what I am offering.(Side note. Pete, Theresa and Mac visit this site often, as do many board members. Feel free to post *in the Blind* they might read and respond.) That brings me to my next topic...
Most members of our Board Members visit this site along with midwaysailor.com . We, the pier volunteers recommend this site along with www.midway.org and www.midwaysailor.com . Seperate note for Troy. Please feel free to use any pictures that I submit to this site, for your own website. I hold the Copywrite and I give you free use. Buzz and I have discussed this and we are in agreement. Anything that helps Midway, helps my cause! Just please credit me. (Bill Purcell, SDACM Volunteer-Ship's Company 1981-1984)
Friends. Know this. The Volunteers are working very hard to creat a world calss exibit. We want you to come visit us. Remember My name and ask for me. I can always ask Pete for permission to "Help you find a space, off the beaten path..."
Finally. If you have a moment, Post a note of *Get well* to Kasea Nau, A.K.A. Eagle03v01. Young MIss Kase had an Ear *owwie* last week. Eagle03.5 needed Eagle 03 to cover. Hey! I sent the rug rat a card! The least you can do is type in a few words of encouragement! Chuckle. I suggest the following.
"Dear Kasea, Hope you get Better. Remember, you are better off flying off a ship, then serving on Deck 01 and below!"
Bill Purcell
Billntwrk@yahoo.com (Use this addy. If you are legit, I will provide my real addy! And No, this is not the one that Buzz has! Chuckle)
RigTheBarricade
03-19-04, 09:49 AM
Hey everyone,
Bad news, I am not the one that painted the mural. :(
Buzz & I got our wires crossed on this one. There is a mural on a door on the 0-2 level very near the # 3 Arresting Gear Engine Room that I painted, but not the one in the ships # 3 Engine Room.
I have sent out a few queries to some old snipes I knew aboard and if I hear anything I'll let you all know.
Oh man...... Guess I just keyed in on the #3 amd room. Sorry guys!
:)
To Buzz, Troy, and Gene Thank you for your efforts to help locate the mural SDACM Volunteers John Rodrigues and Steve Johnson are seeking. Being able to use your websites for these requests is incredably generous.
For anyone reading this posting, another request is for BOOKS to restock the Midways Library. When the Midway was decommmissioned the ships library was emptied. Not one single book remained, according the SDACM volunteer, Art Aydelotte. There are Lots of Shelves but no books! Whats a library with out Books. Send e-mail to billntwrk@yahoo.com if you have some thing you think the Museum could use. Reference the Curator in the E-mail.
:thumbsup:
If YOUR not having fun, YOU'RE not doing it right!!!!
:)
Hi Midway Fans
Many of you have seen the pictures of the Tomcat and Phantom moves, Many Thanks to all Involved. Thanks to AirPac for allowing the Museum to use the F-14 Sling from the USS Stennis CVN-74. The Museum will need it again after the Tomcat comes out of the paint booth, and is mooved to the Midway. Thanks to John Arthur who picked up and delivered the F-4 sling from Pt. Mugo.
Personnel
Bob Hartman is attending Docent training and will complete the training later in April. New Docent classes will begin towards the end of April contact SDACM if interested. Chuch Baumback, John Scott and Dennis Rydstron are concidering Docent training as well.
Welcome aboard to Lou Gutzman a retired electrician, who is going to tackle the hardware mess. The Hanger has a lot of common hardware and you cant find anything when you need it.
Thanks Lou for tackling this project.
Frank Warren is now the Hanger production Crew leader for weekday operations. Ed Martin, who was leading the pack on tuesdays has asked to be relieved and will be a regular part of the volunteer force. Thanks Ed forall your extra effort
The Aircraft:
F-14 is at NAS North Island paint booth and will get a generic Graay Gloss paint with white wheel wells plus all the regular black white and red markings that aircraft out of the factory have.
"Tom Cat" should be painted in a week or so.
SNJ Texan Getting veryclose to following the "Tom Cat" to the paint booth. the SNJ must be moved outside to have the wings attached. The SNJ has two types of surfaces Aluminum and Fabric
which dont use the same kind of paint. Experts are at work on the problem.
SH-2 Seasprite Helicopter The helicopter is starting to shine. Still needs glass. all the plastic windows have deteriorated and need to be replaced. this will be costly as all the side windows are molded as only the front windscreens are flat.
C-1A The Weekend crew has started to clean up the inside and the seats. The weekday crew is working the outside of the aircraft. including the tail fin that is suspended from a crane inside the hanger
UH-1B Huey This HAL-3 Navy "Seawolf" gunship Is undergoing restoration at the San Diego Aerospace Museum at Gillespie Field at El Cajon Ca. and will be shiped to Midway Direct, Jim Redfield is involved with this aircraft and says it will be a fine exibit. The Huey will have rockets , a gattling gun new paint and upholstery.
A-4 Skyhawk This aircraft is also at Gillespie Field and transportation of this aircraft direct to Midway is being arranged.
The Skyhawk is in good condition but does need tires
GSE The weekend crew is working the support equipment for use at the hanger and on board Midway
Shipboard space C-150 is the aircraft maintenance control on Midwayand generally just needs the deck to be painted and some furnature. Two Hanger volunteers; John Ridrigues and Steve Johnson are restoring Midways #3 engine room as the engineering spaces will be a tour destination.
The second F-4and the F-9F photo bird will be in the restoration process very soon
:thumbsup:
If YOUR not having Fun; YOU'RE not doing it right!!!!
:D
Hi Midway fans!
The F-14 tomcat has completed its paint cycle and look like a brand new aircraft out of the Factory. The entire fuselage is painted in a Hi-Visability gray except the landing gear and the gear is white. This aircraft is unsponsored for now and will be, as far as I can tell, will go aboard Ol' Midway unsponsored.
The SNJ Texan is now outside with the wings installed and most of the exterior is primered. The SNJ will be next to go to the paint booth.
A-4C 148517 was aquired from the San Diego Aerospace Museum
to be displayed on Midway It is at Navy Pier waiting to go aboard
This A-4C is painted in the colors of VA-192.
Iwill send Buzz Nau pics as soon soon as i get them back from the processor.
Two F-4 wing mounted exernal tanks are also ready for paint and will hung under the wings of one of the F-4's
:thumbsup:
If your not having fun; you're not doing it right
Billntwrk
04-26-04, 02:10 AM
Greetings Midway Fans!
After Reading Rander's Post about the A-4, I rushed back from my *Out of Town* Commitment. I grabbed a few snaps and sent them to Buzz. They should appear in real soon.
I alos grabed a Pic of ChENG, actually working! Chuckle. He was driving a fork lift, off loading stuff after three nights of *Functions* held aboard the ship.
Bill
Billntwrk
04-29-04, 01:05 PM
Greetings Shipmates, Shipwrecks and Feather Merchants, the world over,
I bring you news from the restoration front.
I have just sent Buzz about 50-60 new pic’s for the photo gallery. These include Plat Lens, Comm, AIMD spaces, Eagle Country, V-1, V-2 berthing, Disbursing (3rd deck) and many others from the Gallery Deck. Have a look because chances are; this is all you will see of the Gallery Deck (O2 level). I will explain more about that later.
Flight Deck- the Flight Deck fencing is about 95% complete with only the gates left to be installed. The gates will help control access to the catwalks. Most of the catwalks will be Closed to the general public.
About 22,000 square feet of the Flight Deck has been painted. This includes most of the Bow (Fly-1) all the way aft to the first expansion joint. Separate, side note. This Saturday, May 1st painting will resume on the Flight Deck. If you live in San Diego and want to volunteer, just show up between 0830 and 0900. The Pier Greeters will gladly help you get parked and give you directions for boarding the ship. Paint brushes supplied. Just bring your own coveralls or grubby work clothes. I, myself, expect to be there. I will be painting and taking Pics. C.J. Heard is leading this effort. C.J. is a past Flight Deck/Air Bos’n. Supplies and expertise are also being provided by Capt. Chuck Smiley (USN RET). Capt. Smiley is on our executive board. He and son Dave will be out and assisting in the All hands effort.
The V-1 Division Flight Deck Crew Shelter is being used as a storage locker and there are no plans to restore this space. This could change.
Pri-Fly is about 85% complete. Just needs some touch up. The Ouiji boards are in place and the FLT DCK Officers chair is in the space.
The Bunny Slope has been used by the public for the first time. More on that later.
Safety/Security team members, under the direction of Pete Clayton, have started locking down the ship. We are locking off access to areas of the ship, closed to the public. This will include most of the Gallery Deck. As I move around, on the lock down detail, I will be taking pic’s. Closed portions of the gallery deck will include nearly all of the O2 berthing areas, most of the O2 level AIMD spaces and similar. At some point down the road, CVIC will be restored and opened to the public. I don’t have exact details, just general information.
The exhibits and curatorial office have moved aboard. Exhibits received a brand new graphics reproduction machine yesterday. Curatorial is busy cataloging and classifying hundreds of artifacts. This is in anticipation of putting out the artifacts for public display.
Last weekend, the Docents and the Safety/Security volunteers assisted the museum when three private parties were held aboard the ship. The general path was up to the Flight Deck then back to the Hangar Bay via the Bunny Slope stair well. We need these “Pre-opening” events to help us increase the learning curve. The Docents and Safety team assisted by answering general questions, pointing the trip hazards, etc.
Lynda Newton (Volunteer Coordinator) and other members of the museum staff are busy developing a “Daily Volunteer” staffing list. So, if you want to volunteer, now is the time to get your app. in.
As always, keep coming here or go to www.midway.org for the latest. Buzz seems to have good access to information and I always give what I can, when I can.
Bill Persell
Billntwrk@yahoo.com
:)
Hi Midway Fans:
This weekend April 30- May 2nd The San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum Had a booth at the Wings Over Gillespie Air Show at Gillespie Field Airport in El Cajon Ca. I was there In some of the best southern california weather so far this year. There were lots of vintage aircraft there a B-17 Flying Fortress, B-24 Liberator, B-25 Mitchell Bomber, A-26 bomber built by the Douglas Aircraft Company, stearmans, SNJ's, a Russian AN2, a Skyraider, a Grumman F-8F-2 Bearcat, Army O-1's, a H-21 "Flying Banana" Shawnee helicopter (the last one that still flys), p-51 Mustangs, and a varity of other piston powered aircraft. There also was a Mig-15 that flew. The SDACM booth was very busy maned by a group of dedicated volunteers and I was there on Saturday, when I'd say many very interested visitors came by and many of them former sailors and marines that knew the Midway was in San Diego. And a small few were former Midway sailors. Some of whom want to reconnect with Midway.
Durning opening ceremonies, Adm "mac" C.O.O. of SDACM spoke for about 10 minutes to get the earily crowd into the airshow. The Stage area had a variety of musical groups and performers doing skits on a WW II theme and the 50's. The aircraft flew one or two at a time and due to local noise regulations not much in the line of aerobatics was done. It was nice to see that some WW-II and 50's aircraft can still get into the air and wow the crowd even if all they do is fly by air show center.
:thumbsup:
If YOUR not having fun; YOU're not doing it right!!!!
vBulletin® v3.7.0, Copyright ©2000-2009, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.