CV-41 USS Midway Museum, San Diego Bay, California.

[micahrogers]

Here she sits, decommissioned in 1992, CV-41 The USS Midway, first ship of her class, commissioned in late September 1945, just weeks after the surrender of the Japanese Empire. The first Aircraft Carrier made with armored decks. You park and walk up toward he starboard side of her.

Looking toward the bow.



The banner above the entrance walkway.

The ships bell, polished every day by volunteers.

You enter the museum from the starboard side forward aircraft elevator, and are greeted by a SBD Dauntless, dive bomber, The hero of the battle of Midway, for which this ship was named.


More pics to follow as I get them resized.

 

[Awry_Chaos]

Nice!

 

[zathros]

The British had Armmored decks on their aircraft carriers. That was one of the biggest mistakes the U.S did, and those sailors paid the ultimate price. Personally, I think these ships, as many as feasable should be made into museum ships. The U.S.S. North carolina, and the U.S.S. Massachusetts have machine shops on them that are massive and could actually be used for schools. Much of these ships could be made into educational hotels, and some are, but mostly for Boy Scout organizations. If they had a set up where families could spend 3 days aboard such a ship, I think that there would be much interest generated these ships. They are a heritage that our country should treasure. IMHO.

 

[ennder]

Beautiful pictures, Micah.

I agree with Z, and I think that some of these ships could be used as Trade schools. there are machine shops, engine rooms to learn engine mechanics, Miles and miles of pipe to learn plumbing. Miles of wiring for electricians. I know there are lots of other trades that I have not touched on that could be taught aboard ship.

 

[Revell-Fan]

Awesome!

 

[micahrogers]

More pics resized...
The SBD (Slow But Deadly) Dauntless from the front 3/4

Early WWII USN Pilots suit.

TBD Devastator Torpedo Bomber,

This one is full size for a reason. Anything stick out as wrong here?





This is a FOAM replica TBD made for the 2019 movie, "Midway"

There are only six surviving TBD's above the waves. The producers of "Midway" asked the USS Midway museum if they wanted the full scale foam replica they made.
Of course the museum curator said yes.

The F4F-4 Wildcat.

The F4U-4 Corsair.

This one is a late war example in USN overall Dark Sea Blue...

And that massive, 13 foot diameter Hamilton Standard Air Screw propeller.


The first and latest together...
The USS Langley, and the Gerald R Ford side by side...
A model built by volunteers for the USS Midway Museum.

The box the 3.5" HVAR Rockets came in as loaded on USS Midway

Tail section of the EA6B Prowler Electronic Warfare aircraft.

And finally for tonight,
The PriFly and main Bridge as seen from the flight deck.

Lots more to come as I get them moved and resized.

 

[Rhaven Blaack]

Those are AMAZING photos!!!
Thank you for sharing these and your experiences with all of us!!!

 

[mijob]

Verry intresting and historical. Thanks for sharing.

 

[micahrogers]

Image heavy,
EA-6B Prowler from the front
and helos on the flight deck... looking toward the bow. And looking astern. The Island as seen from the flight deck. the statue in the park across from Midway, modeled after the famous phot in the NYT on VJ Day.

an E-2C Hawkeye. The nose. An A6 Intruder sits ready on the portside forward cat. Just a sample of the load out of 30 750 lb Retarded freefall bombs.
DDG-53, USS John Paul Jones. and the long shot, you can see Abraham Lincoln, and Carl Vinson on the opposit side of the bay, JPJ is a small boat in this shot. and another shot of the JPJ. An F-4 Phantom
An A-1D Skyraider, with the full loadout of 500 lb bombs.
An A-4 Skyhawk humpback, same type as was flown by Sen Jon McCain. An F9F Panther.
And an F3J Fury, looks familiar huh? Naval version of the F-86 Saber Jet.

Just a few pics and some movies left...

 

[firestarter83]

Awesome shots!

 

[ennder]

I've always wondered..... 500 lb bomb. is that what they weigh or is that the explosive force it produces.

 

[Cybergrinder]

I've always wondered..... 500 lb bomb. is that what they weigh or is that the explosive force it produces.

It refers to the weight of the bomb, they generated a much bigger bang than 500lb (250kg)

 

[micahrogers]

I've always wondered..... 500 lb bomb. is that what they weigh or is that the explosive force it produces.

As Cybergrinder already stated, the number refers to the loaded weight of the bomb, a 500 lb bomb weighs 500 lbs ready to be loaded on the aircraft. but a 500 lb retarded bomb actually weighs 575 lbs because of the added retarder unit. so it does get a little wonky.

 

[mijob]

That's a lot of fire power!!!

 

[ennder]

thank you

 

[zathros]

So many planes, what a gift that they are preserved!! Excellent pics!!

 

[micahrogers]

So many planes, what a gift that they are preserved!! Excellent pics!!

I forgot to get a pic of the TBM Avenger they have, Painted in GHW Bush's WWII colors and numbers. A nice tribute to our last WWII veteran President.