I've been on holiday. The first proper holiday that I've had in a long time. On the last full day I escaped from the tour group abandoning SWMBO and went here:-
I've got a lot photos to sort through and edit down to a web friendly resolution over the weekend but here's a taster. I expect somebody will identify this ship/museum pretty quickly.
USS Intrepid CV-11 Essex Class carrier. Launched 1943, present at the battle of Leyte Gulf and Okinawa. Hit five times by kamikaze. Extensively refitted 1950-52 with a steam catapult and reinforced angled flight deck. Served in Vietnam. Now the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space museum on the Hudson river New York.
Enterprise was the first prototype space shuttle. She did fly in the sense that she was launched from a 747 for the first gliding/landing test flights. Originally she was intended to be fitted for space flight but after various design changes it wasn't economic to do.
USS Growler one of only two of her class is an interim nuclear deterrent submarine. She was a diesel electric boat and on the bow is the hanger for Regulus nuclear cruise missiles. To launch the missiles the sub had to surface and the missile was assembled on it's launcher as shown to be launched. This took about twelve minutes.
Not surprisingly this type of sub was replaced as soon as possible by nuclear powered subs with missiles that could be launched submerged.
Thanks Kevin, that was my half day to myself. I can post the photos of my wife in front of the Stautue of Liberty, on top of the Empire State Building etc. etc. If you like.
Actually the rest of the holiday was very enjoyable as well, we had a great time.
Great pictures, Jon, thanks for posting. USS Intrepid is high on my list of Colonial places of interest to visit. By any chance, did you note whether the boiler and engine rooms are open to visitors ?
On the last full day I escaped from the tour group abandoning SWMBO and went here:-
