The Midway

[glenncal1]

As most of you probably know they have made the Midway a Musuem in San Diego. Well worth the visit if you are in the area.

 

[Hap-E-Cruzer]

Thanks, awesome pictures. Reminds me of visiting my son when he was on the USS Lexington just before it was decommissioned.
These big ships are neat to tour, although the Lex was a very small carrier compared to this one but had a lot of history....

 

[psalzer]

I had the privilege of spending a day on the Lex. While it was based in Pensacola ... they flew us out about 100 miles on a COD flight, and pretty much gave us the run of the ship! Spent some time on the bridge with the Capt. One of the more memorable things I have done.

 

[williamabernathy]

Ah, 5 acres of United States sovereignty and power projection. Though I'm a ground pounding Army type, there's just something special about an aircraft carrier. When the USS Harry S Truman returned last Christmas to Norfolk from a combat tour, seeing her pop her battle ensign (20' on the hoist, 38' on the fly) was really moving.

 

[meide]

My first 10 carrier landings were on the Lexington (4 in a T-2 and 6 in a TA-4). I never spent more than a few minutes on deck, just enough time to taxi to the catapult. As I was taxiing to the catapult the first time I suddenly realized that we had spent months doing practice landings but have never really spent much time "practicing" the cat shot. As soon as the catapult fired I understood why. Once the plane was properly positioned on the cat and I had saluted the catapult officer there was absolutely nothing I could have done to change the outcome - the plane was going to be flying in a few seconds. I happened so fast that I thought I might have imagined the whole procedure.

Mike

 

[camman73]

Heading there in June for a work function. I think we'll be having dinner on-board after touring the museum. Can't wait!

 

[David M]

She used to berth on the next pier when I was stationed in USS Blue Ridge (LCC19) in Yokosuka, Japan. Quite a ship with quite a history...

 

[FlyWright]

quote:

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Originally posted by meide

... As I was taxiing to the catapult the first time I suddenly realized that we had spent months doing practice landings but have never really spent much time "practicing" the cat shot. As soon as the catapult fired I understood why. Once the plane was properly positioned on the cat and I had saluted the catapult officer there was absolutely nothing I could have done to change the outcome - the plane was going to be flying in a few seconds. I happened so fast that I thought I might have imagined the whole procedure.

Mike

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I never considered that perspective! Must have been quite an experience the first few times. But to me, landing on that postage stamp is the ultimate macho skill and accomplishment. Kudos to you!

 

[Gregory S]

Spent my first two weeks at sea on Lady Lex helping the medical department with their trauma skills in 1989. Amazing tosee jets catapault from and land on a deck that was never designed for jet aircraft.

 

[glenncal1]

The Midway flight deck was modified several times including adding the angled deck and changing from wood to steel.

 

[David M]

quote:

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Originally posted by glenncal1

The Midway flight deck was modified several times including adding the angled deck and changing from wood to steel.

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Then being hauled to add full length angled keels to counter the effect of the wind across the added angled deck. OOOPS!

Full counter rudder and it still crabbed across the Pacific. It was funny as hell unless of course you were sailing in her. Then it was just embarassing.