November 11, 201411 yr The "Connie" heading for the scrap yard- A link to the story- http://gizmodo.com/nasa-captured-the-lonely-last-journey-of-an-aircraft-ca-1656866844 This is the carrier our squadron was first assigned to, when we went to Vietnam. After I was discharged, my squadron was transferred to the USS Forestall and the guys were involved with the big fire.
November 11, 201411 yr I always hate to see this, I know reality says we need to do this for logistical reasons etc, but man it sure would be nice if the feds could pony up some bucks and make more of these ships museums. My family and I toured the USS Iowa last spring and we loved it, it was a big window into the lives and the folks who served on the ship. I could not believe how tight the sleeping quarters were!
November 11, 201411 yr Author It is really heart breaking, John, to see her deck all bare like that. I have a poster in my "office", with a similar view, showing her with a full complement of birds crowding her deck. I know what you mean about the sleep quarters. Navy ships were never outfitted with luxury berthing suites. When we went to Vietnam, on the "Connie", we were told she carried 5000 sailors but they told she was designed for 3000. It was a tight squeeze.
November 11, 201411 yr Lew, I could not believe the view down the center of the Iowa from below decks, you almost see the entire length of the ship through main hallway (for lack of a better term from this non navy guy) I could only imagine when the sailors were called to stations, the activity that went on below decks and all the sailors running through those hallways through those oval door ways with tripping hazards abounding. Unbelievable, sailors truly are a special lot, dealing with those living conditions for months on end. At least in the Army we could ride our bikes around base!
November 11, 201411 yr Author The Hanger Deck is sort of like that. It extends almost the entire length and width of the carrier. You can't believe how many planes they pack in there for maintenance. The Connie was about 1090 feet long and almost 300 feet wide (flight deck). After our quals in Hawaii, they had a softball game on the Flight Deck- never lost a ball!
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