Backcountry Pilot

[YELLOWMAULE offline]

To all of those that have, to those that do and to those that will protect our freedoms, my family thanks you with the utmost reverence.

[Zzz]

With the date once again coming up, I thought I'd mention my recent visit to Pearl Harbor.

It is really cool. I'm a sucker for any place that embraces military and aviation history, and was glad my girlfriend and her parents were excited to see the memorial too. We took the little harbor ferry out to the USS Arizona memorial, but due to flat light it was difficult to see much of the submerged destroyer. Diesel still pukes from the thing at a rate of 1-2 quarts daily, and the surface of the water is all rainbows. Take your polarized glasses.

After the Arizona, we rode the shuttle bus onto the base to visit the Pacific Aviation Museum, which is pretty much a display of aircraft used in the Pacific theatre. They had a restored Grumman F4F Wildcat, a P-38, replica SBD Dauntless and B-25, and a Zero. They also had a genuine Aeronca 65TC hanging from the ceiling, which was the only civilian aircraft in the air at the time of the attack. I think he was shot at and hit, but made a successful emergency landing.

They had some static displays of a P&W radial engine and an Allison inline 12.

It was fun to talk to some of the old guys who act as docents at the museum, because most of them were active military pilots during WWII.

Although we chose not to, a visitor can also tour the battleship USS Missouri and the submarine USS Bowfin, both on display in Pearl Harbor.

It was a life sized reminder of a very different time, especially while they played 40's era music on the bus.

[Dusty offline]

I am extremely jealous. I want to get out there to see all those things myself, it looks like it will be a while till that happens. Thanks for the report.

[qmdv offline]

Hey Zane. The Arizona is a battleship not a destroyer.

I have a good story about the harbor cruise that goes arround Ford Island. We took it when I was in Pearl in 1968. Will have to tell it in person lest I insult some of Japanese decent. Maybe at JC.

Tim

[Zzz]

I stand corrected...what's the difference between a battleship and a destroyer, anyway?

Looking forward to your story.

[Bonanza Man offline]

I stand corrected...what's the difference between a battleship and a destroyer, anyway?

Looking forward to your story.

Short of a carrier the battleship is the largest ship in the fleet, Iowa class is 887 feet long. The destroyer is pretty much the smallest offensive weapon in the fleet, approx 310 feet long. They were nicknamed tin cans and were about as thin.

[Juan80 offline]

I had a chance to see the Missouri a few years ago, and I think it was one of the best things I did on that trip. The guy that gave the tour was a 17 or 18 yr old dock worker when they attacked, so his account was very cool. Like 2hrs instead of one.
The whole tour was nice, but when I fiished it, I was VERY pissed at our Asian buds for picking on the U.S, when it looked like all our guys cared about was their tans.
If you have a chance, go see it.

[Kenny Chapman offline]

"At Dawn We Slept" By Gordon W. Prange. Undoubtedly the finest account of the Pearl Harbor attack. Good reading.

[Okie Bush Man offline]

I used to go out there 2-3 times a year for business and always liked the symmetry of the Missouri moored next to the Arizona as the Alpha and the Omega of WW2 in the Pacific.

[WWhunter offline]

1SeventyZ,

I wished you had PM'd me when you were there. During the winter months I live in Aiea, HI and I can look from my steps and see the memorial and Missouri. My wife works on Ford Island in the build nearest the USS Arizona memorial. Basically right out her window. I enjoy showing people around and its a good way to meet fellow fliers.

Anyone else coming over to HI for a visit shot me an email and I'll see what I can do. I am a little hindered right now (broke my leg) but maybe can work around it. I will be in Hawaii til March 15th of 2008 and then we are transfering to Alaska!!! YeeeeeeHaaaaa!!

Keith

[Zzz]

Good thread was being soured by the huffers! Split off to here...

[WWhunter offline]

Yep, looks like you need to start a pissing and moaning thread...oh excuse me...a political thread.

[dav3469 offline]

Yep, looks like you need to start a pissing and moaning thread...oh excuse me...a political thread.

Yeah, "wow", I thought I was looking at the "travel safety and security" forum on flyertalk.com for a minute there.

Anyway,

I agree, Pearl Harbor is a must see when on Oahu. Between work and vacation I am able to get there at least once a year for the time being. My wife and I enjoy taking a ride out there. Most folks just treat it like a tourist destination only, but its like paying homage in my mind, so its almost like a required stop, kinda like visiting the cemetery on Memorial Day. Which by the way, I recommend a visit to Punch Bowl for anyone that visits. Very powerful reminder of the costs that have been paid.

We actually were there on Memorial Day this year, very moving. The Pacific Air Museum is well done. Once they get their additional hangars open over the next couple of years, as well as the restoration of the Ford Island control tower, it will be a top notch air museum.