Gator Navy meets Tailhook Navy!

CitationDrvr · 08-27-2008, 11:29 PM

This photo is NOT photoshopped. Yes..that's an F-14 tomcat on the flightdeck of the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6)! I served on the BHR for two years. In this pic, she is enroute to Hawaii for exercises, and carrying one of the last F-14s to fly in active service. It's not flying, however. Instead, the BHR is taking the Tomcat to the Pacific Aviation Museum in Pearl Harbor where it will be a featured exhibit.

gospodin · 08-27-2008, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CitationDrvr

This photo is NOT photoshopped. Yes..that's an F-14 tomcat on the flightdeck of the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6)! I served on the BHR for two years. In this pic, she is enroute to Hawaii for exercises, and carrying one of the last F-14s to fly in active service. It's not flying, however. Instead, the BHR is taking the Tomcat to the Pacific Aviation Museum in Pearl Harbor where it will be a featured exhibit.

So the plane was loaded aboard then, since BHR has no catapults or arresters. Interesting, hope the ship was scheduled to go to Pearl, and not just being sent as a ferry for that plane...what a waste of money if that was the case.

CitationDrvr · 08-28-2008, 12:17 AM

Yep..craned aboard. The BHR was going to Hawaii anyway for war games. We call the exercise "RIMPAC".

CitationDrvr · 08-28-2008, 12:20 AM

A little bit more on the story:
Landings: Aviation News by Pacific Flyer: Aug 2008

N. Eberhard · 08-28-2008, 12:43 AM

I want to go to Pearl.

CitationDrvr · 08-28-2008, 01:31 AM

I was at the museum earlier this past June. Presently, there are only a handful of planes to see in one restored hangar. They have plans to expand to three restored hangars each representing a different era in Naval aviation, and to also restore the iconic control tower.

gospodin · 08-28-2008, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CitationDrvr

I was at the museum earlier this past June. Presently, there are only a handful of planes to see in one restored hangar. They have plans to expand to three restored hangars each representing a different era in Naval aviation, and to also restore the iconic control tower.

Are there plans to expand the ship museums? I know they have Arizona, of course, and Missouri, but are there others, or plans for others?

CitationDrvr · 08-28-2008, 12:41 PM

Well, I do know that Hawaii had lost a bid to have the USS Midway come there. San Diego won that bid, as many know. I did spy an old LPH on the pier at Pearl Harbor Naval Station when I was there in June, but it may have been for training purposes. I imagine that Hawaii will bid for another Aircraft Carrier museum sometime in the future, but I really don't know.

corby78 · 08-28-2008, 07:08 PM

Man that shot brings back some glory days of the Navy.