A few years ago I was in Auckland, New Zealand at the same time the Queen Mary 2 was in port. One mighty and extremely luxurious cruise liner (launched in 2003 the 75,000 tonne, 1,132 feet / 345 metre long QM2 can carry 2,620 passengers along with 1,253 officers and crew)! It always stuck in my mind that I should…
Tag: World War Two
The Battleship USS Iowa (BB-61) “The Big Stick”
During World War Two the US Navy built 4 of the 45,000 tonne Iowa Class Battleships to dominate the oceans and Axis navies. Having visited three of the sister ships in 2013: USS New Jersey (BB-62 in Camden, New Jersey), USS Missouri (BB-63 in Pearl Harbour, Hawaii ) and USS Wisconsin (BB-64 in Norfolk, Virginia) I needed to complete the set and visit the class…
The National World War Two Museum
In the heart of New Orleans, Louisiana is The National World War Two Museum of the United States. This city is home to the museum because the then President Eisenhower (also the General in charge of the June 6th, 1944 D-Day invasion in Europe during World War Two) named Dr. Stephen Higgins the man who…
The Battleship USS Missouri (BB-63) “Mighty Mo”
The USS Missouri (BB-63) is an Iowa Class Battleship launched January 29th, 1944 and commissioned on June 11th, 1944. She served in the US Navy until 1955 when she became part of the ready reserve “Mothball Fleet” but was recommissioned in 1986 and went back into service until 1992. At 270.4 metres (887.3 feet) in length with a displacement of 45,000 tonnes she is a big…
Pearl Harbour 1941: Past to Present
“Yesterday, December 7, 1941—a date that will live in infamy—the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.” – US President Franklin D. Roosevelt Pearl Harbour, Oahu, Hawaii 1941 On December 7th, 1941 the Imperial Japanese Navy conducted a surprise attack upon the US Navy…
U-505 “Das Boot”
In the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago is one of the most impressive museum displays I have ever seen. U-505 the only captured World War Two era German U-boat (Unterseeboot or submarine) in the USA is presented within a purpose-built wing of the museum in all its enormous glory. I was here 12…
Semper Fi – US Marine Corps
Semper Fidelis or often shortened to Semper Fi is the motto of the US Marine Corps and is Latin for “Always Faithful” or “Always Loyal“. US Marines have been protecting their nations interests since November 10th, 1775 when they were formed to fight for independence at sea and on the shore. By congressional mandate the Marines are their…
Washington DC – The Memorials
Along and near the National Mall in Washington DC are some of the nations most significant memorials and monuments. They stand in silent tribute to former leaders, significant people and the soldiers who lived and died for liberty and freedom.
“The Big J” – USS New Jersey
In my endless quest to see everything I have ever been interested in since I was a kid, I recently walked across the Ben Franklin Bridge over the Delaware River from Philadelphia, PA to Camden, NJ to see the mighty Iowa Class Battleship the USS New Jersey (BB-62) known as “The Big J“. She served from 1942 to 1991…
Sacramento – California’s Capital
In early September 2012 I stayed in Sacramento, California for a couple of days mainly to attend the California Capital Air Show. While there I took some time to do a bit of sight-seeing, especially around the impressive State Capitol building. The Capitol building is not only the functioning state government legislature and home off the office…
Il-2 Sturmovik – The ultimate WW2 “Beast From The East” arrives in Washington
ILYUSHIN IL-2 STURMOVIK “The IL-2 aircraft are necessary for our Red Army now, like air, like bread“ Joseph Stalin (he demanded prompt and efficient production from factory officials…or else!) The Ilyushin Il-2 Sturmovik was known to the Soviet troops in WW2 as the “Flying Tank” and to the Germans as “Der Schwarze Tod” (“The Black Death“). It was a low level ground attack aircraft, heavily…
The “Boneyard” at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base
In March 2011 I visited a place that should be on every aviation enthusiasts must see list for North America: the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center (AMARG) at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, South of Tucson, Arizona. What on earth is that? Well it is better known as the “Boneyard“. After WW2 the US Air Force established an open…
Deano In America 