I visited the USS Hornet Museum in Alameda a couple of weeks ago. Later in the trip I spent a frustrating day at Nellis which was very quiet and none of the pictures are worth posting
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timothyholden, on Flickr
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NAS Alameda. Its now business units and housing. You can walk round pretty much anywhere. Some of the housing is quite high end, but other areas are a bit sketchy. Outside the main gate is a homeless encampment.
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timothyholden, on Flickr
Gate guard is still in place.
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timothyholden, on Flickr
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There is also an A7 preserved on base.
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timothyholden, on Flickr
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The guys at the museum are really friendly and love to chat. The guy who showed me the F8 cockpit flew missions in F9F Panthers over Korea and later flew the swept wing Cougar. He is in his 90's but just loves working at the museum.
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timothyholden, on Flickr
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timothyholden, on Flickr
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Not many Sea Kings have these mission markings! The Hornet recovered a number of Apollo astronaut crews including Armstrong, Aldrin & Collins form the Apollo 11.
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timothyholden, on Flickr
For the first moon landing the crew were placed in quarentine as nobody knew is there any deadly moon diseases that were not known to the human immune system. The crew were isolated and lived in this caravan for a number of days prior to being released.
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timothyholden, on Flickr
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timothyholden, on Flickr
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timothyholden, on Flickr
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timothyholden, on Flickr
The Phantom has been on deck for a number of years and is undergoing restoration. Mid way through a re--spray.
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timothyholden, on Flickr
Fantail under the deck rounddown.
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timothyholden, on Flickr
Bow catapult. Hornet never received steam catapults like some of her sisters. These are pneumatic which were not powerful enough to launch fighters like the F8. She was mainly an ASW carrier after Korea.
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timothyholden, on Flickr
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timothyholden, on Flickr
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timothyholden, on Flickr
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The F14 has a TARPS recon pod.
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timothyholden, on Flickr
LSO platform.
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timothyholden, on Flickr
Call the ball! The mirror landing sight.
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timothyholden, on Flickr
Aircrew briefing room.