Battleship Expo-Richmond UPDATE-GRAND OPENING 7/7 MVs WANTED

[John Neuenburg]

Last week one of turret 3's 16-inch gun barrels was raised for the first time in 21 years. From 0 to 20 degress to be exact. Those are the two positions that have a locking pin for the barrels. Note the mast is back up where it belongs.

Live_TV_&_Gun_Raising_4-27-12_006.JPG (106.39 KiB) Viewed 307 times

Each barrel is 68 feet long (only 44 feet is visible outside the turret) and weigh 292,000 lbs. with the breech. Guns recoil 47 inches and no, the ship does not move sidewise when fired. The blast pressure does push the water out, making the ship appear she is moving.

Some recent photos. You can see why the public tours are limited.

[John Neuenburg]

A few more recent photos for the battleship fans nationwide who have found this thread.

[John Neuenburg]

Yet one more open house weekend is planned for May 12-13 because of the re-scheduled EMU-309 Huey landing on the helo deck is on for that Sunday. Yes the ship is open on Saturday too and MVers are encouraged to display vehicles. Could be some better/different tours will happen as the scaffolding and nets come down.

[John Neuenburg]

Wouldn't you know after all the buildup the ship didn't make the tow to LA last Sunday due to gale force winds in the ocean. They are sticking wet fingers in the air and may leave Friday but likely after that. Here is a good story about this on their website: http://pacificbattleship.com/page/updates

[John Neuenburg]

Here's a link to another post about a video just released of the Huey landing aboard Iowa.

viewtopic.php?f=59&t=206196&p=1206820#p1206820

[John Neuenburg]

Tour manager is asking for MVs on display at the grand opening July 7. Interested people should get on Dave's radar screen to hear about this and other special events at and aboard Iowa. Here is his info:
David Way
Curator / Tour Manager
USS IOWA BB 61
Pacific Battleship Center
877-446-9261 xt. 713
mailto:dway@LAbattleship.com