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Got the chance to tour the USS Hornet, CV12, while I was in the San Francisco area last week (actually located at Alameda). It has been converted to a museum, lots to see for history buffs from WWII to the Space Age (the Hornet recovered the Apollo 11 astronauts on their return from the Moon). Here's some pictures from the tour, well worth it if you get a chance to visit.

Side view from the pier

The island as seen from the flight deck

The view from flight ops (PriFly) over the stern (you can see the Bay Bridge and the SF skyline in the background).

The bridge and Captain's Chair

Mural showing all the aircraft that flew off the ship in it's career (note the B25, they are counting those that flew off CV8 Hornet as well).

Crests for all of it's Essex-class sister ships

F14 on the deck.

TBM-3 on the hangar deck.

A replica of the ship's 'Scoreboard' from WWII

The 'Quarantine Trailer' used by the astronauts from Apollo 11 (they had to remain in there under observation for 72 hours to ensure they didn't bring back any alien diseases!). Basically just a sealed motor home from the 60s!

The supply officer's office in the Sick Bay (tiny!)

Berthing in sick bay (the normal crew berthing areas were stacked three high).

One of the turbines down in engineering (it had 4 pairs of turbines, a high-pressure and low pressure on each propeller shaft).

Battle flags, the one on the left was recovered from the original Hornet CV-8 from the Battle of Santa Cruz, the one on the right was from CV-12 during the Battle of the Phillipine Sea.

Nice pics! Thanks for sharing! [:)]

A display of models of all the aircraft associated with the USS Hornet. Again note the B-25, and of course the Space Capsule!

The ship is full of history, they have converted several of the rooms below decks into 'mini-shrines' for each of the Essex-class ships, the CVEs (Jeep Carriers), the Doolittle Raid, and several other topics. Lots of pictures, personal momentos, and dozens of really good quality models. Got me interested in building some models again!

Thanks! Very nice and informative photos. [&o]

wow, and this remind me how shame is that they didnt converted enterprice to musum ship.

nice photos, thanks Gary

Great pics. Thanks for sharing.