SPA Modeler

OK-- so I went with my son's Boy Scout troop to Fall River, MA to do an overnight on the USS Massachusetts. It was quite an amazing experience that you all should try if you ever can I'll try posting some pics somewhat chronologically...first thing we see upon entering was a landing craft the boys encountered...

I took a shot from where the pilot would've been...

That's the boys running away....they ran everywhere...I didn't....where do they get all the energy?

Parked next to these was a Huey and a Cobra....my battery on the phone got low before I got shots of the Huey-- but maybe someone here might like these....







Couldn't get shots of the outside as they had it cordoned off...

And from afar when I had charged up again-- a Trojan...sorry- only shot I got-- we were there for ships don't you know

I'll post those separately...

Then it was time to get all the gear to the bunks...my son's the smiley one...


You'll never guess which bunk I ended up with

Next up was the Lionfish-- I ended up taking pics there with Luke's phone so I didn't get many with my own...I also hadn't charged it up yet :(

We then toured the destroyer Joseph P. Kennedy Jr....where I got another shot of the sub and Big Mamie behind her

They also have an East German missile ship called the Hiddensee there that was very interesting....


After that- we got ready for dinner on the ship which happened right after the ship closed to the general public...we had 36 in our group, there was another 20 Scouts...and another group of Canadian scouts Food was excellent...and from 6-10pm we had free time to explore. I stayed with my son and the other three from when I was their den leader...but they were running around playing Manhunt...and I realized I was the only adult around as everyone else did their own thing. Hey-- I paid $65 to come here- I wasn't about to be babysitter....so I took off on my own

First off some shots from the bow--

While there- three of my boys came up so I grabbed a shot...

They then realized the 40mm mounts could be cranked around and up and down so they were busy for an hour or so Read up on my history-- Massachusetts saw some action at Casablanca for Torch...


They had this near the 40mm mount....

We were able to crawl inside one of the 5" and 12" gun mounts...tight quarters...

The top deck closed at sunset so I got up to the bridge area...Lucas beat me to the seat in the front with the view


And a shot of the bridge area with all the steering and compass instruments...

Then it was on to the lower decks-- saw sick bay, the armory area, and the powder magazine...this was deep in the barbettes...

I can't quite describe the feeling...as it was near 8 pm and I was all alone in the bowels of the ship- it was just so surreal thinking of the men all those months fighting in the Atlantic and Pacific...can't say it was like their ghosts were there since Big Mamie never lost a sailor in combat but it was just so cool...I was like a big kid.
Here's a shot of the dentist's area for Doc Steinman


Then- to my delight-- a deck entirely dedicated to models....hundreds of them...I spent an hour in here alone...and took only a handful- whatever really struck me...some didn't come out great as the lighting in some areas was not great.














I imagine these were done long before all the nifty new WWI tank kits came out

And a special section for my new interest- Main Battle Tanks









Loads of talent in the Fall River area- although I didn't see anything from our resident Bostonian Ken If only they knew the talent

Soon after all that it was lights out...and at floor level- well-- almost all lights out...


Between that, being near the door that led to the area where the head was (letting in arctic blasts of air), and about 7-10 people snoring, I didn't sleep well.

Next morning-- after breakfast- we did the group shot...


And I did a quick run through of the PT Boat house...look Saúl--

The Packard engine on these was a beaut!


And a nice little dio there to wrap it all up...


That's it- I had a blast and would recommend it to any and all who can make it there!

Oh my goodness. What an amazing experience. I would love to do that. Great pictures and it looks to be some pretty awesome kids.

A couple years ago, I picked up a brochure on Battleship Cove while visiting Maine. I may head out there this summer on the way home if time allows. I believe they do the Pearl Harbor attack experience as well (weather permitting).

Thanks guys!

Blacksheep--

They did the Experience Sunday am-- it was basically just a short (10 minutes?) movie they showed outside of the PT Boat hanger-- the boys stood outside and watched it...

Man that would be awesome to do. You can do the same thing at the USS Lexington in Corpus Christi.