USS Kidd

Discussion in 'Full Scale' started by Anachronus, Apr 13, 2010.

  1. Anachronus

    Anachronus Well-Known Member

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    Over the weekend I made a long delayed visit to the USS Kidd. She is a fine example of how a museum ship should be done. She's a Fletcher class destroyer commissioned in 1943 and has been restored to her WW2 appearance. The ticket for the ship and the museum is $8.00 for an adult (which I am even though I rarely act it) and is well worth it. She is afloat for roughly 6 months of the year, depending on the level of the Mississippi river, the rest of the time she rests on a specially designed cradle.
    The high point of the visit was being greeted by one of the men who had served on the Kidd during WW2. He was a fascinating gentleman and seemed to enjoy talking to visitors. On the ship you are given a guide pamphlet and then are free to wander on your own.
    I recommend it as a side trip for visitors to the 2011 Brouhaha or if you are in Baton Rouge.
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    Now some interior shots
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    Wardroom

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    Steering Gear
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    Model of USS Tennessee in the museum. In 1/96
     
  2. Tugboat

    Tugboat Facilitator RCWC Staff Admiral (Supporter)

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    The Tennessee would be awesomein 1/72 with everything armed :)

    Nice looking destroyer, too, could be sitting pierside at any Navy base, as good as it looks! Where is it?
     
  3. Anachronus

    Anachronus Well-Known Member

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    Baton Rouge. The highlight of the Louisiana Veteran's Memorial Museum. I really can not comment too much on the museum. It was near closing time and I spent most of my time on the Kidd itself. They do also have a A-7 and a P-40E done up in AVG markings.
     
  4. Anachronus

    Anachronus Well-Known Member

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    A few more pictures
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    20mm guns

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    The cradle that keeps the Kidd from floating off. It serves to keep her centered over the supports that hold her up when the river is low.

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    Crew spaces
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    Officers Quarters
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    Workshop
     
  5. Anachronus

    Anachronus Well-Known Member

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    One more [​IMG]
     
  6. Knight4hire

    Knight4hire Active Member

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    Hmmmmm. that looks like a kittyhawk used by the AAF, not the Tomahawk that was used by the AVG.
     
  7. Anachronus

    Anachronus Well-Known Member

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    I am no expert on such matters. I just go by what the little sign says. :)
    It was noted to be a P-40E.
     
  8. Gardengnome

    Gardengnome Member

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    Nice Pics there! Thanks for sharing! I just may have to see if I can scrounge up my USS Cod ones... I took a year or so ago. That is one REAL nice museum submarine.
     
  9. Anachronus

    Anachronus Well-Known Member

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    Submarines are too cramped for me. I hit my head on things too much on a DD.
     
  10. Knight4hire

    Knight4hire Active Member

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    Yes, some very nice photos.

    By the way, a little history of the P-40.

    Warhawk was the name the United States Army Air Corps adopted for all models, making it the official name in the United States for all P-40s. The British Commonwealth and Soviet air forces used the name Tomahawk for models equivalent to the P-40B and P-40C, and the name Kittyhawk for models equivalent to the P-40D and all later variants.

    The AVG used the P-40-B model.
     
  11. hairy_apple

    hairy_apple Member

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    I figured I would share my photos of the USS Kidd I took in 2005. I've been on a number of preserved ships, but the Kidd was by far the best preserved and most fun to tour.
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  12. Anachronus

    Anachronus Well-Known Member

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    The time of year really makes a difference. She looks so out of place just sitting there in the air.
     
  13. crzyhawk

    crzyhawk Well-Known Member

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    That's a P-40 E. You can tell by the 6 50's in the wing. The AVG version, as pointed out was the P-40 B, which carried 4 30's in the wings, and two 50's firing through the propeller.