1958 F.W.D.

$219.00 later...........Just arrived today.

Pictured is a 26" thick hunk of a captured Yamata class BB which was punctured by a US Mark 7 16" (Iowa class BB) gun during a test. The only actual US/Jap BB battle was Guadalcanal Nov 12, 1942 when the USS Washington traded shots with the IJN Kirashima. If you like to read and enjoy US Naval history, I highly recommend the book "Neptune's Inferno" by James D. Hornfischer about that battle. One of the best books I have ever read.

https://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/watch-and-hear-the-last-time-the-battleship-wisconsin-f-1707956997

The Iowa-Class BB's were almost as long as Forrestal-Class CVA's

Some pictures I took of the USS Iowa BB-61 and the USS Forrestal CV-59 tied up on the "Battleship Quaywall" on the Delaware River at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard when I was a civilian firefighter there. I think I took these in the spring of 1997, by then the PNSY had been pretty much shut down and the ships there are under NISMF (Naval Inactive Ships Maintenance Facility.) Had I been caught with a camera in some of these areas when the PNSY was in full production I would not be here. Most of these were waiting for disposal but a few were part of the ready reserve force (could be activated, steam in the kettle ready to turn screws) within 96 hours.

Here is the giant Hammerhead crane at the PNSY, which was used to lift and install the gun turrets into the BB's during construction. Was torn down while I was there as a civilian firefighter. Was not allowed to take pictures, but a smaller crane lifted a skid steer with a concrete pecker up into the cab to break apart the concrete counterweight.

They were replaced in 1961, and have been sitting at Dahlgren since. They obtained one for display on the pier, one is going to be displayed at the Phila Naval Shipyard (where two of the Iowa-Class BB's were built) and one is going to Gary Mahan's collection.

All this boot talk made me finally pull the trigger on a new pair. When I was a Federal Firefighter, I wore Thorogood and Lehigh Safety Shoes almost exclusively. I had 3 or 4 pairs of Lehigh uniform safety boots and shoes and they were always pretty good to me so I took a ride over to the factory store in Allentown a few miles from me. Went in there and seems to me that they discontinued all of their stuff (made in USA) and were selling other people's crap. The few pairs of USA made ones they had were "assembled in the USA of foreign made components. Walked out. Got home, went online. That Wesco place looked pretty good but they didn't have anything I liked. Looked at Carolina and Georgia....Nothing made in the USA anymore. Then looked at Thorogood, thank god they still have a line that is completely made in the USA. Got a pair of these through Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000I7H4KE/ref=nav_timeline_asin?_encoding=UTF8&th=1&psc=1

Aberdeen Proving Ground, dammit. There is no "S" in "Ground."

Yep, in front of old #4 treatment shop (High House.) I often show friends from out of town the old plant and this is a stop. Had Slpwlkr there last summer in fact.

Matt Pfahl (not sure if he is on here?) had a big hand in moving them and posted some pictures on his facebook page. A big A-Car tractor was the power. And on a local note, the main castings for the 16" 50 Caliber Mark 7 guns were made not 5 miles from where I am typing this at Bethlehem Steel's Bethlehem, Pa. plant. As was most of the plate steel and the armor plating for all of the Iowa-Class BB's

I just looked at that Wesco Boots website, never heard of them. I like American made boots as much as the next guy but not THAT much.

Yuppies have discovered Red Wing.

I was a loyal RW fan for years, then about 85% of their product went foreign made and the quality went down the toilet. Now I buy Lehigh (the store is close to the house) or I buy Carolina but even those are starting to go foreign. A friend turned me on to this place and I think next go-around I may give them a try: http://www.midwestboots.com/category/USA-Made-Built.html

Otherdog, Hatcity and Green Dash must all secure the proper federal, state and local permits to be in the same place at the same time before you can come.

I am contemplating having a get-together at the Hellertown Truck Stop on the Wednesday night of Macungie for those of you who may be arriving early. Not set in stone yet, just getting a feel for how many might be interested. Respond here if you think you'd come out if in town on Wednesday night. I live in Hellertown, which is east on 78 at Exit 67, about 10 miles past the museum.

WOW! Glad you are OK. Sounds like the fight I had with a set of pins on a Ford L-9000 tractor when I worked at Jevic. Lots of oxygen/acetylene and swings with a 20 pound sledge. No injuries though except sore shoulders.

You misspelled "Cole Hersee"

Interesting, I have always believed that Fram was the best. Recently though I changed to Royal Purple oil and filters when I started running that in the 5.7 Hemi Ram.

Yes I need paper for lining for the ferret cage

I know this is a long shot, but.......If you happen to have any F.W.D. or Waukesha documents......hint hint

EXCELLENT!!

The hot sauce with the pink cap is mine

Joe Kennedy III says "If Trump builds a wall my generation will tear it down!" Yeah, not scared. Your generation will be trying to find a demolition app on their iphones as they are munching on tide pods.

Awesome!!! Ever do any firetrucks? Wanna do an F.W.D. Firetruck?