USS North Carolina (BB 55) Part 2

Seats alongside hull on the Mess Decks. The gray square box under the speaker is part of the 1 MC Announcing System. The cable is a damage control electrical cable mounted for emergency access.

Damage control equipment for fire fighting mounted in the Mess Decks..

Some enlisted berthing, these were five bunks high.

Crews bathroom facilities, sinks on the right, urinals to the rear.

Shipboard enlisted commodes of the trough type.

Sick Bay.

Enlisted Marines Quarters. They were not open for inspection.

20 mm magazines stored in ammo locker.

1.1 inch quadruple gun mount. This mount was an ineffective prewar idea replaced by other weapons over time.

1.1 inch quadruple gun mount info.

#1 16-inch/45 caliber turret from the aft starboard side.

#2 16-inch/45 caliber turret from the starboard side.

Overhead view of dual 20 mm gun mount on main deck.

5-inch/38 caliber dual mount located on port side.

Outside view from aft of 5-inch/38 caliber dual training mount.

Starboard side view of 5-inch/38 caliber dual training mount.

Port side view of 5-inch/38 caliber dual training mount. Used by gun crews to develop loading proficiency with the 5-inch/38 caliber guns.

Armored entrance to ship's conning tower.

Quad 40 mm gun mount located on port side.

Fire Control Tower, if you look closely you can see the weld mark where friendly fire killed three North Carolina sailors. The weld goes straight up just to the right of the cable.

Dual 20 mm gun mount.

#1 and #2 16-inch/45 caliber turrets, port side.

#1 16-inch/45 caliber turret from aft port side.

#2 16-inch/45 caliber turret from forward port side. The turret sits on a "barbette" which is the rounded tube under the turret. The barbette extends to the keel and below decks passageways bend around the 11-15 inch thick barbette.

Paravanes.

Ship's port anchor.

Pelican Hook used to release the anchor.

Teak deck.

Capstan operating station, forward port side.

5-inch/38 caliber dual mounts located on the ship's port side. There are five of these dual mounts located on each side of the ship.

Quad 40 mm gun mount located on top of the #3 16-inch/45 caliber turret.

Forward port side of Kingfisher Observation Aircraft.

Port side of Kingfisher Observation Aircraft.

Stern of USS North Carolina.

Spring 2010 Toy Update

My preban Colt Sporter II is moving on to a new home. Several shoulder injuries have made it hard to hold and therefore shoot a 20 inch barreled AR-15.

After attending an Urban Warfare Shooting Class a few years ago, I got rid of my first AR-15, a Colt 20 inch R6600 HBAR AR-15A2. After firing roughly 1000 rounds in three days, I was exhausted. I had purchased that rifle specifically for that training course. And during the course I learned a lot. The main thing I learned was that rifle was damn heavy. Immediately after completing the course, it hit the gun locker and remained there until I found a buyer. After the course I also immediately bought a Colt 16 inch lightweight Ar-15A2 upper on a Colt AR-15A3 lower.

The above preban Colt 20 inch Sporter II came to me from one of my brothers after I got my lightweight and has sat unfired in my safe ever since. A spring episode of "gun fever" caused me to decide to turn an unused asset into something I could use. For a microsecond I thought about an AK 47 but I just couldn't do it. Maybe next time.



The base for the replacement will be this lower from Rock River Arms.



I am presently working out the details for the upper receiver. At this point, I think it will not be an A2 style upper. It will however have a lightweight 16 inch chrome lined barrel. It will also more than likely be made by Rock River Arms.

I think a lightweight 16 inch barrel AR-15 with any sighting system (red dot, telescopic or iron sight) is very effective up to 100 yards. If the person you are engaged with is 100 yards away or more, I feel you may want to consider withdrawing or it's probably time for a larger rifle.

06-03-10, the lower is now in my possession.

06-08-10, my upper has been ordered as shown her. This is an Rock River Arms Entry Tactical Upper Half (A4 Receiver)with a detachable A2 carry handle. The lightweight chrome lined barrel will be 1/7 twist.

Assembled, the new rifle complete with a full 30 round magazine will weigh equal to or less than the Colt Sporter II without a magazine that it replaces.

Thank God He Made it Home - But Some Of His Shipmates Did Not

The Old Salt would like to thank him and his shipmates for a "Job Well Done".

Happy Birthday To Me

20 gauge Remington 870 Wingmaster with a 28 inch barrel and the capability of multiple chokes.


A closeup of the action,

Buttstock,

and, Forearm.


While taking the picture, my dog Shasta walked by and in typical dog fashion licked the shotgun. I wiped it dry but I think the picture shows a fingerprint which is not there.

This shotgun was a "sweet deal." Now all I need is a full set of chokes and perhaps a slug barrel.

An Irish Gang

A Three Monsters Photography Photo

Very similar to the "Three Musketeers" or perhaps it is just Moe, Larry and Curly at work.

Two Florida Birthday Boys

Here are the suspects in question. No they are not twins. The big guys twin is in NC. The Florida Birthday Boys, one is 66 years of age and one is 2 years of age, but they play well together.


When you are the youngest brother, there is always help opening your presents.


Brother is very observant.


Learning how to drill your way into your next present, kind of like a mini-safecracker.


All the boys are into something in this picture, including Dad.


Have you ever, I say ever, seen a cuter construction worker?


He looks "On The Job".


Another shot of our junior hero.