Warbird Information Exchange

Sunday Jeffie, Bucker Boy, our families and me went on a little nautical excursion over to Catalina Island on the restored WWII Victory ship S.S. Lane Victory. My friend and fellow CAF member Chris Rushing who also flies with the Condor Squadron provided part of the excitement when he and the boys flew out and staged a mock attack on the ship. Now I have got to tell you I have seen a few flight routines in my day but never like this! Seven aircraft attacking from both sides of the ship while the guns of the Lane Victory boom away gave me chills! This event has been taking place for years and I don’t know why it took me so long to do this. It is an all day adventure with breakfast and lunch included. Beer and wine is available as well.

They provide guided tours of the ship as you are underway. There is a band on board and other entertainers. The staff is friendly and courteous. They have a wonderful museum and gift shop below deck. They are well organized and family friendly.

These folks are all volunteers trying to preserve a wonderful bit of history. This is a top-notch operation. And now the bad news.

Like many non-profits these days they are struggling to break even. Costs are up and visitors are down. If you read this and want to help them out book a cruise, buy the tee shirt or cap, join their organization and volunteer your time.

These folks have no ties to the CAF so understand that my reason for this is to in some way get the word out that they need your support. If you live in L.A. at least go down and take a tour. It would be very sad to loose this truly wonderful historical adventure.
My Lane Victory Pics:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dzZMp4FTIs


S.S. Lane Victory website:
http://www.lanevictory.org/

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Sounds like a cool adventure, something I would very much like to do someday. Great pics also, thanks.

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Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

Dan,
Thanks for getting the word out for those guys. They do a great job preserving history and are fighting an uphill battle. People these days are just not as interested in real life participation when they can just turn on a computer in the comfort of their own homes. I am glad you enjoyed the cruise (it was a beautiful weekend). I would like to experience it from the ship one day. Those guys are as passionate about ships as we are about airplanes and I applaud their effort. If you live in or near Los Angeles and don't experience this before it ends you are missing the boat (literally).

For people closer to the East coast, they also do a similar cruise on the John W. Brown in the Chesapeake Bay. I think they also make trips up and down the East coast to different locations each summer. Last summer they were in Boston. I think there is one coming up in the Providence, RI area later this year. Their website is:

http://www.liberty-ship.com

That looks like so much fun! I had no idea there was such a cruise to be had.

Thanks for sharing the info.

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Zane Adams
There I was at 20,000 ft, upside down and out of ammunition.
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