Roadtrip: A really big boat, and other things, in Mobile, Alabama

Back in LA (Lower Alabama) en route west, with a stop in Mobile and the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park.

One really big ship (USS Alabama),
One submarine (USS Drum),
Two really big airplanes (B-52D Stratofortress & A12 Blackbird spy plane)
Lots of tanks and other military land vehicles
A lot of other planes, including an indoor museum
Many smaller boats, with Coast Guard ships and a mini-sub
Memorials honoring Alabama soldiers in most conflicts

A slightly different perspective, with some backstories…

Outside

A blue archway labeled 'Vickery's Bridge' with two people standing under it, while a third person takes their photo. The background features multiple flags and memorials. — A famous photographer was interrupted mid- portrait

Carved stone plaque featuring the text 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA' above a stylized depiction of the American flag, featuring alternating red and white stripes and a blue field with white stars. — “Flagstone”

A wooden bench with metal armrests situated on grass, accompanied by a commemorative plaque honoring CWD Hank Pursley, an explosive detection K9, retired from service. — Hank’s Bench

Three people sitting on benches facing a humorous sign that reads 'BUTT CAN' in a grassy outdoor setting. — Oh my!

A rear view of a large aircraft on display under a clear blue sky, showcasing its tail and wings. — Speaking of butts, the backend of the B-52D

Close-up view of the nose section of a military aircraft named 'Calamity Jane,' featuring a black exterior adorned with bomb markings and the number 071, set against a clear blue sky. — Calamity Jane’s nose
(The front end of the aforementioned B-52D… no one would take my $5 offer to sneak into the plane and wave out of a cockpit window, vastly improving the picture… very disappointing)
(The small plane in the background adds an interesting element)

Close-up view of an aircraft wing and jet engines in an outdoor setting, with a helicopter visible in the background. — What makes a B-52D go

A memorial featuring a soldier's helmet atop boots, mounted on a pedestal with engraved names and inscriptions, set against a clear blue sky. — 9/11 Memorial to Alabama’s fallen

Close-up view of the nose of a black aircraft, likely a stealth jet, showing a cockpit window and warning labels, set against a corrugated metal hangar background. — Nose of the A12 spy plane.

The notice below the window says, “WARNING: This aircraft contains a seat containing an explosive charge. See maintenance manual before removing.”

Important Note: In addition to seeing the manual, it is good to **READ** the manual!

An old, rusty military truck parked in a grassy area, showing signs of wear and vegetation growing around it. — This slightly disheveled guy was sitting off to the side, away from the other, nicely cleaned up, displays.

In the museum

Close-up of a truck with the name 'Black Widow' painted in red, featuring a spider web design and an American flag in the background. — Viet Nam- era transport truck

An interesting backstory:

Close-up view of a vintage aircraft propeller in a museum, showcasing the engine and display information beside it. — An AD-4N Skyraider… the last major propeller attack aircraft used by the US military

Sign detailing the transfer of an AD-4N Skyraider to the United States Navy from the Department of Homeland Security after aircraft forfeiture.

Inquiring minds had to do a bit of research about this sign:

After U.S. service, the aircraft went into the civilian/foreign surplus market
The plane was sold overseas and ended up in France.
Later, it was purchased by another private collector and shipped back to the U.S.
The plane was seized by U.S. Customs because its 20mm cannons were still functional (a major no-no). The guns had been removed from the plane, crated up, and “smuggled” into the US along with the plane.
The plane was “forfeited” to the DHS and the U.S. government. It was transferred to the Navy
Eventually, it was loaned to the museum. No information about where the cannons went.

Close-up view of the mechanical components and hydraulic systems of a military vehicle's undercarriage. — What the interior of a wing looks like when it is folded back (for storage on an aircraft carrier)

Another backstory:

From the nose of a Vought RF-8A Crusader

A photo-reconnaissance version of the F-8 Crusader jet fighter (no guns). This aircraft flew dangerous low-level reconnaissance missions during the Cuban Missile Crisis circa 1962.

“LT JIM CURRY” → real pilot who flew this aircraft
Nose art & insignia → squadron identity (VFP-62… Light Photographic Squadron 62)
RESCUE arrow → standard jet safety marking
Silhouettes → stylized mission artwork

A silhouette art piece depicting a figure with a beard, wearing a shirt and pants with boots, surrounded by smaller figures reaching up, creating a whimsical and playful scene. — Close-up of the mission combat artwork. ‘Not sure about its meaning. It’s generally interpreted as mission-themed artwork tied to reconnaissance over Cuba. Maybe it is Fidel?

Inside a Submarine

Interior view of a submarine control room showcasing various mechanical components and gauges, including multiple portholes and a control panel. — Bow torpedo tubes

An interior view of a vintage communication room featuring vintage radios and a typewriter on a desk, with a wooden stool beside it. — Communications Center.
Note the predecessor to texting in the middle of the image.

Close-up of a control panel featuring six pressure gauges and several red valves, with visible markings and dials, set against a dark background. — Old-style gauges and valves. Bottom middle gauge may be a self-portrait.

Interior view of a submarine's control panel featuring large copper-colored pressure chambers and various mechanical components. — Aft torpedo tubes.

On the Big Boat

View of a large white building with many windows, featuring a painted American flag on the side, framed by a metal gun barrel in the foreground. — Don’t like the building? Shoot it!

Close-up of a wooden floor with six removable plates, featuring metal anchors in a decorative arrangement. — Pattern where something was once held down on the wooden deck.

One more Backstory:

A colorful mural featuring abstract shapes, patterns, and a silhouette of a canoe, along with palm trees and various geometric designs in vibrant colors.

This is the ship’s combat record/ victory marking board mounted on the side of the ship’s main tower just below the bridge.

Top right: 22 planes shot down. The symbol probably indicates they were torpedo planes.
Top left: 6 Pacific Island campaigns, basically the Pacific Theatre of Operations
Bottom two rows: stylized versions of campaign ribbons/battle stars. Each color combination represents a specific campaign, operation, or theater for which the ship earned credit.
The two rows are the equivalent of the ribbons soldiers wear on their dress uniforms.
- The Stars on the top row, right side, indicate battle stars—awards given for participation in major engagements.
The USS Alabama got ribbons for
- Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign (1943–44)
- Marianas and Palau Islands campaign (Saipan, Guam, Tinian)
- Philippines campaign (1944–45)
- Battle of Leyte Gulf (support role)
- Iwo Jima campaign
- Okinawa campaign
- Plus fast-carrier strikes on:
  - Formosa (Taiwan)
  - Japan home islands
  - Caroline Islands

A close-up view of a gray structure with a colorful mural featuring geometric and abstract designs, including stripes and shapes in various colors.

Big Guns from the outside

A close-up view of the bow of a battleship, featuring several large, prominent cannons aimed forward. The ship's superstructure includes radar and signal flags against a clear blue sky.

Big guns from the inside

Interior view of a metallic wall featuring two closed doors, one with a round window and the other a circular hole, accompanied by exposed pipes and electrical panels. A red rose decorates the wall near the right door. — There was a small hatch under the back of the gun emplacement, almost too small for little ole’ me to fit through. It led up into the gun emplacement itself. A little, very crowded room that led to the cannons themselves. which were locked off.

Close-up of two red valve handles mounted on a metallic gray panel with pipes connected above.

Close-up of a brass ship's wheel with directional markings, casting a shadow on a blue surface. — Navy speak for “Go Down” and Go Up.”

Perspective

Two people waving from the side of a battleship, with the ship's large gun turrets and technical equipment visible in the background.

A battleship docked with a clear sky in the background, labeled 'Fred' with an arrow pointing to a specific section of the ship.

Finale

Front view of a vintage airplane with propellers, displayed outdoors on a grassy area. A sign in front indicates the plane's significance, with a blue sky and another aircraft in the background. — Douglas C-47 (military version of the awesome Douglas DC-3), under restoration.
This memory is for me; the rest of you can ignore it.

Want to see more?

Click/ tap here for our visit to the Park in 2025.

Click here for a 2013 morning walkabout in the city of Mobile.

April 15, 2026, from an April 7 visit.

Thanks for visiting!

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