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Article 122 while operational in the 1960's
JUNE 2008 UPDATE FROM THE USS INTREPID SEA, AIR & SPACE MUSEUM
Eric Boehm reports that sanding has commenced on A-12 Article
122 in preparation for a new paint job. He advised that he would be contacting
the Roadrunners if he had any doubts as to location of decals and markings. He
also advised that the plane has been strategically placed for excellent viewing
on the ship's web cams. http://www.intrepidmuseum.org/pages/webcams The
Intrepid is still on schedule to return to New York, NY on October 2nd, 2008 and
for the grand re-opening on November 8th, 2008.
When the ship was moved in to the dry-dock slip last month the
aircraft was moved amidships, adjacent to the island superstructure. This was
necessary to balance the ship while the water was pumped out and the ship
settled onto the blocks in the dry dock slip. The plane is hidden from the
Intrepid web-cam which is mounted on the highest point of the ships antennae
masts on the island. The camera alternates from two different views, one dead
astern and one straight forward. This leaves the entire central 1/3rd of the
flight deck obstructed from view. Article 122 is parked there for two reasons.
It's the largest and heaviest aircraft on the deck, so the center is the best
place for her. Secondly, she is partially shielded from the wind by the island
superstructure. Intrepid was re-floated just 2 days ago after getting her hull
completely cleaned , repaired, and repainted. Her propellers were removed in
order to avoid any future handling problems. The props caused us to be stuck in
the mud in Manhattan which set our timetable back a complete month while we
waited to be dug out. The ship was pulled from the dry-dock repair slip the last
week of May and has been moved alongside the slip in Bayonne until she is ready
to moved to her next temporary home on Staten Island. This will happen next
Wednesday, June 6th. While there, the exhibits on the hangar deck will be
reworked, more original ships spaces will be refurbished, and several of the
aircraft will be repaired and repainted. Article 122, which was repainted under
USAF guidance in October 2005, will also be sporting fresh paint when we reopen
to the public in November of 2008.
Eric Boehm, Intrepid Museum
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