Val at Nimitz Museum in Texas

RickH · **Posted:** Thu Aug 27, 2009 9:07 am

The more I look at everyone's photos, I think I stand corrected.

I believe I mistook two seperate piles of parts as two Vals. It looks like they were parts from the same Val, but I seem to remember a beatup fuselage without wings...

I can't believe that they haven't done anything to the Rex, except lock it away. It's in pretty good condition and as far as I know, pretty complete. But, I've scratched my head over the decisions they've made before. :shock:

RyanShort1 · **Posted:** Thu Aug 27, 2009 9:16 am

It's a state-run museum with a lot of personalities involved. Texas isn't quite perfect ya know.

It is a good museum, though!

Ryan

Brad · **Joined:** Thu Apr 29, 2004 10:30 pm **Posts:** 1131

RickH wrote:

The more I look at everyone's photos, I think I stand corrected.

I believe I mistook two seperate piles of parts as two Vals. It looks like they were parts from the same Val, but I seem to remember a beatup fuselage without wings...

I can't believe that they haven't done anything to the Rex, except lock it away. It's in pretty good condition and as far as I know, pretty complete. But, I've scratched my head over the decisions they've made before. :shock:

Rick,

There is actually one pretty complete VAL and at least the tail section to a 2nd Val. When it was all displayed outside the second tail was displayed beside the complete plane. For years I thought it was only one plane. Maybe there is more to the second Val but I've never seen any of it.

RickH · **Posted:** Thu Aug 27, 2009 7:28 pm

Ryan, the Nimitz Museum was deassessed as a state facility by TPW several years ago.

They are a Texas Historical Commision property, run by the Nimitz Museum Foundation.

RyanShort1 · **Posted:** Thu Aug 27, 2009 7:54 pm

RickH wrote:

Ryan, the Nimitz Museum was deassessed as a state facility by TPW several years ago.

They are a Texas Historical Commision property, run by the Nimitz Museum Foundation.

Hmmm. I think I like that! I prefer private museums most of the time.

Ryan

Lynn Allen · **Posted:** Thu Aug 27, 2009 8:23 pm

Still a nice looking PT boat......

Lynn

RickH · **Posted:** Thu Aug 27, 2009 9:50 pm

Lynn, it was really cool when it was in the water. They were this close to running her under power when she was siezed by armed TPW agents and taken to the Museum and put into the hole.

An interesting footnote; The 78 ft Higgins Boats carried two 800 gal fuel tanks midships as well as aluminum tanks aft of the engine room. The 800 gal tanks were made with the same self sealing construction as the aircraft tanks. They are still fitted to PT-309.

A2C · **Posted:** Sat Aug 29, 2009 12:59 am

The Val's airframe looks pretty straight and clean except for the tail. Most of the other Japanese plane wrecks appear to by dented up or badly corroded. This one could probably be brought back to the air in my opinion.

Tulio · **Joined:** Mon May 03, 2004 1:05 am **Posts:** 3236

RickH

Do you know if the PT is the same boat that was being rebuilt near the USS Texas in San Jacinto?

Saludos,

Tulio

RickH · **Posted:** Sat Aug 29, 2009 7:59 am

It is Tulio.

I was there the day they moved it from San Jacinto to Clear Lake. They dropped it into the water and let it sit for 24 hrs with the slings still around her. Several bilge pumps were set up and everyone waited. Leakage was minimal as the hull swelled up. The deckhouse that had been constructed was refitted as well as the gun tubs. The 40 MM was trucked across Houston in the back of a volunteer's truck. No one noticed or panicked ! ( It is Texas afterall, people are used to seeing big guns !

) She was towed over to the Lakewood Yacht Club where she made her public debut and was commisioned into the Texas Navy. Cliff Robertson attended as wella s some of her wartime crew.

t would have been great to keep her in running condition as she would have made a great ambassador for the Nimitz Museum.

HELLDIVERS · **Joined:** Sun Nov 07, 2004 3:38 pm **Posts:** 642

This is one very well done museum !! I've been there several times and enjoyed it everytime . The staff was very friendly and the displays first class. Thanks for posting the photos of the Val and TBM. The TBM is one of the most original that I've ever scene, Could you send me photos of it via email? The Val could be restored with out a whole lot of effort but I think they want to leave it as is for it's historical intrest. The extra tail and parts were recovered for that reason but as you know ideas always change. If your ever in that part of Texas you will not be disapointed by your visit. Any more inside shots of the TBM? Please post!!
Thanks Mike

Brad · **Joined:** Thu Apr 29, 2004 10:30 pm **Posts:** 1131

I was looking for a new set of mandolin strings that I misplaced a few years ago and found the Rex pictures by accident. Still can't find the mandolin strings though. I believe these were taken in the mid 90s.

Hemiman · **Posted:** Wed Oct 21, 2009 11:05 pm

hurk130 · **Posted:** Thu Oct 22, 2009 6:49 pm

Hey Brad, Wasn't those pictures taken when we went to F-burg that one time? We got to check out the Rex for awhile if I remember. We bought a few models out of the gift shop. I think I snaked you on a P-51B kit. The memory is getting fuzzy....Kel

gary1954 · **Posted:** Thu Oct 22, 2009 9:35 pm

RickH wrote:

Lynn, it was really cool when it was in the water. They were this close to running her under power when she was siezed by armed TPW agents and taken to the Museum and put into the hole.

An interesting footnote; The 78 ft Higgins Boats carried two 800 gal fuel tanks midships as well as aluminum tanks aft of the engine room. The 800 gal tanks were made with the same self sealing construction as the aircraft tanks. They are still fitted to PT-309.

Is it illegal to own a PT Boat? If So, Why...its a Boat

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Val at Nimitz Museum in Texas

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