Item to swap for 5" gun?

[Mark Sarsfield]

Rick,

  In the rare instance that the San Francisco sub vets want to swap one of thier base's 5" sub guns for something that we have, what would you consider letting go?  One of our 3" sub guns is one idea.  They might want some variety with their display or they might be looking to get rid of the old guns all together and put something else on display.  I'm still waiting for my USSVI contact to get me a POC for the vets that actually hold sway over the sub base out there.  I just thought that I'd put this out there for food for thought.

[Lance Dean]

THE CABOOSE!!   

[Mark Sarsfield]

No one would miss that.  Too bad it wouldn't look very good outside of a sub base commander's office.   

[Lance Dean]

I bet you could paint it gray and black and mount a gun on it....and that would get someone interested!   

[Mark Sarsfield]

We'll tell them that it's a smoking shack.  Lots of smokers in the military.

[Mark Sarsfield]

Small update.  The USSVI vet that I have been talking to said that the display that they have at the Point Loma base are two 5" sub guns and a torpedo.  He liked the idea of swapping a 3" gun for a 5" gun to give their display more variety.  I think that we're getting the better deal.  In the end, we'll just be paying for the shipping costs, which won't be cheap for a 7-ton gun... plus, crating.  They can pay for the 3" gun to be shipped to them - or however it works out.

Anyway, he knows the base CO, base CMC (CoB), and the SUBVETS WWII president and he's very interested in pushing this idea to these gentlemen.  I detected some real enthusiasm from him in the last email.  So, cross your fingers.

[MWALLEN]

He liked the idea of swapping a 3" gun for a 5" gun

I like it too.  As for the caboose, Rick told me a while ago that it was soon to be removed from the park.

[Lance Dean]

Sounds like both parties will benefit and all it'll take is money.

Is there a mount for the 5" gun?

[Rick]

keep talking,  Get me some idea as to how much the shipping would be.  We can start workingo on logistics.  The caboose has already been promised to the Music hall of fame.  This move was made by Orvile Eatons family (he got the thing here in the first place).  We will get a large brass plaque on the side of it for everyone that comes by to see.  

I am also working on getting an 8 ft guitar in the deal.   This sounds stupid, but there is a method to my madness.    

[Mark Sarsfield]

I'll ask Chris from the Torsk what the estimated crating and shipping would be for something of this magnitude. 

[Mark Sarsfield]

Is there a mount for the 5" gun?

I started a thread in the museum sub-forum regarding this.  I think that Tom from the Drum was going to take some photos of their mount for us.  We also might have the shipyard plans for this item, as well, since it's a basic structure.

[Mark Sarsfield]

I started talking to Chris from the Torsk and I need to take pictures of our gun so that he can determine whether we need to crate it or not - he doesn't think we do, but he wants to make sure. It will save some money if we can just ship the guns with a tarp covering on a flat bed or step deck. 

Which 3" gun are we willing to part company with?  As a sign of good gesture, we should send them the better of the two.

Also, we need to start thinking about a crane for these items.  My guess is that the 3" gun is around 3 tons and Paul said that the 5" gun is about 7 tons. 

Finally, I'm 99.9% sure that the 3" guns are de-milled, which means that he won't need a special escort for the truck for an active weapon.

[Lance Dean]

....Finally, I'm 99.9% sure that the 3" guns are de-milled, which means that he won't need a special escort for the truck for an active weapon.

Scenes from Smokey and the Bandit just flashed through my mind...   

[MWALLEN]

Which 3" gun are we willing to part company with?  As a sign of good gesture, we should send them the better of the two.

I agree...but why don't we send them photo's of both and let them decide which on they want...this will take care of any potential problems later if they pick.

[Rick]

have we already told them that we have 2?

I am a greed cuss and will be inclined to keep the pick of the litter for my museum....