G-FAN #145 Arrives

Above, the cover of G-FAN #145.

Today, I headed down to the Flying J to check my mailbox at the post office.

A welcome item was in the mailbox: G-FAN #145.

After returning home, I took a preliminary look-see of the issue's contents. Included was my article on the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I had completely forgotten that I submitted it back in July, for it was a busy summer with trips to Fort Sumner, G-FEST, the Bahamas, Colorado, Iowa and Utah. 

Unless J. D. Lees changes his mind ("Is there something wrong with the one I have?" - Captain Spock in Star Trek IV) it looks like issue number 150 will be the last G-FAN. He mentions that he's been producing the magazine for around 30 years. I sometimes have a hard time grasping 30 years, often thinking 1970s instead of the 1990s. I think he's done his bit for king and country by producing G-FAN for 30 years. 

Interestingly, not too many fans were impressed with Legendary's Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, but loved Toho's Godzilla Minus One. Although both movies were entertaining, Godzilla Minus One is a far superior movie in my opinion.

Since we're to get some more snow this coming weekend, at least I have something to read while taking refuge indoors.

New Mexico City A Top Nuclear War Target

Above, a replica of the Trinity Atomic Bomb at the National Museum
of Nuclear Science & History in Albuquerque. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It's a good thing that the city of Albuquerque, New Mexico is 120 miles from where I live. 

Not that I have anything against Albuquerque (except the liberal voters there), mind you, but it is listed as one of the top targets during a nuclear war.

At least that's according to an article posted in the Piñon Post.

They begin it with:

In the midst of global tensions and the specter of nuclear conflict, a recent analysis has pinpointed Albuquerque, New Mexico, as the 11th most vulnerable city in the United States in the event of a nuclear attack. The report, conducted by 24/7 Wall Street using research from experts, sheds light on potential high-priority targets and the associated risks faced by various American cities.

The study, which amalgamates research from Dr. Irwin Redlener and Stephen Schwartz, considered factors such as population density, distance to strategic military facilities, emergency preparedness, and ease of evacuation. The results position Albuquerque among cities where significant casualties and injuries are anticipated in the unfortunate event of a nuclear strike.

To read more, go here. 

The "Trinity" Atomic Bomb Test

 

Above, a replica of the Trinity test atomic bomb dubbed "The Gadget" at the National
Museum of Nuclear Science & History in Albuquerque. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Atomic Bomb Commemorations

Above, a replica of "Fat Man" at the National Museum of Nuclear
 Science & History in Albuquerque. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This month marks the 78th anniversary of the 1945 atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan that ended World War II.

Commemorations will be taking place at several locations that are tied to the Manhattan Project.

According to an article in RV Travel:

Manhattan Project National Historical Park, in partnership with Pearl Harbor National Memorial, will host “Days of Peace and Remembrance” across its three sites to commemorate and reflect on the 78th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Japan in 1945.

The commemorative programming acknowledges and interprets the conflicting viewpoints, both historical and modern, that surround the development and use of the world’s first atomic weapons. These events provide an opportunity to reflect on the historical and emotional traumas of the atomic bombings. Messages of Peace programs will be held at each of the park sites over the next two weeks. Following is a schedule of events.

To read more, go here. 

Sail From Submarine USS Albuquerque To Be Displayed

The sail from the USS Albuquerque is to be displayed in its namesake city.

The decommissioned submarine's sail will be installed at a location in the coming months.

From the U.S. Naval Institute's Facebook page:

A plan has been developed to bring the sail and fairwater planes of the decommissioned Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Albuquerque (SSN-706) to the sub's namesake city. The sail will be installed as a monument at a site to be selected in the coming months.

 

Albuquerque already has a submarine sail on display. The sail from the USS James K. Polk is on display at the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History.

Above, the sail from SSBN-645 USS James K. Polk. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

RV Camping: 5 Things To Do In Albuquerque

Above, yours truly with a model of "Fat Man", the Nagasaki atomic
 bomb at the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History.

Every so often, I have to go into Albuquerque, New Mexico to take care of business, so the following caught my attention. I have to go there next month.

Do I Yourself RV posted an article on five things to do while RV camping in Albuquerque. Of the five, I have done two of them: Albuquerque Old Town and the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History.

There are plenty of RV parks in and around Albuquerque. I have stayed at three of them at one time or another. 

The article begins with:

RV camping is one of the best ways to explore a new city, giving you the freedom to roam and ability to park when you find something exciting. Throughout your journey, you can find incredible bucket-list sights to see and events to attend.

The city of Albuquerque, New Mexico is one of the cultural centers of the southwest, with plenty of area campgrounds and attractions for all ages and interests. Here are the top five things to do while RV camping near Albuquerque.

To read more, go here. 

Nagasaki Marks 75th Anniversary of Atomic Bombing

Above, the monument that marks ground zero of the atomic bomb in Nagasaki. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Tomorrow marks the 75th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, Japan and the city is memorializing the event that led to the end of World War II.

Japan Today reported:

TOKYO - The city of Nagasaki in southern Japan marks the 75th anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing on Sunday. 

It was the second nuclear bomb dropped by the U.S. three days after the attack on Hiroshima. Japan surrendered on Aug. 15, ending World War II and nearly a half-century aggression against its Asian neighbors. 

Dwindling survivors, whose average age exceeds 83, increasingly worry about passing their lessons on to younger generations. 

WHAT HAPPENED IN THE ATTACK? 

Nagasaki's sky was also hazy, but visibility briefly cleared. At 11:02 a.m., the Bockscar dropped a 4.5-ton plutonium bomb dubbed “Fat Man” from 31,500 feet (9,600 meters). About 30 seconds later, the bomb exploded at 1,640 feet (500 meters) above a tennis court, hitting the mostly civilian district. Under the mushroom cloud that rose as high as 52,500 feet (16,000 meters), the blast destroyed about 70% of the city. Seconds later, the temperature at ground zero rose to 4,000 degrees Celsius (7,200 degrees Fahrenheit). All wooden houses within one kilometer of ground zero were destroyed by the blast and firestorm. About 20 minutes later, “black rain” of highly radioactive particles started falling onto the city, causing additional radiation exposure.

Above, a replica of "Fat Man" atomic bomb at the National Museum of Nuclear
 Science & History in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here. 

"The Atomic Cafe" Revisited

Above, a replica of the first atomic bomb, unofficially called "The Gadget". Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While waiting for Hibachi One to open (as I got there over an hour before it opened), I relaxed and watched The Atomic Cafe on YouTube to kill time.

Since I visited The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History earlier in the day, it appeared appropriate to revisit the tongue-in-cheek documentary of atomic and hydrogen bombs.

In case one hasn't ever viewed The Atomic Cafe, here it is:

Back Home

After a relaxing couple of days in Albuquerque and getting to see The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History and pick up a few things at Ron Peterson Firearms, I made it back home in Jamestown, just in time to listen to El Rushbo.

The drive was nice and I made one stop at Sky City Casino to pick up something to eat so I could take my meds.

I made it home around 9:35.

The Beast is safely back inside the GOCO Beast Barn.

While in Casa Blanca, New Mexico I shot this view on Interstate 40:

1956 Atomic Energy Commission Jeep

Inside The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History is a gift shop with many different items for visitors to part their cash for. I bought a couple of shot glasses. One features "Little Boy" and the other "Fat Man".

In the center of the store is a 1956 Atomic Energy Commission Jeep that was found in a military base building. Since I recently bought a 1952 Willys Jeep, this Jeep caught my attention.

Here's a couple of photos of the Jeep:

The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History - Outside

Above, a B-52 Stratofortress. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This blog post will take a look at some of the outdoor exhibits of The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The displays consisted of aircraft and missiles as well as some ground vehicles dating back to World War II and the Cold War.

The biggest exhibits for me consisted of B-52, B-47 and B-29 bombers. There were also jet fighters (a Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 was having its skin worked on). There was also the sail (conning tower) of the SSBN-645 James K. Polk.

More photos:

Above, a Boeing B-29 Superfortress. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a Boeing B-52 Stratofortress. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the sail of the SSBN-645 James K. Polk. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a B-47 Stratojet. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a row of different missiles. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, details on the Boeing B-29 Superfortress. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, another view of the Boeing B-29 Superfortress. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, an F-16 Fighting Falcon. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, an A-7 Corsair. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 getting refurbished. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the Trinity tower replica. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For exhibits inside the museum, go here.

The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History - Inside

Above, yours truly with a model of "Fat Man", the Nagasaki atomic bomb for a size perspective.

After getting a haircut at Supercuts in Albuquerque, I headed off to The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History.

Above, The Beast with a Redstone rocket in the background. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The museum covers all aspects of nuclear weaponry as well as peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

One of the first things I noticed when pulling up to the museum was a Redstone rocket standing at the parking lot entrance and, in the museum's yard, aircraft and a replica Trinity test tower. The two most interesting (to me) of the aircraft on display were a B-52 bomber and a B-29 Superfortress bomber.

Above, the front of the museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In this blog post, I am concentrating on displays inside the museum. The outdoor displays will be covered in another blog post.

The first gallery was on the pioneers of the atom. This was followed by World War II, critical assembly, Manhattan Project, temporary exhibit (the exhibit during my visit was on the B-52), Trinity & its legacy, "Fat Man" and "Little Boy", Hiroshima & Nagasaki, Cold War, Heritage Park, nuclear medicine, radiation, Nano, atomic culture, Little Albert's Lab (children's area), Whats Up With You, nuclear waste transportation, energy encounter, and uranium cycle.

The museum was established in 1969 and its current home was opened in 2009. It is a Smithsonian affiliate and is the only national museum in the state of New Mexico.

More photos:

Above, Heritage Park from the visitor parking lot. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, part of the critical assembly gallery. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, B-52 fuselage art, part of the temporary exhibit. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, "Little Boy" (Hiroshima) and " Fat Man" (Nagasaki). Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a V.I.P. stretch military limousine. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the flag that flew at Trinity during the atomic test. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the first atomic bomb, "The Gadget", of the Trinity test in New Mexico. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a recovered Nagasaki license plate and a photo of a child's tricycle. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a familiar sign during the days of the Cold War. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a collection of Cold War era missiles. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, atomic/nuclear-oriented movie posters. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, model train car toys of the nuclear age. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, an electrostatic x-ray influence machine. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For displays outside, go here.

"Godzilla vs. Mothra" Screening At Albuquerque's National Nuclear Museum

One of the things I wanted to do today while in Albuquerque (and after a haircut) was to visit The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History. I had recently heard about it and thought it would be an interesting place to see.

As I walked into the main lobby of the museum, I noticed a sign featuring the Japanese poster for the 1992 Godzilla vs. Mothra movie. As it turns out, there will be a special screening of the movie on November 1 It will be an outdoor screening.

As many Godzilla fans know, the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan were a couple of inspirations for the creation of the Godzilla character. With that in mind, I think the 1954 Godzilla or 1995's Godzilla vs Destroyah would have been better choices.

If one happens to be in or near Albuquerque, it would be well worth their time to see the movie at the museum.

National Museum of Nuclear Science & History

One of the things I plan on doing tomorrow is to pay a visit to the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History.

When I went to their website to see what their hours and admission prices are, the image (above) of a certain Japanese reptile appeared.

The museum is located in Albuquerque.

To visit their website, go here.