PAMILMUSEUM

Fall 2008 - Building the foundation for the mounts for two BB-38 guns.  Glenn O. Hawbaker, Inc. - contractor.

 

Building forms for the mounts.

 

Supports upon which the guns will rest.

 Finishing the mounts.

November 2008 - Two 14 inch projectiles arrive at the museum.

 

April 2009 - Preparation begins on the temporary supports that will be used while the guns go through preservation.

 

Building the temporary supports.

 

 Final steps on the temporary supports for the two 66 ton guns.

 

 May 19, 2009 - Dave Rhoades, Project Coordinator for the Friends of Pa. Military Museum, discusses the lift at Dahlgren, Va.

Preparing the first lift.  W.O. Grubb. - lift contractor. 

 

Placing the gun on the trailer.

The convoy ready to leave for Boalsburg.  Daily Express, Inc. - transportation contractor.

 

May 20, 2009 - The guns arrive at Boalsburg.

 

Unloading the first gun.  Bryce Saylor & Sons, Inc. - lift contractor. 

 

 The first gun nearing its temporary support.

 The second gun is lifted into place.

All old paint, tar, and other materials had to be removed by hand scraping.

Terry McGrory Painting - scraping and painting contractor.

The guns during sandblasting and scraping.

  

 The tar used on a portion of the gun while in storage at Dahlgren has been scraped off.

 Sandblasting in progress.  Truax Restoration - sandblasting contractor.

 

First cast, then trued on a lathe, the lathe marks (rings) are still visible.

  

 

Priming the first gun.  The primer used is Pratt & Lambert, Steeltech, Epoxy Mastic.

Priming continues. 

 

One gun with the first of two primer coats and the other ready.  Each coat uses two gallons of primer.

 

Final cleaning of the breeches.

 Applying the first coat of paint.  The left gun has the first coat, the right is half finished.

 

 Preparing the first gun for lifting onto the mount.  Both guns needed to be rolled into the proper orientation.

The first gun during its lift.   (It was raining!)

Securing the tie-downs on the first gun.

 

 The second gun nearly in place.

Securing the tie-downs on the second gun.

Preparing the temporary resting areas for primer & paint, and repairing areas stressed from the lift.

Data plate from the breech of the port gun just before primer was applied.

Data plate from the breech of the starboard gun.

Tampions installed and restoration work for 2009 completed.  The guns are ready for their dedication.

 

 Silver service from the USS Pennsylvania.  On display during the dedication ceremony.   The ceremony was held indoors due to inclement weather.

Barbara Franco, Executive Director, PHMC speaking during the dedication ceremony. 

Joseph Horn, RDML USN, speaking during the ceremony.

 

 David Rhoades, Project Coordinator for the Friends of the PMM, receiving recognition for his leadership.