Time 07.00: although the morning is very humid and cold (for July IN CALIFORNIA), the channel that separates us from the naval base is patrolled by Coast Guard

This… ehm, ehm… is only a ferryboat of early tourists!

Please note the height of the flight deck, where I am now, from the pier

… where is the ferryboat now? Maybe it sank it?

Time 11.00: yes, you read it well! After “only” 4 hours from expected, the access to the military base is opened to let the crane exit with the first of the three airplanes … luckily it is not so cold now!

Theoretically the operation to carry ALL the airplanes had to start at 07.00 AM and finish at 11.30 AM... maybe the Italians are managing the time?

The airplane is this!!!

The crane is approaching ... I'm still on the flight deck... see the final part of one of the two catapults

Now I’m on the pier because they sent us to keep people away during the operation of carrying… my friends with green shirt and hat are volunteers of Restoration Team… all of us don’t take any money!

Only one is shown because… ehm!.. the others are talking with me!

This is an A4 Skyhawk: “little”, for the lovers of Tom Cruise, this is the jet of captain “Viper” in the movie “Top Gun”

Finally, after ONLY 6 hours, the “gate” is opened again… it is funny to see that, to “save” time, they decide now to bring two of them in one trip!!! Now it is very hot!

One of them is “dingle dangle”!!!

… but “slowly slowly” they arrive!

Also the F18 “Hornet” is beginning to be part of our little air fleet!

…some thrills because the Hornet begins to spin a little…

… but everything is going well!

Finally it is time to carry what all of us were expecting…

… the big Vigilante!

… or better, the RA-5C Vigilante…

… it is big, isn’t it?

…but really nice!

… during reconnaissance, the photo operator had to sit here. I hope he didn’t have any problems of claustrophobia!!!

… I think that this guy could make a lot of money like car park attendant!!!

When everything is done and the stress is over, I want a picture with my boss… but I have a really big tummy… and I already lost some weight walking in this huge boat!!!

… and when I’m going to my car, what I find? A live organized aboard a military boat that approached today close to us.Don’t you believe it is military? Look next slide…

Ta..daaah!

… but I’m so tired to be impressed… I can’t wait to go to sleep!!!

Did you like the slides? I hope so! A big CIAO from Roberto