If you are visiting Pearl Harbor, keep in mind that only a certain number of tickets are handed out each day, some of which are reservable and some of which are available for walk-ins, but they usually fill to maximum capacity, so it’s best to either reserve in advance or arrive early in the day to secure a tour. The superior performance of wheeled aircraft and the desire to employ them at sea led to the decision to convert a collier to the U.S. Navy’s first aircraft carrier, Langley, which was placed in commission in March 1922. Texas was among the battlewagons chosen to serve as a platform experimenting with launching surplus World War I airplanes, among them the Sopwith Camel, to evaluate the performance of wheeled aircraft in comparison with seaplanes to perform long-range spotting and other operations in support of a fleet engagement.
The second hangar, Hangar 79, showcases the “MiG Alley Korean War Exhibit.” Also on site are combat flight simulators that allow you to try your hand taking off from a runway and landing on an aircraft carrier. Aircraft range from those in pristine condition to those that still show the destruction caused during the war. Also in the collection is the Kaiton, a World War II Japanese suicide manned torpedo.
Many photographs and other memorabilia illustrate life aboard a submarine, both on friendly patrols and in wartime situations. You can wander around the ship at will or climb the command tower and gain a 360-degree view of Pearl Harbor through a periscope. The Bowfin is known for having sunk a total of 44 Japanese ships and was one of the most sophisticated submarines produced by the US during World War II. Volunteers stationed in the various compartments explain how all the equipment and polished brass was used.
This association also maintains the park as a memorial to the 52 U.S. submarines and their crew, sunk during the war. Two Pearl harbor tours are offered daily: one is a basic tour on the decks with information on the history of the ship, the other is a more extensive tour that goes into the engine room and explores the inner workings of the vessel. The ship was brought to Pearl Harbor in 1998.