Hornet Team Visits Tulare Early in April 2009 a team of volunteers from the USS Hornet CV-12 Museum paid a visit to Tulare at Suisun Bay, Benicia, CA. The Hornet team was looking for equipment and parts for use in the historical restoration of CV-12. Items needed for Hornet   include 3"-50 Caliber gun mounts. The Hornet group is currently engaged in the official process to transfer two of Tulare's twin 3"-50 mounts to Hornet. We hope to get photos of the removal and transfer process.
USS Tulare Webmaster, May 2009

About the Gun Transfer From what I have been told by Tom he wants to try to get two guns. The first already has the mounting bolts removed. Now we first need to find out exactly how much the gun weighs. Then we have to contact Bremerton to get their permission. Someone from there has to come down and sign off on it and tell us what needs to be done to de-mill the gun as it is 100% intact. After we remove the gun we need for the MARAD guys to take a torch and remove the mounting ring. A semi would then bring it to the Hornet where things could get interesting since I didn't ask. The ring will be welded in place... on the port side forward. The ship is docked on the starboard side so I have no idea how the gun gets to the other side given the weight. Whatever or however it is done it would be mounted after the ring is installed. The same would go for the port side aft mount of the other gun with the cut barrels. Maybe June, maybe July or maybe August, 2009 as it is involved.
Mike McDermott
USS Hornet Museum