Touring The USS Saratoga Sister Ship and Ending Up In The Center of the World Felicity 550 Porsche

‪@MerlinsOldSchoolGarage‬ and ‪@Yuccabillybrad‬ take another adventure to get a Kitman Motors Car Kit! They aren't used to the weather elements outside of Havasu and end up in a bad storm on the way. Merlin and Brad stop to sight see throughout their trip and visit some very special places that some of you may not have ever even heard of, you don't want to miss this!
For merchandise visit merlinsoldschoolgarage.com/
Thank you for watching!

[@WreckOfLamb]

Thank you to everyone who has served and is currently serving. Thank you, Merlin, for sharing a family story.

[@Bigdaddyslasher]

The greatest generation will never be forgotten!!

[@michaelgarrison4599]

That is the problem though. As timr passes they are slowly being forgotton

[@blackbuttecruizr]

Your love for your Grandfather is quite evident.

[@logancrow9979]

I’m an Eagle Scout now but when I was in cub scouts, I got to spend a night on the Midway and some of the original crew (a lot of the employees actually served on this ship) cooked us a meal in the galley. Truly the greatest generation. god bless you and yours Merlin ❤

[@MerlinsOldSchoolGarage]

that is awsome 🇺🇸

[@shwilliedude973]

i got to go to Vandenberg AFB as a boy scout for a weekend. we road all over the base in those blue school buses. they had a launch pad under construction for the shuttles but never launched one there because after untold amounts of money spent they decided it would shake the cliffs off into the ocean. we go to stay in the barracks and eat all we wanted at the mess haul. good time had by all

[@WreckOfLamb]

My Scout troop did Charleston, SC - Fort Sumter & the naval yard. Great memories!

[@johnguilfoyle3073]

@@shwilliedude973 In South Carolina, our Scout Troop spent a night on the USS Yorktown at Patriot's Point in Charleston.

[@LEScott-yd5wm]

You are bringing back some good memories. I served on the USS Midway 1977-1979. Thanks!

[@bigjay6743]

Merlin lives the life he has his hands in a little bit of everything. Enjoy all the different kinds of videos.

[@billdayton6240]

Dog-gone it Merlin, like one old captain told us, "It's a ship, the boat is what you take when the SHIP is sinking."

[@malalexander3515]

Thanks Merlin and Brad. Great segment on Midway. Australian Navy veteran here. Worked on S2E/G Grumman Trackers. Full respect to all Veterans.

[@vinniebuiltRC]

Thank you, Merlin.That is the ship my father served on when he was in the navy many years ago

[@kevinching1975]

Thank you Merlin for showing us around we just don't realise how massive these ships are We thank all the sailors for their service and sacrifice.

[@waltbury]

Merlin, your Grandfather and my dad were both born in 1925. My dad was a first class gunner mate (GM1) in the Navy during WW2. He served on LST in the Mediterranean

[@paulnapoli7325]

My dad also born 1925 , the stories omg , he said the bomb saved his life , and mine too

[@chevyguy2008mb]

You’re good man Merlin , thanks for sharing the story about your Grandfather. I’m sure he’s proud of you . Another great video 👍🇺🇸

[@merlepatterson]

When I was in the Navy, a curious little 'factoid' one noticed was that everyone's farts smelled the same because everyone had the same diet. So you could never know who it was. Brings back memories looking at all the equipment I used to work on as you went on your tour of the Midway.

[@johnnyquest9358]

It's amazing how Patriotism has changed in the last 80 years. I've seen Felicity from I-8 hauling produce back to Chicago. Definitely looks like a worthwhile stop.

[@lorenmeyer5290]

What an AWESOME ride along Brad an Merlin! Always Love watching and listening to you guy's!

[@katreniaclark]

Thank You Merlin for sharing your emotions and memories. I forgot if you served or not. Thank You Brad for your service.

[@jimasman550]

I'm retired Navy Chief with 21 years of service...this brings back so many memories and I spent over eight years of my career onboard different ships. Thanks for sharing!

[@brettnipps7205]

I had 3 great uncles that served in the Europe campaign. 1 with Pattons tank brigade. My grandfather's eyesight prevented him from enlisting. All 3 uncles returned from the war.

[@theburtseoni]

Thank you Merlin for taking us down an oft forgotten memory lane! "Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it!" Let's hope we remember those lessons from the past!

[@joecook8352]

I enjoyed hearing about your Grandfather, the greatest generation for sure! My Mother and Father were that generation as well and my Father fought in Germany in WW2, he pulled knocked out tanks off the battlefield behind enemy lines and brought them back to repair, I didn’t get to hear his stories he died driving a semi when I was 5, I’m glad you honor your Grandfather

[@dalerose1694]

My dad lied about his age he was also 16. He went in the Army in 43 liberating death camps by the time he was 17 it took a while for them to find out. He lied about his age. They took six months of good time off of the service. I put a total of 22 + years and 3 wars. He also is a great American hero like your grandfather.

[@johnhart125]

My friends dad served on a carrier from 42 til 54, don't know name but was in ww2 an Korea before becoming math teacher at our high school. He had very interesting stories about many ports of call during war yrs Great tour and awesome start to new project.

[@user-uo9cy2ep2h]

Sounds like a war monger to me

[@dalerose1694]

@@user-uo9cy2ep2h you probably still live in your mommy and daddy‘s basement

[@jeffclark2725]

Thumbs up great video and family history, thanks for bringing us along and sharing your stories

[@dannyhartline2648]

The greatest generation … why we can take a deep breath and yell and scream and cheer on Friday nights for our grand kids and gr grands enjoying freedom on the football, track, court, baseball, or hiking trail. Bless ‘em all!

[@robertr4193]

Man my knees would have been screaming at me having to go up and down all the stairs in that aircraft carrier. Thanks for bringing us along with you during your tour.

[@goldenwheeledbanshee9160]

My dad joined the Army at 17, like u're pawpaw he's a true hero 2. Men like them made usa the greatest nation on earth. Thanks for the tour and sharing this Merlin.

[@trygvehaglund6519]

Thank you Merlin for honoring your grandfather's service in this video. Anchors Aweigh! If you want to see REALLY close quarters, go to the maritime museum in Manitowoc, Wisconsin and tour the WWII submarine Cobia.

[@brianpalmer2946]

Thanks for your grandfathers memory… And for rekindling my memories of the USS Midway… I was stationed on her in the early 80’s…

[@donanything6816]

Well, that was fun. Thanks for taking us along.

[@Baumann4.0]

My son is on the USS ESSEX.. GOD BLESS AMERICA!!! and all are brave men and women..

[@midminnesotamotorheads267]

Thank you for sharing your Grandpa's story, the greatest generation it couldn't ever happen again, America land of the free because of the brave

[@atpgarageatl]

Sounds like a fun project is coming soon! Looking forward to seeing what you do with the kit. Thanks for taking us along for the journey!

[@brucepaxton2471]

Back in 1983 I was at the Pomona Swap Meet where I met Paul Beck. He was displaying his 550 Spyder replica for the first time. He was impressed that I knew what I was looking at right off. I was fortunate enough to have seen the real deal (2 cars that year) lapping Laguna Seca at the inaugural Monterrey Historic Races 9 years earlier. This should be another fun project for Merlin.

[@seanmiller140]

So grateful to your grandfather, (and the many men like him) Their courage and selfless devotion to protect our country, and way of life, will have us in their debt forever. And the women that ran the country in their absence. That was a generation like no other. 🙏🏼♥️

[@jaredpeterson2202]

Merlin, we're Smith cousins through our mothers. I'm in Snowflake Arizona. My Dad, Theo Peterson joined the Navy just as soon as they'd take him in early '42. He served through the summer of '46 in San Diego as an aircraft mechanic. That generation was the best!

[@rpmurphey1981]

Thank you for sharing the Midway. My dad was stationed there. When i was watching this, it was like walking in the footsteps my dad took. Thank you.

[@papatomsthoughts]

Thank you to all who have, or are currently, served. These aircraft carriers are small cities with upwards of over 5000 people on board. Very impressive. 😊😊😊😊😊

[@HoosierPete69.]

I know how you feel Merlin, my grandfather fought in Germany during WW2, he would never say much about it except it was terrible war and he lost a lot of good friends over there. I sure miss spending the summers with him.

[@walterhuggins1506]

Thank you Merlin USS MIDWAY CVA 41 went aboard her in 1964 my first deployment to the south China sea,really appreciate seeing her again,brought back some good memories .

[@robanderson960]

I love and miss the Midway, I was in the Marines and got to work on f-4s like the one on the Midway! Thank you for the video, it was good to see The Midway and San Diego again

[@julieshafto5484]

I echo what @WreckOfLamb said - Thank you for all those who have served and are currently serving. Merlin, thank you so much for sharing!!

[@jonathanfreedom1st]

My Grandfather served in USN enlisted in 1942 served 3 Invasions as well as D-Day. Was commended receiving Naval Citation for limping Torpedoed ship back to Port and tending to the wounded..Men were made of Grit and determination back then. The Heroism followed. They still denied being heros till their ripe old ages. Silent Generation was the greatest generation for a reason.

[@glmfaa1276]

Thanks for your grandfathers service, The Saratoga he was on was a straight deck wooden planked deck. The Midway was originally a straight deck but converted to an angle deck that needed a counterweight so the starboard side was filled with cement ballast causing to be very susceptible to whims of the ocean. I had a high school classmate make an emergency landing on the Midway, survived to tell about it. greg

[@billtaylor177]

Those men were true heroes. Thanks for sharing his story.

[@kevinbode6483]

We took my Dad to Manhattan to tour the Intrepid, it was one of the 4 he served on during his 14 years in the Navy and the only one still in existence. The youngest to serve in WW2 was 12 years old and when he was found out he was stripped of his metal's and put in the brig.

[@robinredman5192]

In the mid 80's I was part of the Submarine Force and there were times when my Senior Chief, who was 6"2', would come back to the radio room with the top of his bald head bleeding from quickly going through the watertight doors during a drill and not ducking his head far enough down. I am vertically challenged so I never had any problems in that way. Thank you for sharing your family stories and thanks for the vidjas. John here, from the back-roads of Northeastern Tennessee.

[@dougosepchook6667]

Merlin, loved this video! Thank you to your grandfather for his service. Thank you for taking the time to film this! Also....can't wait to see the build.

[@1lilfarm]

The USS New Jersey is currently in drydock at the Navy Yard in Philly. I took a tour yesterday under the ship. It was amazing to see first hand the entire bottom of the ship and hear the stories of it. Great story about your Granddad!!! Felicity looks really cool too!!! 👍👍👍

[@jaywebb3105]

Thank you Merlin for sharing your story with us.

[@stnkyp8]

Another great Merlin adventure…thanks for taking us along.!! Also, please show us as much detail on your Spyder build as possible. Can’t wait…

[@BuildwithMooney]

Thanks for sharing your story about your Grandfather Merlin! My Grandpa served in the Army Air Corps, GREAT MEMORIES!

[@Pushy8366]

Merlin hats off to your grandfather and to everyone that has served and to the ones serving today god bless and thank you

[@paulmaigler289]

The USS Saratoga sat mothballed for years in the bay 4 miles from my house for years. The community here tried to do what they could to save it and turn it into a museum but they towed it out of here quite a few years ago. Thank you to all who served and continue to serve today!!!!

[@Col-Hogan]

Enjoyed the Grandpa story. We don’t build young men like we used to. Looking forward to seeing the new build! Thanks for taking us along for the tour!

[@jasonh4167]

Merlin........thank you for sharing your story...I truly felt it. Thank you for your grandfathers service.🇺🇸

[@user-kv7jj6gt4f]

Thanks for Watch'en..., Yer certainly welcome Merlin... Another great MOSG educational & interesting episode. Say'en "Thanks" from Germany for show'en us around...😉

[@CynSan]

Hella trip you two had !! Thanks for taking us along !! San Diego is where I was born and raised. My dad worked civil service for the Navy at North Island for 36 years. I had wanted to go on the Midway for years and finally got the chance almost 10 years ago when we went to Calif. for a wedding. It's amazing!! I remember going on the Kitty Hawk once when I was a youngster when it was at North Island.

[@AlanNBailey]

Another video of the Center of the World would be great with Merlin and Brad!

[@charlesalden9167]

Love my Sunday mornings with MOSG. FLASHBACKS thanks i was in the Marines on two ships short 2 weeks both times. We were limited places to go chow hall , our sleeping quarters, top deck , & loading area . Loading area was for us to load up in amtrak & depart the ship & back on ship. Hated amtraks ! We wore our helmets on ship because it on took twice hitting our head going through those port holes.

[@matthewmeade5550]

Took the kids on a tour of Felicity years ago and according to the guide, it's called the center of the world because of a book The Good Dragon at the Center of the World. From what I remember they said the authors and illustrators had never been to the area before writing the book and were from France. On their travels they passed Felicity and the mountains looked exactly like the cover of their book so they stopped and it started from there. Also that spiral staircase as you drove up is an original piece of the Eiffel Tower after being taken out during renovations.

[@davehollingsworth3007]

Merlin.....When it comes to family history you wear your heart on your sleave. That's what is so special about you. My dad Harold went from the farm in South Amherst Ohio to Normandy Beach first wave on D-Day. Mom enlisted in the Women's Arm Air Corp and was stationed at Wright AFB. My Father in-law Ken Mellen was in the 8th Army Air Corp on a 24 as a 50 cal waist gunner. I'm building a WWII Gpw in honor of them. Dad came home with wounds all over his body. Mom met him after the war and were married in 46. She nursed his wounds and his demons. Reminds me of the song "GI Joes and Lilly" by the Oakridge boys.....

[@MerlinsOldSchoolGarage]

❤️🇺🇸😊🔧

[@Tat2TankT]

I appreciate your grandfather’s heroic sacrifice for our freedom sir great video as always thanks for sharing

[@ShellbackUSN]

I love the story of your grandfather and your patriotism. I was an Airwing sailor on the Enterprise, Carl Vinson and Abraham Lincoln. My mom was born in 1929 and told us stories she remembered as a kid from WWII. She was so proud when I enlisted in the Navy. We sailed with both the Midway and Saratoga at different times and I distinctly remember relieving the Midway in the Strait of Hormuz during Desert Storm. My last trip aboard the Midway was overwhelming, to say the least. Thanks for the awesome video!

[@380.motorsports]

I had the opportunity to tour the USS Lexington in Corpus Christi, Texas and it was just awesome to see real and up close. Nothing they could not do or fix on those floating cities. Truly amazing.

[@jarrodberends5199]

My uncle don served on the uss kennedy , & my uncle dean served on the uss eisenhower . I think I’ve heard them stories your talking about . Great times , Big respect ! I salute your grandad !

[@donlum9128]

Awesome tour. My dad born 1920 did radio comunication training in Florida. Took military train to Fresno, CA. Unit trained at Wawona in Yosemite for a few months then took military train to San Diego. Troop transport ship took him to China. He was in Luichow China when Japan was blasted into submission. He passed year & half ago at 102 yrs. RIP DAD

[@froggycellis007]

Thak you for sharing this trip and that emotional story. They truly were the greatest generation.

[@jodyhoughton7341]

I thank you for sharing, and your family's service. I'm a hospice nurse, by far my favorite patients are my WWII patients, the stories I have heard. There will never be another generation as great as they are. It hurts there's not many left. I wish my grandson could hear those stories.❤

[@williamtaylor1888]

OMG, don't let one of the sailors hear you call that aircraft carrier a boat. They will have a fit. It is a ship and a submarine is called a boat. Great video. I was stationed in San Diego at the sub base (Point Loma) from 1984-1988. Thanks for taking us along.

[@tomgretiredelectrician1162]

Thanks for the memories, I spent my enlistment on the USS Oriskany CVA34 during the Viet Nam era, 1966 to 1970. Made two full tours and a part of another . Similiar ships. First cruise in engineering, ships generators and all other 440 volt electrical, and last cruise in A & O, Aviation and Ordinance where I was in charge of the ships elevators etc. Lots of memories. Heck of a way for a young person to grow up and learn responsibility.

[@ChuckBruton]

Big old BOAT… 😊 Most old time sailors would say, “Son that’s SHIP , not Boat “ ! Enjoyed the video !

[@javoss123]

Hi Merlon. So glad that you stopped by Felicity. I’ve driven by there dozens of times, and always assumed that it was some kind of cult compound. Turns out that the proprietor wanted to preserve all of Mankind’s history that would last 15,000 years, for future generations. I think that he succeeded.

[@gregcullen248]

Morning everyone

[@addesigncntr2708]

Hey Merlin - great video. That S-3 displayed on the flight deck is from VS-41, my squadron when I was in the Navy. It's the one with the shamrock on the tail. My brother-in-law served on the Midway for 4 years when it was home-ported in Japan. That was the late 80's. The Midway was proud of the fact that it spent more time at sea than any of our other carriers. Was tough duty for my sister raising 3 kids while he was gone. But that's a Navy wife for ya.

[@tedvandell]

Great stories. Brought back a lot of memories. I've got a screaming eagle on my arm from the day I finished Marine Corps non-commissioned officer school.

[@johnguilfoyle3073]

It is definitely a trip down memory lane, The 1945 Midway got a new deck in 1957 and another even larger deck in 1970 along with many more upgrades along the way until her decommissioning in April 1992.

[@henryg683]

My best friends Dad was a machinist on one of those ships and was proud of it but didn’t want to tell us many stories but he could make anything!!

[@genehasenbuhler2594]

My father served on the USS BUCHANAN during the Vietnam War! The Navy scuttled it in 2016! Ten yrs after my father passed away!

[@aaronmcconnell7358]

I'm the proud grandson of sgt William Allen carey us army ww2 5th infantry division. I never got to many stories except a few funny tales, but I do know he went from Normandy to Germany.

[@bradleymadosh911]

My Grandpa went to School in Haskell and when he decided to go home he jumped the trains from there and was going back to upper Michigan Baraga and on his way home he came threw the Menominee Indian Reservation in Wisconsin and the train stopped at the Lumber mill Mte and he jumped off to find work. He ended up meeting my Grandmother here and started the big Family. It was so cool to listen to him telle.all about it. I miss him so much 😭

[@catmanrescue1]

I swore in 77 when i was 17 , ended up on the USS RANGER CV-61. ive seen midway in action in the Indian ocean during Iranian Crisis.Thx for sharing ... , brought back memories.... I was in VQ-1 ,, VA-145

[@rshutterbug47]

The Center Of The World Is WAY AWESOME & Way More It See !!!

[@crbrepairmotorcycles6608]

That's awesome Merlin thanks for taking us along ❤

[@darylnelson3026]

The USS Saratoga (CV-3} One of three US prewar fleet aircraft carries to sever thought World War II . She started life is a Battlecruiser but launched as a aircraft carrier. She seen a lot of action .She won 8 battle stars .Your Grandfather was part of the greatest generation. I have a uncle who fought in the Canadian Army. Who was killed oversea just over a month after D-Day . World war two ended 79 years ago. And there are not very many veteran that served in that war left in the world. I seen some were the we are losing them at a rate of 250 a day. Thank for your stories about your grandfather.

[@chuckfowler8875]

The Saratoga was based out of Mayport here in Jacksonville Florida for a good amount of my life when I was a kid..

[@manueltrevizo4060]

That was my first ship.i rode it from Yokosuka, Japan to San Diego where I decommissioned it.USS MIDWAY (CV-41)GO NAVY!!

[@jameslynn2357]

Merlin, Awesome hearing about your Grandfather. I do know what it's like to live on a Carrier. For me 94-98. My Grandfather was a medic WW2 European Theatre. My Dad was in the Navy and my Son is right now. Love the vids. I'll watch anything you'd do. I think we'd get along just fine. Keep up the good work and thank you for doing it for us!

[@user-rb9mu6uv8o]

Boy does that bring back memories. Served aboard the RS Edwards DD-950 and we were one of the Midways escorts during our 1980 West Pac. I had to go over to the Midway because I broke a tooth so they picked me up by helicopter and flew me over to the Midway. I was there overnight so I got to see quite a bit, including flight ops. The chief Boiler Tech was trying to get me to stay onboard because they were short on BT's and that was the rate I was in. One of the other guys that was there with the chief said I probably didn't know how to run a stick shift (manual controls) because the Edwards was a 1200 psi Boiler system and had automatic boiler controls, I just laughed and said we all learn on manual controls and 600 psi Boiler systems and you don't forget how to run them. At that time I was a first class BT.

[@drobousmc]

Thanks for sharing your story about your grandpa and his Navy service.

[@darlene4232]

Thanks for letting us tag along

[@marks1582]

They were all brave individuals. Thanks to your grandfather and all the grandfathers, fathers, sons and daughters that left to defend the country and the world against the evil that exists

[@mudman98TJLocked]

Thanks for sharing your grandfathers story.

[@tff847]

Rain X is your friend! Thanks for all you guys do!!!!!.......................

[@MRobichaud99]

Thank you for sharing the story about your Grandpa. I think the greatest generation will never be forgotten, and those stories should be told to anyone who will listen. On another note, my Grandma's maiden name was Frost! I have a second cousin who lives out in California. Who knows, we might be related! Good video!

[@kennethsmith6470]

You hit those bulkheads and you'll ring your bell...😂

[@alkennedy1124]

If you put rain X on your windshield will help get rid of🎉the need to have a wipers ,,thanks BigAl California.❤the channel.

[@toddmccarter45]

Man, I really never know what your videos are gonna be about, but I'm never dissapointed!

[@jerrybailey8072]

Thank you for sharing. My father was aboard the USS Randolph 1954 to 1957 .

[@dennisrich6577]

Stories like your grandfather, make a Really Big impression on me.!! Men like him are why I stand for the Flag 💪 We owe that to them ALL 🙏🏻

[@s7courier]

Way to go Merlin, another interesting build. You are still the man.

[@noonehere1793]

My old ship, the USS Kitty Hawk has been almost completely destroyed by the scrap men….what a bunch of aviation adventures i had oh her…😢 this will be a fun video series for sure!👍👍

[@BETTERTOMARROW]

USS Saratoga CV-60 Was my ship ,82-84 V1 flight deck.

[@TheOldaz1]

A great tour and lots of history, now want to see the Porche go together.