Posted by Tina
I saw another great action adventure film yesterday and knew I had to tell you about it. This movie has everything we patriots want in a movie: a terrific story, action, humor, incredible characters created terrifically by the actors, and a love story to keep your date happy. I won’t tell you much about it, the trailer at the link below will suffice. I will tell you there is a special hat tip that will warm your hearts and bring a patriotic tear.
Peter Berg of Hancock fame produced and directed this film based on the game board by Hasbro that bears the same name. It stars Taylor Kitsch, Alexander Skarsgard, Rihanna, Brooklyn Decker, and Liam Neison with a fine supporting cast that includes actual US Navy sailors who bring their experience to the movie in professional style. Go Navy!
If you haven’t seen it already, and you love this type of movie, go see…Battleship!
I know this is really short notice, but the USS Iowa is leaving San Francisco Bay tomorrow and headed (being towed) to Los Angles.
http://www.pacificbattleship.com/page/updates
Hey thanks for the link RHT447!
From the page:
Wish the old Iowa was staying San Francisco, but then again the people of SF didn’t want the USS Enterprise and II doubt they want the Iowa, even decommissioned, such is the patriotism this city is infamous for. Thanks for the heads up RHT. -Jack
Jack, it was my pleasure.
Here is a bit of scale for those unfamiliar. The Nine main guns of the Iowa each have a bore diameter of 16 inches and are 66 feet long. The armor piercing rounds weigh 2700lbs, have a muzzle velocity of 2700 ft./sec., and a range of 24 miles. Flight time at that distance is about 90 seconds. The aiming process must take into account (among other things) the rotation of the earth. That is about the same as firing your average Toyota from the Chico mall and calling your shot on the building of your choice in Oroville.
RHT, thanks for that visual! That was very impressive.
As I recall the first fire control computers were mechanical (no transistors or circuit boards) they took up enough space to fill your average bedroom. It was pretty impressive to see one of these early computers at work with all the clacking noises and electric motors whirring away ( I saw one in a museum in Japan). With so many moving parts it’s amazing it all worked. But, they did… and they were pretty accurate. Imagine firing at a moving target, you’re going one speed, say 25 knots, and he’s moving at another, lets say 28 knots, and he’s across the horizon. You’ve got the air temperature to factor in because this creates the air density which can add or reduce bullet drag, then there’s the rotation of the earth like you said, then you’ve got your time aloft formula which looks like this in printed form… y(f) = v(i) x sin() t – (0.5) g x t^2 , where g = 9.8 meters / sec^2, then you got to determine your arc and maximum height of the trajectory…it’s all just an amazing thing to see happening and under battle conditions. A battleship was one incredible blend of the best science of the day, nautical engineering and incredible firepower.
I’ve only been on one battle ship and then I could only go on the main deck, however I sure would like a tour of the inside some day. Wonder when the Iowa will be open to the public?
Thanks Tina, you may have just talked us into seeing this movie today. Perfect timing! lol
Grand Opening for the Iowa July 7th in San Pedro
The movie was really, really good…I was hopeful it was and I was not disappointed.
Glad to hear you enjoyed the movie, Jack.
I was surprised to learn today that it didn’t do that well at the box office. I personally can’t fault the movie…could it be the economy? It wouldn’t surprise me; box office sales have been sinking steadily for some time with a few blockbuster exceptions.
Speaking of movies… I’m not going to see the Avengers because they only offer it in 3-D and I won’t pay $9.50 to see a movie I can see on TV in 6 months. At $6.50 for seniors they are right at my personal buy – don’t buy point.
That’s too bad, Jack. I agree 3-D is not worth the price. We saw it at the $6.50 price when it first opened…good movie. 3-D must be popular with the kids..and all of the adults have already seen it in 2-D?