Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The Fletcher-class destroyers are easily recognized as possibly THE most versatile and effective destroyer design of World War II. Later designs like the Sumner and Gearing class tin cans literally built off the Fletcher hull blueprints and expanded from there with lessons learned and technological improvements. But did you know that the Navy experimented with adding aircraft to the Fletchers?
Team KIDD travelled to Mobile, Alabama, to visit with colleagues aboard battleship USS ALABAMA (BB-60) to examine a rare piece of equipment for insight into an even rarer piece of Fletcher-class history.
This is Part 1 of a two-part series. Part 2 ("Battleship Bird on a Tin Can") can be found on the Battleship ALABAMA's YouTube channel at: @USSALABAMA60.
CLICK HERE FOR PART 2: youtube.com/watch?v=evP-gRUl3oQ
Click here to donate to the USS KIDD: usskidd.com/support-our-mission
The USS KIDD Veterans Museum is a non-funded state agency that receives no regular state or federal funding. We appreciate your support!
Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/usskidd661 For USS KIDD merch: usskidd.com/museum-store
Check out our other social media: https://linktr.ee/usskidd661
Click here to donate to Battleship Memorial Park & USS ALABAMA: store.ussalabama.com/Donations.aspx
Battleship Memorial Park is ALSO a non-funded state agency that receives no regular state or federal funding and need and appreciate your support as well.
The Fletcher-class destroyers are easily recognized as possibly THE most versatile and effective destroyer design of World War II. Later designs like the Sumner and Gearing class tin cans literally built off the Fletcher hull blueprints and expanded from there with lessons learned and technological improvements. But did you know that the Navy experimented with adding aircraft to the Fletchers?
Team KIDD travelled to Mobile, Alabama, to visit with colleagues aboard battleship USS ALABAMA (BB-60) to examine a rare piece of equipment for insight into an even rarer piece of Fletcher-class history.
This is Part 1 of a two-part series. Part 2 ("Battleship Bird on a Tin Can") can be found on the Battleship ALABAMA's YouTube channel at: @USSALABAMA60.
CLICK HERE FOR PART 2: youtube.com/watch?v=evP-gRUl3oQ
Click here to donate to the USS KIDD: usskidd.com/support-our-mission
The USS KIDD Veterans Museum is a non-funded state agency that receives no regular state or federal funding. We appreciate your support!
Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/usskidd661 For USS KIDD merch: usskidd.com/museum-store
Check out our other social media: https://linktr.ee/usskidd661
Click here to donate to Battleship Memorial Park & USS ALABAMA: store.ussalabama.com/Donations.aspx
Battleship Memorial Park is ALSO a non-funded state agency that receives no regular state or federal funding and need and appreciate your support as well.
