The USS Midway Museum is located in downtown San Diego, California and is one of the most popular naval ship museums in the United States. The museum opened in 2004 and hosts over 1 million visitors per year. It is home to the USS Midway aircraft carrier, which was commissioned from 1945 to 1992 and saw action in Vietnam and Operation Desert Storm. There is so much history and interesting facts to discover at the USS Midway Museum. Riddles are a fun way to engage critical thinking skills and learn more about this fascinating naval ship museum. Below are 81 riddles covering various topics related to the USS Midway Museum with the answers provided. Let’s exercise our minds and learn more about this incredible floating naval aviation museum!
Riddles about the USS Midway ship
Q: What was the nickname given to the USS Midway aircraft carrier?
A: The USS Midway was nicknamed “The Fighting Lady” during its long career from 1945 to 1992.
Q: How long was the USS Midway aircraft carrier when it was first commissioned?
A: When first commissioned in 1945, the USS Midway aircraft carrier was 1,001 feet long, far longer than the Wright brother’s first flight.
Q: What was unique about the design of the USS Midway that allowed it to carry so many aircraft?
A: The USS Midway utilized an open hangar deck design allowing it to carry up to 130 aircraft on board. Previous carriers stored aircraft on the flight deck.
Q: How many decks tall was the USS Midway aircraft carrier?
A: The USS Midway had 18 total decks standing over 25 stories tall from the keel to the top of the bridge.
Q: What was the top speed of the USS Midway aircraft carrier?
A: The USS Midway could travel at over 30 knots or 35 miles per hour under full power.
Q: What happened to the original name planned for the USS Midway aircraft carrier?
A: Originally the USS Midway was going to be named the USS Coral Sea, but was renamed after the Battle of Midway in 1942.
Q: How many sailors could the USS Midway accommodate when fully manned?
A: Over 4,500 sailors could be housed aboard the USS Midway when it was fully manned during active service.
Q: How many aircraft could the USS Midway carry at maximum capacity?
A: When filled to capacity, the USS Midway could carry up to 200 aircraft aboard the massive carrier.
Q: What was unique about the angle of the flight deck on the USS Midway?
A: The flight deck was angled at 10 degrees off centerline to allow for simultaneous launch and recovery operations.
Q: What nickname was given to the highly dangerous take-off position at the bow of the USS Midway?
A: The extreme bow position became known as the “round down” or “leaping off the ramp” take-off position.
Riddles about the USS Midway as a museum
Q: What year was the USS Midway decommissioned and turned into a museum ship?
A: The USS Midway was decommissioned in 1992 after 47 years of service and opened as a museum in 2004.
Q: How many visitors come to the USS Midway Museum each year?
A: Over 1 million visitors come aboard the USS Midway Museum each year in San Diego.
Q: What can visitors explore at the USS Midway Museum?
A: Visitors can explore the bridge, galley, officers quarters, pilot ready rooms, engine room and hangar deck with aircraft on display.
Q: How many aircraft are on display at the USS Midway Museum?
A: There are over 29 restored aircraft on display aboard the USS Midway Museum.
Q: What type of planes make up the aircraft collection on the USS Midway?
A: Navy fighters, attack planes, patrol planes, helicopters and commercial jets are part of the aircraft collection.
Q: Which deck was the pilot ready room located on the USS Midway?
A: The pilot ready rooms where pilots prepared for missions was located on the 02 level deck.
Q: What was the name of the pilot ready room for the famous VF-161 Chargers squadron?
A: The VF-161 Chargers pilot ready room was called the “Hollywood Homecoming” room.
Q: Which president’s presidential helicopter is on display on the flight deck?
A: Marine One, President George H.W. Bush’s presidential helicopter is on display.
Q: What model of plane was the X-47B unmanned combat air vehicle on display?
A: The X-47B on display was an early generation unmanned stealth fighter model.
Q: How long is the audio tour that guides visitors through the USS Midway Museum?
A: The audio tour is approximately 2 hours long to guide visitors through all the exhibits.
Riddles about the USS Midway’s service history
Q: How many years was the USS Midway in active service as an aircraft carrier?
A: The USS Midway was in active service for 47 years from 1945 to 1992, the longest of any carrier.
Q: Which war did the USS Midway actively serve and deploy aircraft during?
A: The USS Midway played a key role in the Vietnam War launching aircraft strikes.
Q: What was the name of the NASA recovery mission the USS Midway supported?
A: The USS Midway took part in Operation Frequent Wind recovering helicopters from Saigon.
Q: During the Gulf War, what percentage of bomb tonnage did the USS Midway launch against Iraqi forces?
A: During Operation Desert Storm, the USS Midway launched over 30% of bomb tonnage against Iraq.
Q: How many days straight was the USS Midway actively launching strikes during Desert Storm?
A: For 47 days straight, the USS Midway launched aircraft strikes against Iraqi targets.
Q: What was unique about the USS Midway’s service on the final day of Desert Storm?
A: On the last day of Desert Storm, the USS Midway launched the final Navy air strike of the war.
Q: Which port in Thailand did the USS Midway deploy out of during Vietnam War missions?
A: The USS Midway conducted launch operations out of Yankee Station off the coast of Thailand.
Q: What type ofcommunication system allowed the USS Midway to stay at sea during Vietnam deployments?
A: The USS Midway had an advanced communications system that allowed it to stay on station off Vietnam.
Q: During which decade did the USS Midway launch the largest aircraft in Navy history?
A: In the 1970s, the USS Midway operated the mammoth C-5 Galaxy cargo planes.
Q: How many total aircraft launch operations occurred on the USS Midway?
A: An amazing 225,000 aircraft launches happened on the USS Midway during its 47 years of service.
Riddles about key features and technology on the USS Midway
Q: What was the call sign used to communicate with the USS Midway?
A: The USS Midway’s call sign was “Bravo November”, using the phonetic alphabet.
Q: What advanced technology allowed the USS Midway to land aircraft via autopilot?
A: The Mirror Landing Aid system allowed pilots to make completely automated landings.
Q: What radar and missile system was installed on the USS Midway for protection?
A: The Phalanx Close-In Weapons System provided the USS Midway defense against missiles.
Q: Which jet engine powered the USS Midway to speeds over 30 knots?
A: The USS Midway was propelled by powerful Westinghouse geared steam turbines.
Q: What communication breakthrough allowed data exchanges while submerged?
A: The USS Midway used the first submarine satellite communications system while underwater.
Q: At what temperature did the boilers on the USS Midway operate to generate steam power?
A: The USS Midway’s boilers operated at up to 1,200 psi and 850°F to power the ship.
Q: How many gallons of fuel could the USS Midway hold for its aircraft at maximum capacity?
A: Over 2.2 million gallons of jet fuel could be stored on the USS Midway for its airwing.
Q: What was the length of the angled flight decks on the USS Midway in feet?
A: The angled flight decks stretched 546 feet long to allow for simultaneous take-off and landings.
Q: How many tons of food were stored in the commissary aboard the USS Midway?
A: At peak capacity over 80 tons of food was stored aboard to feed the 4,500 sailors.
Q: What gun batteries provided defensive firepower on the USS Midway?
A: The USS Midway was equipped with eight 127mm rapid firing gun turrets for ship defense.
Riddles about life aboard the USS Midway aircraft carrier
Q: What tight spaces did young sailors train and live in aboard the USS Midway?
A: As messengers and lookouts, young sailors lived and trained in cramped 40mm gun tubs.
Q: What risks did aircraft crews face when the USS Midway lost all electrical power?
A: Aircraft crews had to refuel and rearm jets in total darkness during blackouts aboard the ship.
Q: What nickname was given to tiny sleeping quarters where sailors bunked on the USS Midway?
A: The extremely cramped berthing spaces were referred to by sailors as “coffin lockers”.
Q: Where did sailors have to carefully climb down steep ladders to move about below deck?
A: Sailors climbed down narrow knee knocker ladders between the lower decks of the ship.
Q: During rough seas, how were sailor’s meals served in the galley of the USS Midway?
A: Meals during heavy seas were served in the galley already placed in compartment trays.
Q: What common health issue resulted from the close quarters aboard the USS Midway?
A: Illnesses like the cold and flu spread quickly through the crew in the confined spaces.
Q: Where on the ship could sailors take brief breaks from their duties and write letters home?
A: Sailors would escape to “Mississippi decks” near the smoke funnels for quick breaks.
Q: What tactic did sailors use to find privacy for phone calls to loved ones while aboard?
A: Phone calls home were made under the ruse of equipment inspections to gain fleeting privacy.
Q: Which sport teams did sailors follow and cheer for during the USS Midway’s long service?
A: Sailors passionately followed and debated local sports teams from their hometowns.
Trivia riddles about the USS Midway Museum
Q: What naval battle in 1942 does the USS Midway Museum’s logo commemorate?
A: The logo features the Battle of Midway Island that took place between June 4-7, 1942.
Q: What type of fish stand guard at the front entry way to the USS Midway Museum?
A: Sculptures of bulldog fish can be found flanking the entry way of the museum.
Q: Which television shows filmed episodes aboard the USS Midway Museum?
A: Top Gear, The Amazing Race, and Hart of Dixie all filmed onboard the floating museum.
Q: What naval ship was scheduled to replace the USS Midway before the end of the Cold War?
A: The nuclear powered USS United States was set to replace the USS Midway but was cancelled.
Q: Which iconic San Diego tourist destination can be seen from the USS Midway Museum?
A: Views of the beautiful Hotel Del Coronado can be seen from aboard the flight deck.
Q: What naval ship sometimes docks next to the USS Midway as an additional museum?
A: The USS Dolphin research submarine is docked next to the Midway as added attraction.
Q: Which celebrity famous for Top Gun visited the USS Midway Museum in 2019?
A: Tom Cruise toured the USS Midway in 2019 while filming Top Gun: Maverick in San Diego.
Q: How many pounds of ordnance could the USS Midway aircraft drop during one mission cycle?
A: During Vietnam missions, over 500,000 lbs of bombs could be dropped in one cycle.
Q: What nickname was the US Navy Submarine Service given in homage to the USS Midway?
A: The submarine service adopted the nickname “Silent Service” in homage to the USS Midway.
Q: How many total miles did the USS Midway steam during its 47 years in service?
A: An incredible 1,321,000 miles were logged on the steam turbines of the USS Midway.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed these 81 riddles covering a wide range of topics related to the incredible USS Midway Museum in San Diego. From the Midway’s specifications as an engineering marvel to its proud history of service and role as a naval aviation museum, there are so many fascinating facts to uncover. Riddles encourage us to think critically, make connections and gain insight. The USS Midway is an amazing ship full of stories and surprises to explore. Next time you visit this unparalleled floating museum, see what new discoveries you can make aboard the “Fighting Lady”!
