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Cape Canaveral FL: Visit Space Center Launch Pads


According to a USAToday report, the Kennedy Space Center has expanded its visitor program. To allow visitors to get a more detailed understanding of the facility, NASA will give close-up views of launch pads and other areas. Most have been the sites of highly-secret operations for the past half-century.  

One tour feature is to Launch Pad 39-A, famed for the lift-off site of the six Apollo missions to the moon and other space flights. At Launch Pad 39-B, visitors will see where similar missions originated, including shuttles, Saturn and Skylab operations.

Tickets for the NASA launch pad tours are $25 for adults and $19 for children 3-11. There is also a fee of $45 for entering the Kennedy Space Center. For more information, go to kennedyspacecenter.com
London, England: Tourists Had To Duck Out Of DUKW PDF Print E-mail

For those of us who served in World War II, a recent incident with a DUKW brings back memories. A boatload of people had to jump into the Thames River after an engine of one of the vintage vehicles caught fire. Fortunately, there was no danger and, although wet, no one was hurt.

Several tourist transportation companies in England and elsewhere offer recreational DUKW rides in the military amphibian vehicles. The attraction is that the excursion takes customers on highways, city streets and into rivers on the same tour. Despite the recent problem in London, the DUKW safety record is at least as good as any bus or river craft.

DUKW was introduced in 1942 as a GMC utility vehicle with front-wheel drive and two powered rear axles. Some historians have insisted the letters formed an acronym, but are incorrect. However, because of the letters, the land/water troop carrier has been fondly called a duck for the past 71 years.

During WWII and the Korean War, thousands of DUKWs were used in invasions and river crossings by American GIs and Marines, as well as British, Canadian, Australian and Russian troops.

For more information, go to www.londonducktours.co.uk

 
 
 
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