R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services (R. Baker & Son), a global dismantlement, rigging, decommissioning and building demolition contractor, recently completed several rigging projects consisting of the moving of prized military aircraft at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum in New York City. These tasks were part of an overall massive restoration project undertaken by the museum.
   Built in 1943, the USS Intrepid and her crew have a distinguished history of service including tours of duty in both World War II and Vietnam. She also served as NASA prime recovery vessel before being retired in 1974. In 1982 the USS Intrepid began her second career as the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.
   As part of the museum’s on going restoration and renovation undertaking, R. Baker & Son was contracted to perform the rigging and relocation of several aircraft which had been restored. Careful planning, including critical lift plans for each pick, and coordination were necessary to make sure that each pick was done safely and without damage to the priceless items. 
   One of the aircraft hoisted aboard the carrier was an F-11 Tiger which is also a former Blue Angel No. 5 from 1961-1963. Another aircraft rigged up onto the carrier was the museum’s newly acquired MiG-17 which was painted in North Vietnamese markings. This plane has historical significance as an Intrepid aircraft shot one of these down during the Vietnam War. The final aircraft to be lifted onboard was the museum’s MiG-15 which is painted in a North Korean era from the 1950-1952 war. Airplanes like the Intrepid’s F3D Skyknight shot these down during night time intercepts.
   These items were rigged down using a 120-ton hydraulic crane, spreader bar, associated rigging gear and a 4-5 man rigging crew. The rigging crew was headed by Ken Paszkewicz, Sr. project manager for R. Baker & Son’s.  Mr. Paszkewicz, is a Vietnam War Veteran having served two tours of duty from 69’-71’ on the aircraft carrier USS Hancock CVA19.
  In addition to the aircraft, R. Baker & Son was tasked with rigging two (2) 17,000-pound generators up onto the flight deck. The generators were rigged using the same equipment and crews as utilized for the aircraft.
   R. Baker & Son was also tasked with mounting the USS Intrepid’s propeller onto a steel display frame. The propeller is solid brass, weighs 28,000-pound and is 15-feet 6-inches from blade tip to blade tip. Utilizing various rigging equipment, the rigging crew lifted the propeller from a horizontal position into a vertical position. Because the propeller was located in the bay of the carrier, there was very little headroom and the crews only had only about 6-inches of clearance once the propeller was stood straight up. Once in a vertical position, the propeller was held in place via chain blocks while a 3,800-pound shaft was inserted. Once the shaft was in place, the assembly was then carefully landed onto the steel display frame. The entire frame and propeller assembly then needed to be moved approximately 150-feet to its final location. In order to accomplish this, the epoxy floor first had to be protected with hardboard.  Following protection of the floor, R. Baker & Son’s expert rigging crews utilized several 15-ton Teflon skates along with the 5,000-pound forklift to carefully move the assembly to its final location. The project was extremely successful with no injuries and no damage to any of the military aircraft or equipment.
   As a disabled veteran owned company, R. Baker & Son is proud to have been a part in the over two year restoration and renovation of the Intrepid. The Intrepid Museum Complex now boasts new exhibits, interactive elements, newly opened areas of the ship and a completely restored aircraft collection, all alongside the former USS Growler submarine and British Airways Concorde. Her home at Pier 86, open to the public, has also been completely renovated and now features a welcoming, park-like atmosphere.
   R. Baker & Son All Industrial Services is the premier specialized contractor for dismantlement, decommissioning, plant relocations and demolition in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. The Veteran owned company has been in business since 1935, has over 100 employees, an exemplary safety record (4 VPP OSHA safety awards) and is financially strong (bonding over $10 Million). Capabilities include total plant and facility dismantlement, decommissioning and demolition as well as entire plant relocations and re-installation, heavy equipment rigging, machinery moving and millwright services and onsite concrete crushing.
   The new Intrepid Museum is a unique journey filled with spectacular interactive exhibits and virtual, multi-sensory technology. The Intrepid Museum is a dynamic adventure for visitors of all ages and offers group packages, member benefits, birthday parties, special event packages and educational programs. Located at 12th Avenue and 46th Street, Intrepid is easy to get to by mass transit, car or water taxi. Intrepid is open every day except Mondays through March 31 then daily through Sept. 30. For more information please visit www.intrepidmuseum.org.