Graphics Show Difference Between World's Three Types of Aircraft Carriers

[cdrsubron7]

Interesting Article and informing.

http://www.businessinsider.com/these...ahoo?r=UK&IR=T

[Jimbuna]

Most interesting. I never realised there were so many variants out there.

I've moved this topic to a more appropriate area.

[Dallsim]

I highly enjoyed reading this article. Especially seeing the different model types and which countries they belonged to. I was a little sad that the video shown was so short! I could have watched an hour footage if available for such a large aircraft carrier.

I actually hoped there existed simulators for consoles or PC but was told no such games exist for the moment.

Also, being a fan of Top Gun (don't laugh!), I researched the aircraft carrier that was in Top Gun, the USS Enterprise, learning that it was the "longest naval vessel ever built". 342m (Enterprise) vs its successor USS Gerald R. Ford at 337m

Anyone here been on either one?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Enterprise_(CVN-65)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Gerald_R._Ford

[CaptBones]

I was Assistant Chief of Staff (N4) of Battle Group 'Foxtrot' Commander's staff (COMCRUDESGRU 3) in ENTERPRISE in '88 and on her "Around the World Cruise" with LONG BEACH (CGN-9) in '89-'90. We were there when filming for scenes in "The Hunt for Red October" was done in June '89.

Also served in CONSTELLATION, INDEPENDENCE and MIDWAY before that. I've got my own "videos" from each of those deployments, some 8mm films and quite a few hours of VHS tapes. I suppose I should dig them out and get them converted to DVD or something. My favorite is an hour of footage I shot during PACEX '89 from the Flag Bridge on ENTERPRISE, including the MISSOURI and NEW JERSEY steaming in column "Passing in Review" and unleashing "broadsides" during a firepower demo. The winds were very light and after a couple of rounds from each turret of both ships, the cordite smoke was hanging in the air around them as they steamed downwind from the carriers and all you could see was their upper works above the smoke and the flashes of subsequent rounds being fired. The broadsides were a continuous ripple firing from both battleships and I imagined it was probably quite like the scene on the "Windy Corner" at Jutland.

In my civilian career after retiring from active duty, I was VP of Engineering at Fairbanks Morse Engine and responsible for designing and building the Emergency Diesel Generators for the propulsion plant in FORD. I was sad to see the old ENTERPRISE decommissioned, but happy that the third ship in the FORD Class will be a new ENTERPRISE (CVN-80).

[Dallsim]

Originally Posted by CaptBones

I was Assistant Chief of Staff (N4) of Battle Group 'Foxtrot' Commander's staff (COMCRUDESGRU 3) in ENTERPRISE in '88 and on her "Around the World Cruise" with LONG BEACH (CGN-9) in '89-'90. We were there when filming for scenes in "The Hunt for Red October" was done in June '89.

Wow, impressive. I have only seen this film as a child and did not really understand what was happening. I am watching this film on Blu-ray later this week together with Das Boot. Any other submarine films I should be on the lookout for?

Originally Posted by CaptBones

I've got my own "videos" from each of those deployments, some 8mm films and quite a few hours of VHS tapes. I suppose I should dig them out and get them converted to DVD or something.

I suppose it will take a while to get those converted but those will certainly be total gems for outsiders like me!

Originally Posted by CaptBones

In my civilian career after retiring from active duty, I was VP of Engineering at Fairbanks Morse Engine and responsible for designing and building the Emergency Diesel Generators for the propulsion plant in FORD. I was sad to see the old ENTERPRISE decommissioned, but happy that the third ship in the FORD Class will be a new ENTERPRISE (CVN-80).

This is seriously impressive. So your legacy lives on and is transferred to the new Enterprise (CVN-80) through your design and building of the emergency diesel generator? Your family and the rest of America will continue to be proud of your excellent contributions and efforts

Originally Posted by Mr Quatro

We don't laugh at airdale lovers

Sorry, but what are airdale lovers? I only know of the dog breed, haha.

[CaptBones]

First...in the USN, an airdale is a Naval Aviator...originally officers who earned their "Wings of Gold", but nowadays it seems to be applied (in an affectionate and respectful manner!) to any aviation type, officer or enlisted.

Submarine films...too many for me to even try to list them all. Even though it's not my primary source for accurate information, Wikipedia has a very extensive list of submarine movies. I'm not a movie critic, but I am critical of movies about the Navy...

The newer sub flicks, such as "Das Boot", "...Red October", "Crimson Tide", "K-19: The Widowmaker", "U-571" are usually very good in the sets and scenes and reasonably good for technical accuracy (considering the need to provide audiences with excessive drama and over-the-top special effects).

The older ones, such as "Run Silent, Run Deep", "Up Periscope", "The Enemy Below", and "Destination Tokyo" are often lacking in accurate sets and scenes (the almost laughable depictions of the sea floor always give me a chuckle!) and are sometimes very poor in technical accuracy. But they still have the drama and as much exciting special effects a was possible in the era they were made (not as ridiculously overblown as the digital special effects and CGI graphics used in movies today).

CVN-80...one of the little "factoids" that was talked about during the design development stage of the EDG sets for the "FORD" Class, was that we were tasked to provide a 50-year design life and a 50-year service life. Which means that the equipment was to be in production for the next 50 years (starting in 2008) and the last of the ships would be in service for 50 years after that...my great-great grandchildren could still be operating "my" machines in those ships (my younger son was a nuc submariner, is a LCDR currently at NATO HQ in London...I don't know if his son will follow in our footsteps or not, we'll have to wait and see).

BTW...you might find it interesting that the "ENTERPRISE" (CVN-80) will be the first of the new class to have a completely new hull design; the first two ships of the class ("FORD" and "JOHN F KENNEDY") are being built on the same hull design as the "NIMITZ" Class. That created some problems to squeeze our four 4mW generator sets into the same two spaces as the four 2mW generator sets in the "NIMITZ" Class...hopefully there'll be some "elbow room" in the new hull design.

Thanks again for your kind words...

[Osmium Steele]

Closest I've been since back in the day when you walk directly to the ship and request a tour.

Eisenhower on the left. George Washington on the right. Norfolk Naval Base, Norfolk, Virginia.

[Mr Quatro]

Originally Posted by Dallsim

Also, being a fan of Top Gun (don't laugh!), I researched the aircraft carrier that was in Top Gun, the USS Enterprise, learning that it was the "longest naval vessel ever built". 342m (Enterprise) vs its successor USS Gerald R. Ford at 337m

Anyone here been on either one?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Enterprise_(CVN-65)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Gerald_R._Ford

We don't laugh at airdale lovers

seriously the USS Gerald R. Ford is a PCU (pre commissioning unit) she hasn't gone into service yet, but she will be the first and the best of her class, but probably not till early next year.

and @CaptBones I bet you have some great sea stories as for the battleship firing broadsides ... I heard that in WW II the cost of firing one shell from her 16" guns was like firing a Cadillac. I don't know what a Cadillac cost back then, but sounds like a lot, uh?