Aircraft Carriers

[dy031101]

Recently I came across a book claiming that before the Kiev class ship Admiral Gorshkov was retired from the Soviet Navy, prototypes of the (old) MiG-29K and the Su-33 were trialled on the ship until the Tbilisi a.k.a. Admiral Kuznetsov became available.

Hum...... I'm interested as to how the aircraft operate onboard and how the ship was modified without being converted into a full-blown dedicated aircraft carrier?

Was the Gorshkov indeed used to test the MiG-29K?

If so, does anyone have any picture of the ship during the trial?

[GTX]

I thought the trials were down on a fake, land based deck initially - I find it difficult to believe a Kiev class ship was used in any way.

Regards,

Greg

[Just call me Ray]

The "runway" on an unmodified Kiev may be long enough for touch-and-go's at least.

I heard of this story before, but I heard it was well after the Kutznestov was available and was part of the trials of converting the Gorshkov into a full carrier.

[GTX]

Something different I just stumbled across - a Skyhook equipped submarine aircraft carrier:



Regards,

Greg

[KJ_Lesnick]

Why not just build a 1/32 scale model of the USS Enterprise

Sure it would be like 35 feet long, but you could not only put all your scale models on it you can hold the claim to world's biggest warship scale model 


KJ Lesnick

[dy031101]

Something different I just stumbled across - a Skyhook equipped submarine aircraft carrier:

I was thinking...... compared to frigate-sized vessels, maybe a SSBN-based design can offer enough hanger room to make the Skyhook worthwhile?

[NARSES2]

The "Skyhook" proposal has always fascinated me, but I can't help having a picture in my minds eye of a Harrier being picked up by it and breaking free with a fit of the giggles because it tickles 

I'll go and get my hat and join Rad on the naughty stair 

[PR19_Kit]

Greg,

Interesting proposal that, I've never seen it before. Where did you find it?

Looking at that sketch the SHARs would need folding wings to get down into the 'hangar', but what would hold the tips off the deck then? The tip gear would have to be outside the wing fold. Interesting engineering problem......

[Amphion]

Isn't the hangar in the area between the skyhook cranes/ridges? Looks to me as an opening in the aft end of the superstructure, hangar door is open and a cradle outside ready to recieve.

[GTX]

Greg,

Interesting proposal that, I've never seen it before. Where did you find it?

This book:



Regards,

Greg

[PR19_Kit]

Greg,

Fascinating, I really must get that one, thanks.

[Later] GULP! Perhaps not, Amazon's cheapest 2nd-hand one is £75.00! And there are some from the US that are WAY above £100.00!

Amphion,

Yes, I agree, but it still looks pretty darn narrow to get a full width SHAR in there.

After writing my last I've been pondering on SHARS with inboard mounted 'outriggers' but I'm not sure how the tyres would have liked their proximity to the exhaust ducts.

[Mossie]

Great find!  Any more pics or info on that Skyhook sub Greg?

[Joe C-P]

I wonder if India could have picked up the Ukraine? It would have taken India years to get her in shape, but even simply completing her, with basic electronics for navigation and communication, would have been a great improvement over an adapted Gorshkov.

And maybe the USN would sell an older supercarrier. India is one of the few countries with sufficient technologically trained personnel to man a full-up CV.

[Thorvic]

I think it was beacuse the other kuznetsov was in the Ukraine, so even if India bought it Russia would then embargo its own trade agreements with India in protest (when it was touted). The Gorshkov deal is turning into a rather expensive white elephant but i suspect its purpose is to act as training carrier for operations on the new build carriers.

one of the USN supercarriers would have been nice for India, and no doubt Boeing would love to sell them Superbugs, but they have been well used and it highly unlikely they could afford to design and build a replacement of equal capacity. I also doubt the US state department and USN would support a move to put a supercarrier into third party hands in the Indian Ocean which would upset the balance of power in the region.

G

[Just call me Ray]

http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Super_Hornets_For_India_With_A_Carrier_On_The_Side_999.html