Aircraft Carriers

[roughneck06]

CVV drawings-

[roughneck06]

CVV artist's concept-

[dragon]

I too have been kicking the idea around in my mind of whiffing a Carrier. I need to improve my ship building technique before I do build one.  However I have gelled a couple ideas (just not how to carry them out):

STEALTH Nuclear Carriers: (named for relatively obscure US Presidents)
USS Millard Fillmore
USS James K. Polk
USS William Henry Harrisson
USS William Tyler

"Scandal" Class Nuclear Carriers: (unofficially named as such by US Navy types)
USS Richard Milhouse Nixon (ship's nickname:"Tricky Dick")
USS William Jefferson Clinton  (ship's nickname: "Slick Willie")
USS Herbert Hoover
USS Calvin Coolidge

[anthonyp]

Got any designs out on the net that inspired these classes?

[dragon]

Got any designs out on the net that inspired these classes?

For the STEALTH I was thinking of using the JAG Collective model, or maybe modifying a Nimitz into a STEALTH Carrier.  I am still trying to figure out what happens in between the current Nimitz class and the STEALTH (CV-X?) for the "Scandal" Class.

Again, stuff that still has to stew some more in my brain pan....

[proditor]

The JAG model is a gorgeous piece of work.  I'm planning on actually tackling mine this summer, only some 5-6 years after buying it.   

[Thorvic]

Got any designs out on the net that inspired these classes?

For the STEALTH I was thinking of using the JAG Collective model, or maybe modifying a Nimitz into a STEALTH Carrier.  I am still trying to figure out what happens in between the current Nimitz class and the STEALTH (CV-X?) for the "Scandal" Class.

Again, stuff that still has to stew some more in my brain pan....

In what terms stealth features or hull form ?, as this would dictate how to approach the design concept.

One way would be to back date the Jag Stealth carrier design to a standard flight deck level so a clean sharp hull, but with sponsons supporting the large flightdeck and similar stealthy Island.

Or Clean up the CVX-21 design being used for the new CVN with stealthy faceted sponsons that encompass the deck edge walkways and the self defence systems. Go with a stealthier faceted Island structure with the radar mast replaced by the stealth mast used on the radford spruance class destroyer or possibly more of a DDX/LCS Pyramid structure with encased radar or fixed array radar.

[roughneck06]

 @ 1950 the USA sold 2 Brooklyn class CLs at bargain prices to Argentina, Brazil and Chile. What if during the postwar draw down the USN offerred CVEs to Latin America or other nations? How many of which class and aircraft to each navy? I supposse the Card class CVEs and Casablancas would be offerred 1st- with F4f/F6F fighters- perhaps later F4U and F8Fs??? The TBF is the only reasonable strike bird available at the time.

Perhaps later- upgrade/conversion to an angled deck configuration plus engine upgrade and operate A-4 Skyhawks. Maybe even Harriers when they mature or the cONVAIR nn-156 FIGHTER.

Opens an interesting possiblility for future CVEs built by the USN for export during ther 50s-60s-70s? Specs and airgroup?

[sideshowbob9]

Well I'd rather have an Independence or Saipan class CVL myself. Is a CVE large enough to be useful outside of wartime expediency? Post-war, F4Fs and F6Fs are getting a little long in the tooth but F4Us would be a definite with A-4s later. Not sure any would last long enough to see Harriers as I'd imagine they were quite lightly built and would wear out by the 70s at the latest. All IMO of course.

Having said all that, nothing you propose is impossible.  

[Cliffy B]

If you have access to a copy of Norman Friedman's "US Aircraft Carriers: An Illustrated Design History", there are several designs drawn up for CVEs and other small carriers from the 1950's through the 1970's.  Some are listed as for export I think.  There's even some angled deck versions on ships the size of wartime CVEs    His series of books are essential for any USN whiff builder.

All small carriers postwar would invariably be used in an ASW role, embarking small fighters (A-4s come to mind) for self defense.  Relying on escorts to take care of air and surface threats.  Many small countries could easily operate the smaller ships with a modest ASW airwing.  Grumman S-2s and maybe later on Lockheed S-3s from the US.  Gannets and Alizes from England and France are also possibilities.  AEW would be handled by modified Avengers, Gannets, and Skyraiders.  Don't forget helos as well.  They're smaller and cheaper to operate than larger fixed wing ASW birds.  Range and payload are their limiting factor.

Even during the war the early model CVEs were deemed too small to be effective, especially in high seas.  The purpose built CVE-55 and 105 Classes were the best wartime CVE designs and would prove the most useful postwar for anyone with the resources and the need to operate them.  Some of the designs I mentioned above started with improving on the CVE-105 Class and then growing from there.  There's one near the end that resembles a baby Forrestal.

[Jschmus]

Roughneck, check out this thread from a while back:

http://www.whatifmodelers.com/index.php/topic,14746.0.html

[McColm]

Here is a concept flying aircraft carrier the Chinese proposed

[pyro-manic]

I too have been kicking the idea around in my mind of whiffing a Carrier. I need to improve my ship building technique before I do build one.  However I have gelled a couple ideas (just not how to carry them out):

STEALTH Nuclear Carriers: (named for relatively obscure US Presidents)
USS Millard Fillmore
USS James K. Polk
USS William Henry Harrisson
USS William Tyler

"Scandal" Class Nuclear Carriers: (unofficially named as such by US Navy types)
USS Richard Milhouse Nixon (ship's nickname:"Tricky Dick")
USS William Jefferson Clinton  (ship's nickname: "Slick Willie")
USS Herbert Hoover
USS Calvin Coolidge

I really wish the USN would stop naming carriers after presidents. It's a dreadful trend IMO - there are so many excellent names with great histories, and yet they've chosen to name a ship, an entire class even, after Gerald Ford. About as uninspiring as you can get.

[icchan]

I don't mind the Nixon being on the list.  Besides "Big Dick," "Tricky Dick," "Checkers," and other fine nicknames, the ship's motto would be entirely true and awesome:

Nobody ****s With Nixon

[Chris707]

Ford was instrumental in saving the USS Monterey during his WWII service - it was in the December 1944 typhoon, and suffered a fire in the hangar from aircraft breaking loose - Halsey actually ordered the captain to abandon the ship, but Ford's damage control team went below and saved the flattop. Jerry might well have been bland, but at least he servedon a carrier - unlike naming one for an Army general ;-) And with that, I'll shut up, lest we get too deep in politics :-)