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Random thoughts on CVN flight deck views (slow Sunday...)

PRB

PRB

Administrator
Staff member
So my first ship was Enterprise (CVN-65), and the second was Nimitz (CVN-68). I loved standing on the port side corner of the angle because from there you could see the bow of the ship slicing into the sea, which was always a cool view, especially during rough weather. So imagine my disappointment when from the same point on Nimitz's flight deck, you can't see the bow. How unfair! It's clear why this is so from looking at top view line drawings of the two ships. Not only is the 20mm gun sponson in the way on Nimitz, but the angle at which the angle deck meets the rest of the deck is also a factor. Note that there is a 20mm gun mount on Enterprise too, but it's not in the way of my view of the bow. I think it's mounted further back that on Nimitz as well. When the Big-E was going really fast, the bow wave would be washing the anchors. That's cool...

Bowview1.jpg

Bowview2.jpg


Bowview3.jpg
 
I used to really like to get out and walk on the flight deck of the Lexington. Which didn't happen often as I wasn't flight deck crew. There was a lot of history on that deck.
 
Interesting...Thats one thing on my bucket list ....be on on an aircraft carrier during launching and trapping...not sure how I would achieve this been a Kiwi civilian? :kilroy:
 
On the old Coral Sea (RIP) and Midway you had a great view of the bow from the angle deck. Can't remember on JFK but I think the R2D2 sponson may have been in the way. Walking the flight deck was always a good way to relax and clear your brain. The salt spray in the face helped too. :icon_lol:
 
@Willy: I would have loved to be at sea on the Lexington. History indeed! I'm curious what it would have been like on such a small deck, by comparison!

@Naki: Well, in the Pacific Fleet, they have this thing called a "Tiger Cruise". That's when a ship returning from deployment stops at Pearl Harbor before the six day trip to the west coast of the US. During that short trip, crew members can invite guests to make the trip with them. My brother did it once on Nimitz. So all you need is a relative to join the US Navy! :)

@Tarps: Yep, I liked watching the dolphins and the flying fish. When we weren't flying planes, that is..! :icon_lol:
 
Always loved the dolphins. Beautiful animals and fast swimmers, able to instinctively match the speed of a ship. I'd rather watch them out at sea than doing tricks for people at a marine park.
 
When the Nimitz was brand new, we were transiting between NYC and Ft Lauderdale passing by Norfolk. There was some talk of us pulling into Norfolk for a photo op with the Nimitz as the oldest and newest carriers together, but it didn't come to pass.

@PRB, the aviation types weren't very appreciative of us knuckle dragging engineers on their roof.. :d.
 
Yeah, those were the days, when the biggest worry in the entire world was wondering if I was going to make it down to the mess decks before they ran out of "sliders" ... :) Willy, I tried to get to see the engineering spaces in Enterprise, but they're really touchy down there about the "nuqular" engines. Can't imagine why!
 
I loved to lay in the nets and watch the bow slicing through the water or at night with a full moon on the JFK. I was waist cats deck crew. Before cat school I was in VA37 and we did carquals on Lexington when it was a CVT in Pensacola and yes that boat has some history. While we were there T28s were landing and taking off doing their thing, the feel of that flight deck, wooden flight deck, was someting else, you could close your eyes and just listen and swear it was 1944. The temp in the birthing compartments was 90+ so when we could we'd sleep on the FD.
 
Yummm... sliders.... I lived off the speed line except for mexican food night and birthday night.

I was in Auxiliaries Division/Diesel Gang on the Lex. As the AC&R crowd was part of A-gang, we usually had pretty comfortable berthing. I remember those berthing areas for the embarked personnel (they were a deck above us). No a/c. Some of those guys would try getting real friendly with us and sleep in the division lounge.
 
I cruised on the Indy and the Sara...and had the privilege of spending one week on the Coral Sea. That was the cleanest carrier I'd ever been on, and the crew was very friendly too. It was just prior to her last deployment.

NC

As for the flight deck.....that was ONE dangerous place to work, and dat's da facts, Jack!!!
 
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