Pics of the Midway-class aircraft carriers. (Image heavy)

[Doomlock]

Hi guys! So in my first new post on the new forums I am starting a new series. I am going through my clan members and posting pics about ships they would like to see. So, starting off, we have @Carrier_Lexington who requested the Midway-class. Pics have been found through google images and http://www.navsource.org/

Let's get this show on the seas! 

 

 

 

 

So we start off with USS Midway (CV-41) herself. This port bow shot, taken in her final configuration, shows her decks laden with F-4 Phantom II's ready for flight. She appears to be at anchor in this picture.

 

The next pic is Midway not long after commissioning, in 1945. You can see the numerous amounts of 5"/54 caliber DP guns on the superstructure flanks, the large funnel reminiscent of the Lexington-class, and the 41 painted on the front of the flight deck.

 

Here we see Midway conducting an underway replenishment with USS Iowa (BB-61) in the Persian Gulf, 1987. This pic is amazing because these two ships have been in service at this point for more than 40 years. (42 for Midway, 44 for Iowa, though she was off and on.)

 

This final shot is of Midway being floated into her final resting place, in San Diego Harbor, to be used as a museum, in 2006. She is still the only non-Essex-class carrier in the world being used as a museum ship.

 

 

 

USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CV-42) (Herein referred to as FDR). In this pic she is underway with Carrier Air Group 1, in 1962. She was the first US carrier to use a President's name, a convention, which is used today (Enterprise being an exception). 

 

FDR at her commissioning ceremony at New York Navy Yard, on Navy Day, October 27, 1945. Another carrier, presumably an Essex-class, can be seen on the right side of the picture.

 

FDR refueling from USS Tolovana (AO-64) along with USS Black (DD-666). The photo was taken from one of FDR's own rescue chopper, a UH-2 Seasprite.

 

An overhead shot of FDR's flight deck on her last cruise in April, 1976. As the caption reads, "The Last Crew Of The Rosie", one of her nicknames, She was scrapped in 1978.

 

 

 

The final Midway-class, USS Coral Sea (CV-43) in March, 1989. She is underway at speed as the pic suggests; at top she could reach 33 knots. She was named after the first aircraft carrier battle in history.

 

Here we get an early configuration Coral Sea performing maneuvers in the Mediterranean Sea in July, 1955. This image shows the single outboard elevator amidships.

 

This image, taken in July, 1966, sees her westbound for her second Vietnam cruise. The picture was taken from USS Perkins (DD-877).

 

Lastly I end off with a symbolic picture from Pearl Harbor, Coral Sea passes the USS Arizona Memorial in 1968. Her sailors man the rails to salute the old ship as they pass her. This tradition is observed by all USN, USCG and Merchant Marine ships.

 

 

 

 

 

That's all folks I hope you enjoyed. The next pictures will see a return to the German Empire, and to Admiral Maximilian von Spee. As always:

Fair winds, and following seas captains! 

[Fog_Repair_Ship_Akashi]

Nice pics Man thanks for posting them.

[Estimated_Prophet]

Nice, thanks for sharing.

 

That one pic of Midway; it looks like she's in the middle of a oil slick...

[Darksaint1071]

It's more than likely silt stirred up by the tugs maneuvering her into place... I saw that (while on active duty) in some of the shallower harbors the USS Badger visited.

[Hyyena]

Beautiful! Love this ship.

WG really should give his fighters back. 

[GhostSwordsman]

The comparison between the rebuilt Midways and the WWII-era Midways really gives one some appreciation for the aesthetic of their WWII fit.

Something about the single, straight flight deck and the undersides bristling with guns just looks awe inspiring. Much more so, in my opinion, than their post-WWII refits with the angled flight deck added on. I much prefer the WWII look over the more modern "super carrier" look.

[Carrier_Lexington]

Only sad I don't have more upvotes to gif... er, give.

 

Thanks Doom!

[YWNGG9820]