Clamper1797 on the USS Midway somewhere in the Tonkin Gulf 1972-1973
Thought you might enjoy this. Ever been to one of them?
I was stationed on the Lex, 74-78.
I toured it at Corpus once. I was dissapointed that I couldn’t go exploring.
Proud member of the USS Midway 1972-1973 Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club
someone asked "so you flew F-4s like this one?
he replied "no i mean this plane."
Clamper1797 on the USS Midway somewhere in the Tonkin Gulf 1972-1973
Nope. A former shipmate of mine I think spent a night on board the Lexington a few years back. Kennedy is a shoe in for preservation and will get government funding for it that is a sure bet. A carrier museum is very, very, expensive. Most private orgs can't raise the many. Kennedy is technically a carrier class all it's own.
It's been long rumored America and Kennedy were originally to have been proposed nukes but changed under the Johnson administration. The Kennedy was a possibility but the America impossible because she was awarded under Ike and her keel was laid under JFK's term. Too late then for such a huge change. IMO that rumor stems from blueprints that were located on the America with CVN 66 on the blueprints and CVA 66 after that. I saw that myself on some piping charts I think and wondered about it at the time. I was working on an issue that had me studying the piping blueprints for a few weeks. Kennedy was awarded on 4/30 1964 and would have had LBJ/McNamara influence. The fact Kennedy is it's own class does make the nuke to conventional changeover a possibility.
The Forrestal is another oddity many persons don't know about. Although Forrestal was the first super carrier it still had the older 600 PSI steam propulsion plants common to previous older carriers. Saratoga was the first 1200 PSI 8 Boiler system carrier. This stayed consistent on the CVA/CV's through the Kennedy Class. Forrestal has been released from Museum hold and is set to be scrapped.
Hey Jeff...nice thread.
I spent an entire day on the Midway...the organizers and the city have done a really nice job of restoration, maintenance and interpretation.
Had a bunch of old geezers, (my age dudes) who served on her on the bridge and navigation station; they were great to talk to and they were having a good time talking with the tourists.
They also have one each of every model aircraft that was launched off her including the WWII prop jobs.
Horsey,
Swift Boat Sailor
1965-66
I served on the commissioning crew of the Kennedy. This was perhaps the most politically sensitive ship of the fleet at the time. I appreciate seeing this story as it brings back fond memories.