Posted on 11/04/2012 6:33:18 AM PST by Berlin_Freeper
WASHINGTON — After half a century on the high seas, the oldest warship in the American fleet, the USS Enterprise, will return to port Sunday for the last time.
From the Cuban Missile Crisis to the war in Afghanistan, the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier has played a part in every conflict involving the United States since she was commissioned in 1961.
But when the massive vessel glides into the US naval base in Norfolk, Virginia on Sunday morning, with sailors in white uniforms standing on deck, it will mark the end of her 25th and final deployment after an eight month tour in the Mediterranean and the Gulf, the Navy said.
"Homecoming will no doubt be a bittersweet day," said Captain William Hamilton, the ship's commanding officer.
"We are pleased to be returning to our families after a very successful deployment, but to know that it is the last time Enterprise will be underway through her own power makes our return very sentimental."
The ship will be formally retired at a ceremony on December 1 but the vessel known as the "Big E" already relinquished its ammunition and ordnance last week at sea, with helicopters ferrying more than 1,500 tonnes of missiles and bombs to cargo ships nearby.
With a length of 342 meters (1,123 feet), the Enterprise is the longest naval ship in the world, and has a displacement of nearly 95,000 tonnes. The floating base can accommodate 4,500 sailors and aviators, as well as 72 planes and helicopters.
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Wish I could edit! Musta been older when I built it. Maybe in ‘62? It probably came out around the time the Enterprise was commissioned. I didn’t think I was still building kits at 16 years of age. Oh well,,,, It was a long time ago!
Like when the Klingon apologized for calling the Enterprise a garbage scow, back tracking with, “I did not mean to say it should be towing garbage but that is should be towed away AS garbage!”
With the USS Obama the Klingon would be right.
Thank you.
No its a kit that I believe was released around 1991, I remember seeing it in a Walgreens store then brand new and well over $100. Mine I picked up on Ebay about 6 years ago, its a hug kit, finished model I think is around a yard long.
My collection of large warships includes a Revell Gato class US pacific fleet sub of the late 1940’s era that is 5 foot long, actually was the easiest I have ever done. But you can see why because there isn’t much on the outside of a sub, I would dearly love to have a sectional cutaway of a model sub.
When I build the Big E I will use lots of fiber optics, it will be a nightime launch scenario of a resin waterline, even to the point of having an F-4 or a Tomcat on final approach with the meatballs lit up. Or also with a JBD up and one about to be launched, some effect of a full throttle up showing.
How true. The Constitution given the same short shrift as her namesake, "The Constitution."
“Squids” - that’s one of the names us Marines used to call sailors.
Oh, are they still deploying the USS Constitution?
Who is that pudgy black figure in spanx with Dr. Suess sleeves near the president?
“The government does not want people thinking of the revolution, the constitution, independence, etc.”
And individual free enterprise capitalism!
Love it, but at least kayaks are fun - I can’t imagine being on the USS Obama would be fun - especially for the crew!
Ask Chekov about it.
Rumor has it that's a disguised George Soros in the rear of the US boat.
EoU!
What a great project! Mine musta been about a yard long too. Revell? Before The Big E, I built a balsa and tissue Sabre Jet. Took forever! Working with the plastic models was so much easier.
The Navy doesn't want to wait until it becomes Starfleet.
Best,
Chris
“We have found the nuclear vessel...And Captain, it is the ENTERPRISE!”
I thought it was a “nuclear wessel.”
Sounds like a Russian name; looks like Johnny Cash.
“If the Navy does, God forbid, name a new ship the “USS Obama”, what kind of ship do you think it should be?”
A garbage barge that is towed to sea for dumping!
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