[a6intruder]

JFK's keel was put down to be a nuclear carrier like Enterprise (so was America). When USN changed their mind, both JFK and America had to have engineering plants designed for them. As a result, both ships plants were unique. Whenever a major part failed, they, literally, had to machine a new one.

I did a tour as JFK navigator in 88/89 and took her through a PSA at the yard in Portsmouth. We had to manufacture new boiler skirts from scratch, as well as numerous parts for the SSTG's and other engineering systems. You should've seen the electrical switchboards..looked like old telephone operator stations.

All-in-all though a great ship. It is the only carrier that can use both bow catapults while recovering aircraft, as the angle is slightly wider and the port side JBD doesn't foul the landing area.

I did two cruises in VA-34 on her in the late 70's. Amassed about 400 traps and was the top tailhooker on the second cruise. Stateroom on the 02 level underneath WR 1 was great...cold and quiet. Life was good in those days.

What did you fly? East coast or "left" coast?

Warm regards form another tailhooker.

[Magnum44]

Mostly Vikings. Mostly East Coast. Two CV-60 cruises, one CV-62, short cruises on CVN-68, CV-59. My military flying days ended shortly after DS.