Forrestal class Aircraft Carriers (1954)

US Navy Flag USS Forrestal, Saratoga, Ranger and Independence (1954-57)
The Forrestal class aircraft carriers (CV-59-62) were the first USN "supercarriers" of the USN, tailored to carry the generation of jet fighters. With the last commissioned in 1959, they served for the whole cold war, missing Korea but seeing Vietnam and all the crisis and modern conflicts on all seas and oceans. Decomm. from 1993, they were BU in 2014-17.

Design Development

The USN admiralty knew as soon as the keel of USS Midway was laid down in late 1943, that a replacement class was to be provided. However apart assuming the class would be armoured, which reached a consensus, and larger to accomodate a mix of jet and piston-powered models in development stage, there was no futher detailed studies, at least before the end of the war. The staff just wanted to see how the new Midway class would fare in service before precising any requirements.

Carrier-borne Nuclear Strike



Thus, as soon as USS Coral Sea was completed and commissioned on 1 October 1947, with a slightly revised design compared to CV-41, design studies resumed, although by that stage, the focus was on a new, very large -in fact a first "supercarrier": The USS United States class (CVA-58). This basically was a Navy response to the Air Force, that monopolized nuclear strike at the time, to provide the USN a carrier-borne deterrent capability, and not lost prestige and budget. However the inter-service rivalry in peacetime led to its cancellation (LeMay's SAC prevailed), as soon as the first plates were laid in 1949.


Navy Dept. early artist impression/concept art for CV-59 NAN 11-52 (1951). Note the two elevators and two angled flight decks, absence of island.

The aftermath led the USN to choose a more conventional design, with the hope that in the long run, they would eventually carry aircraft large enough (and the authorization) to also have this nuclear strike capability (which eventually happened in the 1960s). It should be said that tests were performed onboard the large Midway class, quite soon, to launch (but not recover) modified biprop PV-2 Neptunes fitted with rocket assisted launch systems, and a payload correponding to the current Bomb A models. These tests proved sucessful, but this was no more than a reboot of the Doolittle Raid. In no way the PV-2 could be accomodated on board on a regular basis and there was nothing in the USN inventory that fit the bill to carry nukes at the time, and small enough to fit in.

The CV-59 was the first major aircraft carriers designed since the Mid-winter 1947, partly resuming studies conducted with the USS United States, incorporating an island but smaller in size the Senate specified a tonnage of less than 60,000 tons.


Navy Dept. early artist impression/concept art for CV-59, original configuration (1951)

The Aircraft Carrier CVB-59, as depicted by D.A. McKenna, showed the original, and first design. After many modifications, the final design incorporated many lessons from the Korea war, even when she was in already construction: The island and broader flight deck, repositioned lifts, redefined air operations, for a permanent cycle of simultaneous landings and launchings, plus changed linked to new heavier jets and extra avgas storage. As originally planned, the 1951 design had catapults at the bow and on sponsons on either side. The landing area was on the centerline and like for the USS United states there was no proper "island" but a very small tower. This art was shot and kept at the Naval Photographic Center on 27 September 1951. Official U.S. Navy Photograph National Archives coll. on navsource.org. Forrestal was indeed initially designated CVB-59 ("B" standing for Big), but it was changed to CVA-59 (for "Atomic") on 1 October 1952 prior to commissioning.

Detailed design

CVA 62 under construction July 1955
CVA 62 under construction July 1955, note the protecting extra plating bulging over the machinery section at the center of the ship at that stage.

The first "supercarrier" were named that way due their then-extraordinarily high tonnage of 75,000 tons, which was 25% larger than the Midway class, or three times USS Ranger (CV3), fully loaded. As massive as they were, they still derived from the 1945 post-Midway design studies not fully integrating lessons of the war in terms of air group management. Thus, like the Midways, the project SCB 80 (Forrestal and Saratoga) were first designed and built with straight deck, for potential "sunday punch" style full deck launches. It's only later that an angled deck was integrated in the design. If Forrestal and Saratoga were laid down as axial deck carriers, they were completed with an angle deck, while USS Ranger and Independence were laid down as angled deck carriers from the start, but with various minor improvements.

Another difference with the Midways, they were designed with a tall and large island integrating the funnel in a more rational way. The bridge was triple, with two enclosed full size ones, for the CO, XO and wing command above, plus the admiralty bridge and open bridge on top. It supported large aerials and antennae for all around long range air and sea surveillance, completed by it's own air group. Ironically this island was not even planned in their initial design:

Indeed like the USS United States, they featured a very small and retractable island. But like for the Unites States, this solution caused a lot of problems. The raising mechanism for it was searched for but still not ready when the decision was made to add an angled deck. Also and smoke fouling of the deck, in a side funnel configuration, was expected to ruin aicraft operations depending on the wind. The angled deck solution enabled to fite a large island and it's funnel, bringing more flexibility, notably for command and control in air operations. Never the idea of a island-less configuration was discussed again and all follup designs adopted a comparable island. At least for eight ships as the USS Enteprise, planned since 1956 with a nuclear propulsion, got rid of the funnel and instead gained a powerful multifunctions radar.

The main difference between the Forrestal-Saratoga pair and the Ranger-Independence was that the first were completed with two island masts and an open fantail plus larger flight deck segment forward of the port aircraft elevator versus a single island mast closed fantail, smaller flight deck segment forward of the same port aircraft elevator, allowing a larger mid-ship flight deck section and more parking space.

Hull and Protection

That sounds surprising for the cold war and to us today, the very modern, post-WW2 CV-59 class was designed as armoured carriers, differently from the Midways. However as the design progressed, armour was toned down to the essentials and active proection measures were beefered up instead, but with a system very sumilar to the British Aircraft carriers. Their large size required a deep-hulled design incorporating the armored flight deck for the first time into the hull, no longer as a superstructure.


Blades of the largest anchor ever built by the U.S. Navy, 12 feet long, in scale with by WAVES Storekeeper Seaman Frances Gand (kneeling) and Seaman Apprentice Iris Mae Bixby at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard Foundry, Portsmouth, Virginia. National Archives coll.

This structural originality grew out of the requirement to carry the strength deck at flight deck level for a stronger and lighter hull and this allowed engineers to not be concerned for stability as they were for the Midways, criticizes as to be too low and always wet in heavy weather. The deeper hull Forrestal class gave them extra freeboard, better seakeeping and less trouble operating for their onboard aviation. They still kept a complete belt amidship, 6 in thick (150 mm), combined with a flight deck 1.8 in (45 mm), a gallery deck 1 in (25mm), hangar deck 1.45 in (37mm), and main deck 1.45 in (37mm) creating a four layered defense in STS steel, while the belt was completed by a backup torpedo bulkhead 3 in (76 mm) thick.

This new protection became a critical issue, as said by Cracknell, W.H, in Warship Profile 15, "USS Enterprise (CVAN 65) Nuclear Attack Carrier, p.56: "The main armor carried on Enterprise is the heavy armored flight deck. This was to prove a significant factor in the catastrophic fire and explosions that occurred on Enterprise's flight deck in 1969. The US Navy learned its lesson the hard way during World War II when all its carriers had only armored hangar decks. All attack carriers built since the Midway class have had armored flight decks."

All in all, the new carriers reached the amazing size of 1063 feets overall, 129 in beam, and the largest ever flight deck width so far, 252 feets. Displacement was 60,000 tons nominal for USS Forrestal, in normal draught, but rose for her sisters and over time to 75,000 tonnes nominal for Forrestal fully loaded, then 75,900 tonnes after th angled deck was installed and up to 79,300 tonnes later in their carriers. They basically reached almost 80,000 tonnes, something unheard of for a warship. Only supertankers would surpass these figures.

Powerplant

Nothing revolutionary on that chapter. The Navy trusted their geared steam turbines, and in that case, it was scaled up for a 75,000 tons vessel, with four sets of Westinghouse geared steam turbines fed by 8 Babcock & Wilcox boilers, for a total output of 260,000 shp for CVA59 and 280,000 for the three others. This resulted in the top speed of 32 for the first and 33 for the others;

Why such difference ? Simply the boilers were of an older model on Forrestal and worked at a lower pressure. In fact, USS Saratoga was the first US carrier to use high-pressure 1,200 psi (8,300 kPa) boilers. This model was also adopted by her two next sister ships. All four carried the same amount of fuel oil, 8,570 tons, rising their endurance to 12,000 nautical miles at 20 kts cruise speed.

Flight Deck, Hangar and Facilities

CV 59 was originally designed as a smaller version of the cancelled United States, later revised after Senator Carl Vinson s' decreed approving a 60,000 tonnes standard. The initial design called for a straight and flush or island-less flight deck, but with four catapults for simultaneous launches, two in the bow and one angled out from each side, in the waist. These catapults were of a new explosive type. Incidentally the stowage of catapult charges became major design problem as it did not resemble the problematic of deep buried ammo rooms. They were to be maintained close to the flight deck for obvious reasons.

The Forrestals were 100 feet (30 m) longer, 20 feet (6 m) wider abeam than the Midways, and even keeping a straight deck, they made a formidable aircraft platform, notably in rough weather and had the roomiest hangar decks, largest flight decks surface to date. All things aviators appreciated. In her final deck design, her very large middle flight deck integrated for the first time an angled deck forming a very wide theoretical parking area, although it was in practice reduced to the port side, close to the island and three lifts. USS Forrestal differed from the others by having her island placed closer to the bow.

The forward section was reserved for the two main C7 catapults (first two), far longer and more powerful than all previous classes, and completed by "lips", whereas the two auxiliary C11 catapults were installed on starboard, in the end of the angled flight deck, but with another side elevator on the front. The next two ships only had four C7s, which became the new standard.

All four elevators were side models, and of the same size. Arrestors wires were installed aft, where the very large rectangle formed by amidship section of the main deck was reduced to fit the stern. In any case this made for a very roomy deck, which configuration was repeated for the next classes, but certainly not the best configuration yet, this was a first try.

Indeed, their elevators were badly arranged, with a portside elevator inherited axial-deck design located right into the path of the angled deck and secondary catapults, so in the launch path of any aircraft from these No. 3 and No. 4 catapults. The latter by the way were arranged close together, so as to only allowed successive launchings, not simultaneous unlike the N°1 and N°2 catapults. Nevertheless, they were unique as being the first to truly permit simultaneous takeoffs and landings.

The Kitty Hawk class had their portside elevator relocated to the aft end of the angle and the island and the second starboard elevator were swapped. This configuration indeed improving a lot aircraft handling. The CV 59 class with their roomier hull also carried a lot of avgaz and air ammunition (1,650 tonnes), 750,000 gallons avgas, even 789,000 JP5, far more than the cancelled (and larger) USS United States (500,000) and the previous Midway class (365,000).

Armament


Two of the eight turrets of the carrier USS Ranger firing, in 1961.

In 1950, gunnery was still the order of the day. Thus, they were armed with eight single 127mm/54 Mk 42, the new automated turret type designed to replaced the WW2 5-in/38 DP twin turret. Unlike the 5 in (127 mm)/54 Mark 39, and earlier model of which no less than fourteen were carried by the Midway class, in addition to ninteen quad 40 mm AA, the late 1940s had proven the virtues of new combined fuses with extremely precised fire control plus high rate of fire due to fully automatic reloading and aiming.

In 1952, when the ship were laid down, it was recoignised that new fighters pushed the envelope of protection far away from the ship and that with the new jets, all "light AA" guns were now obsolete, even the new twin 3-in/50 (76 mm) guns in service on many cruisers and destroyers in replacement for the 40 mm. There were talks of of these in additional sponsons, but the new promising jets and escorting missile cruisers led the admiralty grand designers to limit themselves to just two pairs of the new guns forward and aft in sponsons, allowing also to create their large, caracteristic flight decks in the process. As a "last resort defence" this was very acceptable, all weighted and also came with simplified armament management and supply, and a reduction of crew where it was really needed.

5-in/54 Mark 42 gun:



Here are the specs of the Mark 42 5"/54 Caliber Gun: The Mark 42 5"/54 really was a cold war game changer for NATO. Not only it equipped cruisers, destroyers, frigates or the USN, but also was used by Australia, Egypt, Germany, Greece, Japan, Mexico, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand and Turkey, but it stayed in service amazingly well past the 1990s, staying relevant as long as the radar based firing control stayed relevant.

The sponson-mounted guns however suffered from poor range and complicated firing arcs, and were located in very wet and thus nearly useless positions in the bow and stern. They were removed after only a few years and were later replaced by missiles and much later by close-in weapon systems (CIWS). The aft guns in Forrestal lasted until the fire in 1967, then were removed and eventually replaced by missiles in the mid-70s.

Indeed, the forward sponsons fared poorly in heavy weather, reducing ship's performances and splashing spray over the flight deck. Therefore, all four vessels only carrier their four aft guns, until Sea Sparrow mounts were generalized; It's only in 1977 that the last of these traded guns for sea sparrows, with USS Ranger, which also retained her forward sponsons. Their stacks were also raised mid-life about 10 feets to accomodate larger arrays on Ranger and Independence.

RIM-7 Sea Sparrow Mk29:



Well before SLEP, starting in 1973 for USS Independence and 1974 for USS Saratoga, two octuple Sea Sparrow SAM (16 RIM-7) were installed. 1976 for Forrestal, and 1977 for Ranger. In 1983 onwars, they were replaced on all ships by Mk.25 launchers. After SLEP refit, these were MK.29 launchers. The RIM-7 was a naval derivative of the short range air air missile AIM-7 developed from 1963 by Raytheon and General Dynamics. In fact when the Sparrow was abandoned in the air force for the AIM-120 AMRAAM, the sea sparrow went on in its development.

Phalanx 20mm CIWS:



The first systems were installed on USS Saratoga in 1983: These were three 6-barreled 20mm/76 Mk 15 Phalanx systems. Ranger obtained them in 1985, as Forrestal, and Independence in 1988. The Phalanx CIWS were automated hyper-fast autocannons using a rotative barrel (Gatling system) to reach an exceptionally high rate of fire. It is designed to destroy an incoming missile's airframe. Loosing its aerodynamic qualities while shrapnel secondary damage is a bonus to destroy potentially electronics systems. The key of the system is that it's unmanned, but with human oversight. The tracking system is faster than the human brain can process the target acquisition. Another advantage of the system is that it can also destroy low-fliying aircrafts if needed or even deal with small and fast surface targets. Developed from 1969 and produced from 1978, it was constantly upgraded until today. The last system used on the Forrestal class were Mk.15 Block 1B which unit cost was US$416M. The data is for the Block 1B.

Electronics

USS Saratoga's island radars in the 1980s
USS Saratoga's island radars in the 1980s

USS Forrestal island and mast
CV 59 island and masts



AN/SPS-48 3D air search radar: 17 ft (5.2 m) by 17 ft 6 in (5.33 m). Working on Frequency E and F band (2 to 4 GHz) at azimuth 360°, at a precision of 690 ft (210 m) 0-65° elevation, Range 250 nmi (460 km), Altitude 100,000 ft (30,000 m), powered by a 35 kW (avg). It is squarish in appearance.

The AN/SPS-48 2D air search radar was about the same. It is shared also by the Nimitz class.



AN/SPS-10 surface search radar: An older (1959) 2D radar from Raytheon, using C Band at a PRF of 650 Hz on a beamwidth 1.9° × 16° and pulsewidth of 1.3 µs, power supply 280 kW. It was also shared by the Essex-class, Kitty Hawk-class and USS Enterprise and was really "Vietnam era" tech.



Mark 36 SRBOC: 1980s EW and decoys system, "Super-arboc" is a short-range chaff mortar also able to launch infrared decoys to foil anti-ship missiles. 2x3 tube racks at a 45°, 60° angle, for effective spread and defeat radio frequency emitting missiles. It was also tested with the TORCH infrared "flare" decoy system. Each shup so equipped carries 20-35 rounds per launcher in store. Still used as of 2010.
SLQ-29 EW radar: AN/SLQ-32 Electronic Warfare System (post-SLEP). This lens-fed multi-beam array generates very high jamming power at continuous wave.

WLR-1 ESM radar: The LR-1 is a shipborne radar warning receiver in service since the early 1960s, performing real-time intercept of signals, direction-finding, processing and evaluation of radio-frequency signal emitters in the 0.5-18 GHz (C to J) bands.

WLR-3 ESM radar: Radar warning and signal collection system.

WLR-11 ESM radar: Naval variant of the AN/ALR-52 ECM receiver, instantaneous frequency measurement (IFM) receiver for detection/analyzis of anti-ship missile threats. Standard radar warning system with an omni-directional and direct ion-finding antenna array, processor to emitt parameters from memory, bandpass filter for band rejection and pre-selection.

Forrestal class Air Group

F8 Crusaders fly over USS Forrestal in 1962
F8 Crusaders over USS Forrestal in 1962

Due to their very long active carrer, they would see virtually all the post-1944 generations of planes on her deck, from WW2 piston-engine to the models still actually in service on modern nuclear carriers. They started with an extremely strong air wing, initially planned (with the 1944 piston-engine generation, of 120 planes, and later down to 80–100 jet aircraft. It was "only" 65–75 for the Midway class and just 50 for the modernized 1950s Essex class, so double. Again, a good justification to call them supercarriers.


A Sea Vixen of FAW 892 NAS landing on USS Ranger in 1963. In addition to operating all models of the USN in the cold war, the carriers would at some occasion operate more unusual models, such as the C-130 (see below) or the Lockheed U2 (both for launch and recovery tests) and launching the B-25 Mitchell for a WW2 commemoration.

First air group


AD-1 of VA-85, USS Forrestal, 1958

As completed in 1955, USS Forrestal would have had 90 aircraft. a mix of F3H Demon, FG/F3A Skyhawk, , FJ Savage, F2H Banshee, F9F Panther, F3D Skynight, F7U Cutlass fighters, but also AD Skyraider, AJ Savage, both piston-engine attackers, F2H-P, F9F-P, AJ-P, OE, F7U-P recon planes, S2F ASW planes, AD-Q ECM planes, AD-W EW planes, TF cargo planes, HO4S, HRS, HUP, HO5S, HSL, HSS helicopters, for Forrestal alone in her whole career.

According to navypedia however, their planned air group in 1950 also comprised 14 F4U Corsair piston-engine attack planes (actually i found no reference of them ever in service in these carriers), a number of Grumman F7F Tigercat bi-motor long range fighter (same no clue) and the F8F Bearcat (same doubt here, no reference). All of these were allegedly retired in 1955-60 and it can find absolytely no photo or record of these ever been in service on the Forrestal or her sisters. The US Navy however the Douglas AD-1/A-1 Skyraider, their contemporary, with great success for many, many more years, in fact until the end of the cold war and full replacement by the A-7 Corsair II.

AD-5W_Skyraiders_of_VAW-12_fly_over_USS_Forrestal_25_April_1960
AD-5W Skyraiders (VAW-12) fly over USS Forrestal, 25 April 1960

F14 Tomcat from USS Forrestal
F14 Tomcat from USS Forrestal

In 1960, USS Saratoga operated the following:
-Fourteen 14 McDonnell F3H Demon jet fighters
-Fourteen F8U corsair fighters
-Twenty Four A4D Skyhawk light attack airplanes
-Twelve AD-6 Skyraider piston atack airplanes
-12 A3D Skywarrior large jet attack airplanes
-Four Vought F8U-1P phot-recce piston aircraft
-Four AD-5W Skyraider piston aircrafts for ASW warfare.
-Helicopters were operated but details are not known.
CVA59: 8 x 1 - 127/54 Mk 42, 90 aircraft (F4U/FG/F3A, F7F, F8F, FJ, F2H, F9F, F3D, F7U fighters, AU, AD, AJ attackers, F2H-P, F9F-P, AJ-P, OE, F7U-P recon planes, S2F ASW planes, AD-Q ECM planes, AD-W EW planes, TF cargo planes, HO4S, HRS, HUP, HO5S, HSL, HSS helicopters)
CVA60: 8 x 1 - 127/54 Mk 42, 90 aircraft (F7F, FJ, F2H, F9F, F3D, F7U, F3H, F4D fighters, AD, AJ, A3D attackers, F7F-P, F2H-P, F9F-P, AJ-P, OE, F7U-P recon planes, S2F ASW planes, AD-Q ECM planes, AD-W EW planes, TF cargo planes, HO4S, HRS, HUP, HO5S, HSL, HSS, HOK helicopters)
CVA61: 8 x 1 - 127/54 Mk 42, 90 aircraft (FJ, F2H, F9F, F3D, F7U, F3H, F4D, F11F, F8U fighters, AD, AJ, A3D, A4D attackers, F2H-P, F9F-P, AJ-P, OE, F7U-P recon planes, S2F ASW planes, AD-Q ECM planes, AD-W EW planes, TF cargo planes, HO4S, HRS, HUP, HSL, HSS, HUS, HOK, HUL, HR2S helicopters)
CVA62: 8 x 1 - 127/54 Mk 42, 90 aircraft (FJ, F2H, F9F, F3D, F3H, F4D, F11F, F8U fighters, AD, AJ, A3D, A4D attackers, F2H-P, F9F-P, AJ-P, OE, A3D-P, F8U-P recon planes, S2F ASW planes, AD-Q, F3D-Q ECM planes, AD-W EW planes, TF cargo planes, HO4S, HRS, HUP, HSL, HSS, HUS, HOK, HUK, HUL, HR2S helicopters)

The Vietnam War air group


F-8C (VF-84) catapulted from USS Independence c1963

In 1967, USS Forrestal's air grup comprised 24 F-4B Phantom II fighters-bombers, 24 A-4E Skyhawk attackers, 12 A-6A Intruder bombers, three RA-5C Vigilante, three RA-3B and three KA-3B Skywarrior, four E-2A Hawkeye for reconnaissance, surveillance, and electronic warfare and 4 Kaman UH-2A seasprite for SAR and ASW operations.

As the conflict ended in 1973, at least as far the US was concerned, the same USS Forrestal now had 24 F-4J, 24 A-7A Corsair, 12 A-6A, 3 RA-5C, 4 EA-6B Prowler, 4 E-2B, 4 KA-6D, 10 S-3A Viking and 8 SH-3H helicopters.

S-2G Tracker of VS-24 from USS Saratoga
S-2G Tracker of VS-24 from USS Saratoga in 1974, first advanced warning dedicated model.
USS Forrestal, a record holder


Due to their large decks they operated some of the largest aircraft ever seen on a carrier, including some in principle forbidden on their decks like the very versatile 30 tons C-130 Hercules:
On October 1963 the US Navy indeed decided to try to land a Hercules on an aircraft carrier. It was done in moderately rough seas 500 miles out in the North Atlantic off the coast of Boston. In so doing, the airplane became the largest and heaviest aircraft to ever land on an aircraft carrier, a record that stands to this day. Full Article Video footage

These tests were highly successful, allowing a 85,000 pounds (39,000 kg) KC-130F to make on her deck a complete stop within 267 feet (81 m) at maximum load. The Hercules was also tested for takeoffs on 745 feet (227 m) and the Navy estimated she would lift 25,000 pounds (11,000 kg) of cargo and flew over 2,500 miles (4,000 km) to make this delivery on any carrier. Routine COD operations however would exclude it. It was more a what-if wartime scenario, an option to the general staff. Eventually the development of the Grumman C-2 Greyhound as a long range navy cargo plane in 1962-1965 made these tests no longer relevant.

The 1980s air group


F-14 Tomcat landing on USS Saratoga in 1985

In 1987, USS Independence still operated 96 aircraft and helicopters:
-24 Grumman F-14A Tomcat (air dominance)
-42 Grumman A-6E Intruder (attack)
-Four E-2C Hawkeye (LR surveillance)
-Four EA-6B Prowler (Electronc warfare)
-Ten S-3A (ASW warfare)
-Four KA-6D Intruder
-Eight SH-3H Seaking SAR helicopters.

1990s air group


E2C Hawkeye from USS Forrestal

In 1998 the same USS Independence, the last decommissioned in 2004, was down to 76 planes and helicopters. Here is the detail:
-20 F-14A Tomcat Fighters
-36 F/A-18A/B Hornet Fighter/Bombers
-Four EA-6B Prowler EW planes
-Four E-2C Hawkeye LR surveillance panes
-Eight S-3A Viking ASW planes
-Four SH-60F Oceanhawk SAR helicopters.

About the crew and other specs

The Crew of a Forrestal class amounted to 3019 men for the ship's company alone, and no less than 2,480 for the air wing, so a total of 5,500, also a figure never reached by any ship in the US Navy so far. In peactime the normal figure would be a bit less, 4,378 total combined. Nevertheless this was enormous. The previous Midways indeed reached 4,500, but many were assigned to the AA guns and lighter 40 mm mounts, plus the more numerous air park of the late 1940s and it was decreased over time. Not with their lower hulls, they were considered cramped and unpopular, unlike the much roomier CV-58 class.

Nevertheless, with the total combined crew of 5,500, expenses for such carrier, includung fuel, avgaz and food, was enormous yearly, on top of their base construction price, which was . for a annual operating cost in 1990 of $142,000,000 (source: FY1996 VAMOSC).

About the names

CVA-59 was named after James Vincent Forrestal (1892-1949). Formed WWI naval aviator veteran, first under Secretary of the Navy in August 1940, charged with the building of the world's largest fleet ever. His brilliant work in procurement and production had him appointed 48th Secretary of the Navy in May 1944. He was appointed again by the first Secretary of Defense, in September 1947, resigned in March 1949. He passed away soon after.

For the next vessels, CV-60 USS Saratoga honored both the 1777 Battle, and interwar's CV-3, second aircraft carrier of the Lexington class, just decommissioned after a very active and brillant WW2 career. CV-61 honored USS Ranger, CV-4 fist purpose-built USN aircraft carrier, and also WW2 veteran just decommissioned. CV-62 did the same, this time with the lead vessel, USS Independence, of the president's CVL serie of WW2. Others in the class served a bit longer before decommissioned and they all added Korea to their WW2 records.

Construction

These four ships were started at Newport News and the New York Dockyard in 1952-55 and accepted for service in 1955-59, so there was a span of ten years before the first drafts in 1949 and the last ship commissioned. Nevertheless they well deserved their moniker of "super carrier". They were indeed a monumental achievement, having to integrate four powerful catapults capable of launching the new generation of Navy jets, to store twice as much fuel reserves than the Midway class. Initially equipped with twin 3-in (76 mm) of the new AA standard, their platforms were troublesome foam generators in bad weather and they were later removed and replaced by Sea Sparrow launchers in the years 1972-77. During their long career spaning the entire cold war to its conclision, they underwent a serie of overhauls and reconstructions to stay relevant, from WW2 tech to the digital age.

USS Forrestal
USS Forrestal's profile 1955 as completed

USS Forrestal 1967
Forrestal's profile in 1967, Vietnam war

USS Forrestal 1979
USS Forrestal in 1979

USS ranger 1975
USS Ranger in 1975

⚙ Forrestal class specifications 1960

Dimensions1,070 ft x 129 ft 4 in x 35ft 9in (316.7m x 76.2m x 10.3m)
Fight Dech1,069 ft 7 in × 252 ft 7 in (326m × 77m)
Displacement61,163t, 78,509t FL.
Crew2,764 + 1,912 (Crew, Air Staff), see notes
Propulsion4 GS HP turbines, 8 Babcock boilers, 280,000 hp (210 MW)
Speed34 knots (63 km/h; 39 mph)
Range
Armament8x 5-in/50 AA, 75-90 aircraft
ElectronicsSPS-8,10,12 radars, SPN-6,8,12, FCS Mk 35, SLR-2 ECM
ProtectionBelt 6 in, flight deck 2 in, gallery deck 1 in, hangar and main deck 1.5 in, torpedo bulkhead 3 in

Major Refit: SLEP 1980-88


Ranger in 1990


Saratoga in 1990

The early 1980s saw successively all four ships taken in drydock for their major Service Life Extension Program (SLEP), with Philadelphia as the first to be decomm. for her long refit 1s- Oct. 1980 to Feb. 1983, and November due to Boilers defects. Forrestal was next in 21 March 1981 to 20 May 1985, and then Independence in 18 April 1985 to Feb. 1988. Total cost was estimated to $550 million.

All major systems were overhauled, and new electronics fitted, such as the SPS-48C main radar, SPS-49, Better NTDS, Tactical Flag Command Center and Flag Data Display System. Kevlar was also added as extra protection for the C&C room and other sensitive areas. It was planned also to replaced their now old C-11/C-7 catapults by C-13s but this was postponed. The elevators however were reinforced to lift a 45 tonnes aircraft.

The defensive system was upgraded also: They gained Mk29 Sea Sparrow launchers with Mark 23 TAS, two directors per launcher; and three Phalanx CIWS anti-missiles.

USS Ranger did not underwent SLEP but was nevertheless extensively refitted in May 1984-June 1985, so in a simplified and cheaper way compared to the others. She had improved evaporators for her boilers, Halon, acqueous film firefighting system, Mk.23 TAS and three Phalanx.

The last modernized, USS Independence received the following modifications: Two octuple Sea Sparrow SAM (Mk 25 launchers) with 16 RIM-7, assisted by two Mk 51 FCS, and three 6-tubes 20mm/76 Mk 15 Phalanx. The SPS-29, SPS-30, SPS-58 radars were upgraded. She also had the WLR-1 and WLR-3 ECM suites and six Mk 95, Mk 23 TAS, SPS-48C, SPS-49(v)5, SPS-58, SPS-43A, SPN-44 for active electronics defense, three Mk 90 radars, and the WLR-1H, WLR-8, SLQ-17A ECM suite making the SLQ-29 system. For chaff she carried three Mk 36 SRBOC decoy RL, plus the SLQ-25A Nixie torpedo decoy. C&C was upgraded with a modern NTDS CCS, TFCC (Tactical Flag Command Center)

⚙ Forrestal class in the 1990s

Displacement65,000 tons tons standard, circa 79,000 tons Fully Loaded
Crew4,378
Armament3x8 Sea Sparrow SAM Mk29, 3x20 mm CIWS Mk.15
ElectronicsSPS-29,37A/43A, SPS-30 radars, SPS-58 for sea sparrow, WLR-1, WLR-3 ECM
ProtectionKevlar add-on plates in some areas

A long cold war career


USS John F Kennedy (CV-67) and USS Saratoga (CV-60) underway.

All four ships never saw the end of the Korean War (mostly Essex clas vessels operated there) as built and completed, but they were ready for a tense period in the Mediterranean, and of course all four saw their fair share of action in Vietnam, where they were relatively recent, and were heavily committed.

On July 29, 1967 however, USS Forrestal's frantic operating pace was shattered when a Zuni rocket accidentally fired from an F-4 Phantom into a parked and armed A-4 Skyhawk. This caused a cascade of catastrophies, after the belly fuel tank blasted, making a 1,000 pound bomb on the Skyhawk falling off, spilling jet fuel onto the flight deck which fed an anormous and soon uncontrollable fire.

The massive chain reaction of explosions of the whole air parked fully loaded for a strike between Fuel and bombs eventualy gushed the armored flight deck and ignited new fires on lower decks resulting in the largest loss of life of the USN since USS Franklin (CV-13). 134 died and 64 were injured in the event, which trigerred a wave of safety measures and more caution in operations.

Forrestal made 21 successful operational deployments during thorty years of service, seeing the end of the cold war, and 1991 Operation Provide Comfort relief effort for the Kurds of Iraq. Changing home port in February 1992 to Pensacolan FL, she became a training carrier and her 14-month overhaul was discontinued in March 1993 when scheduled for decommissioning in relation to the closure of the Pennsylvania Naval Shipyard.

USS Saratoga was attached to her home port of Mayport, FL, and was off Cuba during the Cuban missile crisis, but also Lebanon during the Six-Day War, in the Tonkin Gulf, the Red Sea during (Persian Gulf war) transiting the Suez Canal by night, a first at the time. Her 38 year career ended in January 1994, making her last missioned in the Adriatic to support operations `Deny Flight' and `Provide Promise' over Bosnia-Herzogovina, and full decommission in August.

USS Ranger, Commissioned in 1957, served in the Pacific and was the longest implicated in constant operations in the Vietnam War, earning 13 battle stars in the process of her four deployments. Later she also served in the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf and was eventually decommissioned in July 1993, but only stricken in 2004, but stayed in long term reserve at Bremerton, Washington, until March 2015. She was scrapped in Brownsville in 2017.

USS Independence was attached to San Diego home port for most of her long career of 36 years. She had in June 1988 her SLEP overhault at Philadelphia and join Yokosuka as her new home port in 1991 as a permanently forward deployed aircraft carrier. On June 30, 1995, she became the oldest vessel in service and not even decommissioned by late 1998. Her last deployment was in July 1998, leaving Yokosuka, and decommissioned this time 30 September 1998. She nearly missed the second millenium.

Gallery

USS Forrestal starboard view 1955
USS Forrestal starboard view 1955

350 ton crane at Philadelphia NS with AVT-59 1995
350 ton crane at Philadelphia NS with AVT-59 1995

USS Forrestal Suez canal 108 days at sea
USS Forrestal Suez canal 108 days at sea

USS Forrestal aerial starboard quarter
USS Forrestal aerial starboard quarter

USS Severn (AO-61) refuels USS Forrestal and_USS Des Moines (CA-134) in the Atlantic Ocean, 11 November 1956
USS Severn (AO-61) refuels USS Forrestal and_USS Des Moines (CA-134) in the Atlantic Ocean, 11 November 1956

Cross-deck operations of US F-4J and RN F-4Ks on CV-62
Cross-deck operations of US F-4J and RN F-4Ks on CV-62

Links/Src

Books

J.Gardiner, R. Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships, 1947–1995
Donald, David; Daniel J. March (2001). Carrier Aviation Air Power Directory. AIRtime Publishing
Cracknell, W.H, Warship Profile 15, USS Enterprise (CVAN 65) Nuclear Attack Carrier
Friedman, Norman (1983). U.S. Aircraft Carriers: An Illustrated Design History. Naval Institute Press

Links

Forrestal on virtualwall.org
wiki
CV 59 on Navsource
Paul H. Friedman's USS FORRESTAL CVA-59 web site
On globalsecurity.org
The class on hazegray.org
Navypedia (archive)
About USN radars
On history.navy.mil
The catasrophy of USS Forrestal
On seaforces.org
Decomm. on navytimes.com
USS Forrestal memorial
On nationalcoldwarexhibition.org
Last voyage of USS Forrestal
First page of the 1967 Forrestal Cruise Book
uss-forrestal.com assoc

Model kits

general query on scalemates and the very rare and gigantic Wilhelmshavener Modellbaubogen Mowe-Verlag WHM-1200 1:250 kit
The Forrestal was quickly adopted by model makers in the 1950s, like Advant at 1:542, Heller/Revell at the same scale, Monogram, Estrella, Lodela which retook the revell kit. Airfix also tackled it at 1:600, as Aurora, and Monogram as well as Necomisa and Lodela. At last Italeri made a 1:720 kit, distribited and manufactured also by testor, and Nichimo was the first to propose a 1:750. ARII made a 1:800, as well as Micro Ace, as well as Nitto and Toho. At last Playkit proposed for tabletops fanatics it's USS Saratoga at 1:2500. The model has been well covered by 3D recently. Gold Medal prposed the 1:720 photosheet decals for the Italeri model as well.

The Revell 1:542

USS Forrestal CV-59

Forrestal on trials 1955
Forrestal on trials 1955

USS Forrestal was commissioned on 1 October 1955 and joined her her home port, Naval Station Norfolk, in Virginia. Her first service year was of course essentially intensive training, soon receiving her air group and multiply operations off the Virginia Capes and Caribbean in the winter, but also cruising as north as Maine. Training aviators and evaluating her advanced facilities was particularly useful as these reports led to last-minutes changes for her sister ships still in construction.

In 1956 she started to operate more often from Naval Station Mayport, Florida. On 7 November she made her first foreign cruise, reaching the eastern Atlantic as the Suez Crisis developed. But she did not ented the Mediterranean staying in hig alert. The crisis eventually revolved itself and she was back to Norfolk on 12 December, to be redeployed with the 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean, departing on 15 January 1957. She toured the Mediterranean, stopping in many ports to show the flag and attracting a lot of interest wherever she was as the largest warship afloat. Many dignitaries and the general public boto visited her.

CVA-59 underway at sea 1957
CVA-59 underway at sea 1957

On the political side this was also a huge PR success as the cold war was just getting hot in many areas, around notably in Greece and the Balkans. Demonstrations to project air power were made, to and from the sea and in coordination with the 6th fleet escorts. Back in Norfolk on 22 July 1957, she started a round of exercises off North Carolina for her first NATO operation: Operation Strikeback. This was a north sea deployment from 3 September to 22 October and coordination effort with NATO navies and in particular the Royal Navy facing the Soviet threat and testing scenarios.

In 1958, she took part in new major fleet exercises as well as some experimental flight operations and tests opf new models. The Lebanon Crisis of summer 1958 saw her sent in the eastern Atlantic, from Norfolk on 11 July with her new air group, patrolling the Atlantic and back on the 17th before a second tour of duty (TOD) in the Med, from 2 September 1958 to 12 March 1959 and a program close to what she did in 1957. She notably carried Secretary of Defense N. H. McElroy.

Forrestal underway 31 May 1962
USS Forrestal underway 31 May 1962

Her third TOD with the 6th Fleet was in 28 January - 31 August 1960, also visiting many ports and staying longer than usual in Split, Croatia. Her 5th TOD was between January-August 1961 before a well deserved overhaul in Norfolk. Here, modifications were made to her arresting wires, replaced with four new ones and berthing areas freed while the right side flight deck mirror was replaced by Fresnel lens in the port catwalk. Past her shakedown cruise in Guantanamo Bay, January 1962, she stopped in Port-au-Prince and Port of Spain and took part in a defending fleet for a landing exercise on Vieques Island with the largest fleet assembled since the Korean War. She hosted Vice-President Lyndon B. Johnson and John F. Kennedy as well as many foreign ambassadors and staffs during another exercize off the Virginia Capes in June 1962.


USS Valley Forge, USS FD Roosevelt and USS Forrestal sailing together in 1960

Her 6th TOD with the 6th fleet was between 3 August 1962 and 2 March 1963, this time as flagship, ComCarDiv 4. She took part in several NATO exercises between Atlantic and west Mediterranean, teamling with the newly commissioned nuclear carrier, USS Enterprise, and also British and French aicraft carriers, performing cross deck operations and interoperability exercises with HMS Ark Royal. When one USMC Phantom aboard HMS Ark Royal developmed prblems it was simply absorbed in to the British own fleet of F4s.


CV-59 under the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge

In November 1963, some 21 full-stop landings and takeoffs were made experimentally with a C-130 Hercules, demonstrating it was possible. This was done some 500 nautical miles (930 km) off Massachusetts coast. She setup records which still holds today. The idea was to use the Hercules as a "Super-COD", or "Carrier Onboard Delivery" aircraft for mid-ocean replenishment. In 1964, she took part in Operation Brother Sam, supporting a military coup against Brazilian president João Goulart. On March 15, 1966 she was with the 6th at Palomares, Spain to assist a nuclear disaster cleanup and H-bomb recovery after aa B52 crashed.

Forrestal's tragedy: The great fire of 1967

Forrestal in troubles
USS Forrestal in trouble in the Viet-Nam suffering a fierce fire, one of the worst catastrophies in cold war US naval history

In June 1967, she departed for her first TOF in Vietnam. She was in the Gulf of Tonkin on 29 July, launching aircraft and during four full days, Air Wing 17 flew flew about 150 missions over North Vietnam. On 29 July while another strike was in preparation with the deck full of waiting aircraft being serviced close to launch, full of avgas and weapons loaded, a Zuni rocket from F-4 Phantom (#110) self-ignited (probably due a short) launched itself to impact an armed A-4 Skyhawk #405 on the port side, which dislodged and ruptured her 400-gallon external fuel tank, starting to leak and roll happily over the deck, spraying high octane gasoline over the scorched heated deck.

Soon catching fire, it started a chain reaction that impacted all planes on deck, the heat successively detonating the ordnance and other gasoline tanks. The result was pandemonium on a never seen scale at least since WW2 and unsurpassed in the cold war. For hours, the raging inferno killed 134 and injured 161 while destroying nearly all of the 21 aircraft on deck. Total cost was estimated U$72 million worth of assets. Lieutenant Commander (later Senator) John McCain was the CO that day. The enquiry blamed maintenance head but did not single-out the real reasons of the short at first. Since the, safety made quite a leap forward on, board US Carriers; Apart on USS Enterprise in 1969, again due to a Zuni rocket detonating off Hawaii, this ordnance started to be retired. It whould be said however that at this stage of the war, the bombing campaign was so intense that vintage WW2 bombs were routinely used, showing alarming chemical instability and sometimes general poor condition.

Forrestal's 1970s Service


Forrestal and Ark Royal underway in 1973

After repairs in Norfolk, USS Forrestal was Back in the Mediterranean waters for four more TODs in 1968-1973. And then again three more in 1973, 1974 and 1975. On 22 July 1974 the Turkish invasion of Cyprus prompting an evacuation of U.S. citizens there, in a joint Navy-Marine Corps effort, with notably USS Inchon. In all 466 people were evacuated, US and internationals, with air cover provided. In October 1968 CV-58 she lost an E-2A Hawkeye during a routine night operation recovery, which dove into the water, nose first, loosing three of the crew of five.

On 10 July 1972 while at Pier 12, Norfolk for Maintenance, a fierce fire broke out, set by a disgruntled (later condemned) crewmember at O-3 level computer room under the flight deck. The hole necessitated to pour hundreds of water gallons to douse it and ruin the computer equipment. The firefighting team was so thorough the ship took a severe list. She was repaired at Portsmouth, relieved by USS John F. Kennedy in the Mediterranean and most of the CIC and electronics reserved for USS Nimitz under construction were used to repair her CiC room.

In June 1974, 34 sailors and two officers were present at the 30th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, France, later passed in review by retired General Omar Bradley. On 30 June 1975, the carrier was redesignated a "Multi-purpose Aircraft Carrier" or CV-59, selected as host ship for the NYC International Naval Review and Bicentennial held on 4 July 1976, with President Gerald Ford aboard, admiring 40 tall ships. Next, she took part in a special shock test, detonating high explosives near her hull to appreciate what a near-miss could do with modern ordnance. It was successful as damaged was limited.

This coincided with a 7-month overall ending on September 1977 in Norfolk and she headed for her shakedown to Mayport and from 13 January 1978 made a 3-week Atlantic Fleet Weapons Training Facility (AFWTF) deployment at the Roosevelt Roads Operating Area for TYT-3 and Operational Readiness Evaluation (ORE). However on 15 January 1978 an A-7 Corsair II (VA-81) missed its landing and crashed on the deck, killing 2, wounding 10. The enquiry determined iot was a faulty radio and misinterpretation of approach signal, but he ejected safely. The A-7 percuted and carried for a dozen meters an EA-6B in flames on the aft deck, but fire was quickly extinguished. The specter of 1967 had led indeed to torough training and measures. This happened off St. Augustine, Florida.

Forrestal left Mayport for the Mediterranean again on 4 April 1978 but at 22:00 on 8 April, N°3 Main Machinery Room saw fire reupting just after a drill due to freshly painted thermal insulation inflamed by hot steam lines but quickly doused by the extinguishing system. At midnight on 11 April a fire started on the catapult steam trunk at 01 level and in the adjoining storeroom, this time which need about an hour to be dealt with by the fire brigade. On 10 May 1978 in Guantanamo Bay flooding started due to a faulty pump aft, up to 20 feet (6.1 m) before controlled, spreading into the food storage rooms. The ship's own Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) diver's team managed to enter the pump room and plug the leak.

19-29 May 1978 was NATO Operation Dawn Patrol with air and ground forces, plus 80 ships from six NATO countries and seeing CV-59 covering the Turkish amphibious task group with USS Nimitz and the French carrier Foch. This also saw two air crashes. An A-7E on 24 June 1978, and on 25 June another from VA-83 this time due to a catapult malfunction. It happened in the Ionian Sea, east of Sicily. On 4-19 September, she took part in Northern Wedding, with 40,000 men, 22 submarines, and 800 aircraft from nine NATO countries, teaming with HMS Ark Royal and supporting mock landings in the Shetlands and Jutland. On 28 September-10 October tis was Display Determination final exercise with assets from eight NATO countries in the southern European region, and she operated from Rota, Spain.

On 13 October she trained with USS Saratoga, her air group conducting mock attacks and she was back in Rota. On 15 October she departed Rota to join the Sixth Fleet, relieved by Saratoga. She took part in Windbreakwith 2nd in command Vice Adm. Wesley L. McDonald aboard, to test new waters and gauge Soviet interest towards them. Forrestal reached 62° lat. 150 miles (240 km) south of Iceland in very choppy seas with waves 34 feet (10 m) high and 70 knots (130 km/h) winds in sub-zero temperatures escorted by the missile cruiser USS Harry E. Yarnell and destroyer USS Arthur W. Radford.

Back in Mayport on 26 October she underwent a 4-month upkeep and her Extended Selected Restricted Availability (ESRA), until 27 August 1979, making an emergency sortie due to Hurricane David in her path at the time. She weathered the at sea, emerging in its eye and coming opposite without much damage, only manned with a skeleton crew. She made her 15th Mediterranean cruise (November 1979-May 1980, celebtrating her silver anniversary in October, then making her 16th Mediterranean deployment in March 1981.

Later career: 1980s to 1990s


Principe de Asturias, Wasp, Forrestal and Invincible in a 1991 NATO Mediterranean exercise

On 2 March 1981, she started her 17th Mediterranean deployment, being present for the Syria/Israel missile crisis, staying in high alert on site for 53 days. Whene she was in the Gulf of Sidra for an exercise, two Libyan aircraft were shot down after firing on F-14s from USS Nimitz, over international waters. Forrestal's own air group performed most of the interception of Libyan planes. Next she took part in Ocean Venture '81 held in the Arctic Circle after a refit, made her 18th Med TOD started on 8 June 1982, staying in the eastern Mediterranean as the Lebanon crisis started, covering the landing of 800 U.S. Marines in Beirut. On 12 September 1982, she crossed the Suez Canal for the first time, for the Indian Ocean for operations wth the 7th Fleet, long after being deployed in her short and tragic 1967 Vietnam TOD.

She made a 4.5 months deployment there before arriving in Mayport on 16 November 1982 and entered drydock for her major life overhaul, the Service Life Extension Program (SLEP). She was based in Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in Philadelphia, being overhauled from January 1983, lasting for 28-month, for a career extension estimated to be 15-20 years. When over, she departed on 2 June 1986 for her 19th deployment in the Med, operated in the Tripoli Flight region and taking part in Operation Sea Wind with Egypt, and later Display Determination, with Turkey. In 1987 she made some refresher training and carrier qualification before heading for the North Atlantic for Ocean Safari '87 in Norway.


USS Belknap (CG-26) and USS Forrestal underway in the Mediterranean Sea, 20 August 1988

Back home she went up the Mississippi River and stayed in New Orleans, hosting some 40,000 visitors. She made her 20th major deployment on 25 April 1988, in the North Arabian Sea via Suez for Earnest Will staying 108 consecutive days at sea. She was back home on 7 October 1988 earning the Meritorious Unit Commendation for her last operation. She took part in NYC's "Fleet Week" in May 1989 and in 1989 was awarded thee Marjorie Sterrett Battleship Fund Award for her Atlantic Fleet career. Her 21st major deployment was delayed by a fire in her primary command and control trunk space, injuring 11 sailors and costing millions. She departed on 6 November 1989. Later she assisted President George H. W. Bush during his Malta Summit and was visited by him for long hours. Exercizes there included "Harmonie Sud" (wuth Tunisian forces), and the country's National Week. Back to Mayport on 12 April 1990, she was drydocked until 27 August 1990 for maintenance at Norfolk, having her catapult system upgraded and other changes for the new F/A-18 Hornet.

F-4J Phantom II of VF-74 in flight over USS Forrestal 1981
F-4J Phantom II of VF-74 in flight over USS Forrestal 1981

In 1989 she also took part in a 11-day carrier task force training with SEAL Team Six, South West Caribbean sea, off the Panama and Colombian coasts, for Operation Pokeweed, to apprehend Pablo Escobar. In 1991 she stayed 5 months in full combat readines on the east coast, so her crew was finely trained for Operation Desert Storm but she was not deployed. Her final deployment started on 30 May 1991 in a "transitional" readiness status. For six months she provided air cover and airborne intelligence for Operation Provide Comfort, taking part in new and innovative Sixth Fleet battle group tactics.

She headed afterwards to NAS Pensacola FL, to take her role as training carrier, in place of USS Lexington, redesignated AVT-59. She started her new role on 4 February and visited again New Orleans in May 1992. On 14 September 1992 in Philadelphia NyD she started her last, 14-month and $157 million refit as training carrier but it was cut short in early 1994 as decision was taken to have her decommissionned. This left the Navy without dedicated tranining carrier.

USS Forrestal and USS Saratoga right berthed at the Naval Station Newport RI
USS Forrestal and USS Saratoga right berthed at the Naval Station Newport RI

Decommissioned on 11 September 1993, she was stricken the same day, but kept in long term reserve. On 16 June 1999, the Navy announced she could be allocated to a museum or memorial. However the campaign started by USS Forrestal Museum Inc. never reached the desired funds to proceed to the next step. She removed from donation hold in December 2003, returned to disposal ad after discussions to make her an artificial reef, in 2012 she was scheduled for complete dismantlement as her sister ships, and she was sold to All Star Metals in Brownsville, Texas and BU in 2014-2015. During her 37 years career her numerous mishaps earned her the nicknames of "Forest Fire", "Firestal" and even "Zippo".

USS Saratoga CV-60

Forrestal in troubles
USS Saratoga (CV-60) underway in the Adriatic Sea on 29 July 1992

USS Saratoga was commissioned on 14 April 1956, with CAPT Robert Joseph Stroh in command. For several months, her crew was trained hard: Engineering, flight, steering but also gunnery trials. On 18 August 1956, she made her first shakedown cruise, to Guantanamo Bay. On 19 December, she was back for post-trials fixes in New York Naval Shipyard, until 28 February 1957. She made later a refresher training cruise again in the Caribbean and when judged ready, sailed to take her definitive home port, Naval Station Mayport (FL).

On 6 June 1957, president Dwight D. Eisenhower and his cabinet visited her. They observed operations for two days with eighteen other ships performing antisubmarine warfare and guided missile operations, while the carrier demonstrated very latest bombing and strafing techniques. There was also a non-stop flight overhead of two F8U Crusaders than brand new, taking off from USS BonHomme Richard off the West Coast and flying over USS Saratoga in the Atlantic, making the US continental crossing.

USS Saratoga also took part that year to Regulus guided missile tests, setup and modified to operate this new turbojet powered subsonic guided missile. In fact only six carriers uin the Navy ever launched this nuclear-tipped strategic missile, a first contribtion of the Navy to the US deterrence. She also left Mayport on 3 September 1957 for her first transatlantic voyage, reaching the Norwegian Sea for Operation Strikeback, a joint maneuvers with northern NATO countries. After a stop at Mayport she end the year in refit at Norfolk.

Saratoga's Mediterranean service

USS Saratoga off Barcelona on 12 February 1965 for a naval review
USS Saratoga off Barcelona on 12 February 1965 for a naval review

On 1 February 1958, she made her first TOD in the Mediterranean, with the Sixth Fleet like her sister ship Forrestal. This was the first of yearly deployments there until 1967, eight cruises in all. On the night of 24–25 May 1960, she collided with the German freighter Bernd Leonhardt, off North Carolina. Her flight-deck needed to be repaired, but there was no casualty on the carrier. Repairs were to about 2.5 million German marks, paid to the U.S. Navy.

On 23 January 1961, her number two machinery space erupoted in flames, making seven dead. It was believed to have originated in a ruptured fuel oil line. In Athens a damage survey was made and she went on with her mission until back home for repair. It's only by mid-1964, that Saratoga returned to the Mediterranean, and for 6 months in 1965 visited Naples, Athens, Cannes, Valencia, Istanbul and Malta. The 1966 Med cruise was followed by the 1967, June to December, of routine service without anything notable but a serie of NATO exercises.

In the eastern Mediterranean she witnessed the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. Her medical facility treated survivors of the Israeli attack on USS Liberty. She nearly collided with the missile cruiser USS Little Rock, cutting across her bow during flight operations. It was Saratoga's turning to port after signalling the contrary that put Little Rock in grave danger leading to an investigation. In December 1967 she was caught in a fierce Atlantic storm damaging external catwalks and flight deck as well as boat sponsons.

On 2 January 1968, she was ovehauled at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, for 11 months. On 31 January 1969, she headed for Guantanamo via Hampton Roads and her refresher training before being mobilized on 17 May 1969, to be the host ship for President Richard Nixon, during a demonstration by Carrier Air Wing Three in the Virginia Capes. On 9 July she made her ninth Med TOD while underway followed closely by a November-class submarine en route to Cuba. While off the Azores on 17 July she was shadowed by Soviet aircraft, intercepted, photographed, and escorted out.

With Task Group 60.2, Sixth Fleet she took part in a show of force in the eastern Mediterranean as a Soviet fleet was gathering here, after the hijacking of a TWA plane to Syria plus the coup in Libya. Carrier Wing Three's aircraft were quite busy in a tense situation, agresive manoeuvers from Soviet surface units led by the helicopter carrier Moskva, SE of Crete. Saratgoa was off Lebanon as a crisis developed and on 28 September 1970 was visited again by President Nixon and team.

There was a state of high alert as Gamal Abdel Nasser, President of the United Arab Republic was rumored to had died, with consequences to the Middle East. Intelligence gathering was intense and the president the ship the next evening while she patrolled until the crisis was over. She departed for home on 2 November, arriving in Mayport, and until 10 March 1971, semi-decommissioned. After a sortie off Florida until 7 June she departed for her 7th Med TOD via Scotland to take part in NATO "Magic Sword II" with the RN. Back to Mayport on 31 October she was again placed in restricted availability

USS Saratoga in Vietnam

USS JF Kennedy and USS Saratoga underway
USS JF Kennedy and USS Saratoga underway

On 11 April 1972, she departed Mayport for Subic Bay, Philippines, the main advanced USN base for the late deployment in Vietnam. She entered for the first time to the Western Pacific. On 9 May she departed for Vietnam and took her position at "Yankee Station" on the 18th, the frontline. Until the end of the year she was in the Tonkin Gulf seven times, reclassified in between as a "Multi-purpose Aircraft Carrier" (CV-60), on 30 June 1972. Her air group flew thousands of sorties, and she lost four aircraft and three pilots.

On 21 June, two F-4 Phantoms attacked three MiG-21s over North Vietnam and managed to shot down one. Her air group targeted enemy troop concentrations notably in the petroleum storage areas northeast of Hanoi. She lost an F-4 to enemy fire NE Hanoi and flew 708 sorties. On 6 August, LT Jim Lloyd (VA-105) lost his A-7 Corsair to a SAM near Vinh, ejecting into enemy territory adn recuperated after a daring rescue by helicopters, lifted in the midst of enemy soldiers back to Saratoga. On 10 August one of her CAP jet fighters shot down an intercepted lone MiG at night with its AIM-7 Sparrow missiles.

On 2-19 September 1972 her aor group made 800 strike missions over North Vietnam and on 20 October alone, 83 close air support sorties were made for six hours to support 250 SVA Territorials surrounded by the NVA 48th Regimentand action which saved the small force and even allowed the ARVN to advance. Her last week in Vietnam, her air group was hammering many targets in North Vietnam and she lef "Yankee Station" for Subic Bay on 7 January 1973. Via Singapore and Suez, she sailed back to Mayport, arriving on 13 February 1973.

Later years 1980s


USS_Saratoga_underway_1985

She was affected to the North Atlantic Fleet and in 1975 took part in NATO Locked Gate-75, to contain the influence of the Portuguese Communist Party in Portugal after the Carnation Revolution, even entering the Tagus River delta and closing to the Presidential Palace of Belém. By January 1976 she made another Med TOD, with VS-22, newly constituted to flew the S-3A Viking ASW aircraft for it's first deployment. She was also present during the Lebanon crisis in 1976.

On 3 October 1978, she made a new Med TOD, until 5 April 1979. On 21 November she collided with the replenishment oiler Waccamaw while 50 miles (80 km) south of Crete during a refuelling operation that turned badly. She only suffered minor damage. after conveying CVW-3 in her 16th Med TOD. She teamed with USS Forrestal battle group and hosted CNO ADM Thomas B. Hayward. On 28 September 1980, a month after returning to Mayport, she was in Philadelphia for her 28-month SLEP overhaul, at the time the most extensive industrial overhaul ever performed on any Navy ship.

USS Saratoga in fact was the very first of the class to test the Service Life Extension Program overhaul. She was back for sea trials on 16 October 1982, applauded by a huge crowd of "Philly" residents as "Super Sara." She later departed Mayport for her 17th Med TOD on 2 April 1984 and later in 1985 her 18th deployment. But the latter was quite special: On 10 October the Italian luxury liner Achille Lauro, was hijacked by terrorists from the Palestinian PLF. Negociations partly failed and the hijackers went ashore at Port Said while Egyptian authorities tried to convinced the terrorists to depart, boarding an Egypt Air 737 at Al Maza Air Base, NW Cairo.

President Ronald Reagan ordered Saratoga's seven F-14 Tomcats from VF-74 "Bedevilers" and VF-103 "Sluggers" to scrambled, supported by VA-85 Grumman KA-6D air tankers and E-2C Hawkeye (VAW-125), which encountered the Egyptian jet off Crete. They surrounded the civilian jetliner, turned on their lights and dipped their wings to urge them to do a forced landing. The hijackers were convinced to follow the Tomcats to Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy. There, the hijackers were arrested and all Saratog air group was back. Mission accomplished without a shot fired, now an example of perfectly successful forced landing mission.

On 23 March 1986, while off Libya, the combined air groups of USS Saratoga, Coral Sea and America willfully crossed Muammar al-Gaddafi's "Line of Death" while ships later in turn crossed the contested navigational line. Libyan forces fired SA-5 Gammon SAMs from Surt, missing the F-14 Tomcats. Later two Libyan MiG-25s were intercepted and forced to turn back over the Gulf of Sidra. Next, the Libyan Navy attacked and an A-6E Intruder fired Rockeye cluster bombs and a Harpoon cruise missile at a Libyan missile patrol boat on the "Line of Death", resulting in its destruction. The night saw two A-7E Corsair II destroying a radar installation at Surt and two more Libyan patrol boats destroyed.

On 22 September 1987, an F-14 Tomcat (VF-74) of NAS Oceana, Virginia Beach (VA) operating from Saratoga shot down by accident while training a USAAF RF-4C Phantom II from the 26th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing. It was coming out of Zweibrücken Air Base in West Germany for NATO "Display Determination 87". Pilots ejected and were rescued bu Saratoga's helicopter while the pilot was disciplined and removed from service. Saratoga made her 19th Med TOD from June 1987 before another overhaul at Norfolk for $280 million.

Operation Desert Storm and retirement

USS Saratoga's island, back from Desert Storm
USS Saratoga back from Desert Storm

CVA-60 with her airwing CVW-17, took part in Operation Desert Storm from the Red Sea. It happened while she lost 21 crewmembers in a ferry boat accident off Haifa. The gulf was would gave her thje occasion of setting up two records: Six transits of the Suez Canal and 11,000 aircraft launch and recovery cycles. Saddam Hussein boasted on Iraqi television he sunk "lady sara" and other Coalition vessels which was of course fake news, but launching SCUDS nevertheless. One of these indeed flew in the "general direction" of the carrier and while tracked by radar, missed 100 nautical miles... She would have one A-6E Intruder short down over Iraq and Bombardier/Navigator LT Jeffrey Zaun later paraded before cameras by its captors but later freed and able to return to Saratoga. The carrier also covered SEALs making the first wartime boardings of merchant shipping in the Red Sea later for Operation Desert Shield.

Back in her Mediterranean routine she was in the midst of a serious incident with a NATO member in the fall of 1992. It happened in "Exercise Display Determination 1992", under command of ADM Jeremy Michael Boorda, USN. The two multinational teams mimicked opposite forced and VADM T. Joseph Lopez led the "Brown Forces" (with Saratog and Cruiser-Destroyer Group 8) leading a defence against the opposing "Green Forces", with the Turkish destroyer minelayer TCG Muavenet under command of Admiral Kroon, NL Navy.

The "enhanced tactical" phase saw the Brown Forces attempting an amphibious landing at Saros Bay defended by Green Forces. ADM Boorda ordered units to seek and destroy each other. These simulated attacks went AWHOL when on 30 September 1992, Saratoga's combat direction center tactical action officer (TAO) decided to launch a simulated attack using the RIM-7 Sea Sparrow,securing the approval of the CO and battle group commander, RADM Philip Dur. However certain members of the missile firing team were not told this was a drill and believed it an actual event and ended firing a live missile, due to further miscommunication.

Two live Sea Sparrow missiles targeted at TGC Muavenet were effectively lanched, and struck the destroyer in the bridge, destroying it and it's CIC as well as killing the commanding officer, four others, while injuring most of the remaining officers. On recommdendation later after enquiry, Saratoga's captain and seven other officers were disciplined and Turkey received the flattest state apologies.

Eventually, USS Saratoga was decommissioned at NAS Mayport on 20 August 1994, stricken and later towed to Philadelphia in May 1995 for full deactivation at Philadelphia Navy Yard, which proceeded from August 1998. She was next towed for preservation at NAS Newport in Rhode Island and placed on donation hold, but sold as "disposal as an experimental ship" and back to donation hold in 2000. Some efforts were made to convert her as a museum ship in Quonset Point, North Kingstown but this went to nil and in April 2010 she was removed from donation hold.

Efforts were also made earlier for the same purpose in 1994–95, but in Jacksonville, Florida but the fundraising campaign failed and on 8 May 2014, Naval Sea Systems Command announced that ESCO Marine in Brownsville, Texas was to receive the ship for demolition, for a symbolic one cent. She made her last towed trip on 21 August 2014, and arrived on 16 September. The scrapping was over 31 March 2019, before as the COVID pandemic stroke the US. Her anchors were recycled into the new carrier Harry S. Truman (Ford class). Her badge comprised a rooster and the latin inscription "Invictus Gallus Gladiator".

USS Ranger CV-61


USS Ranger sea trials, with USS Leyte (CVS) nearby at Norfolk.

USS Ranger, second carrier of the name, was commissioned at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, on 10 August 1957, with Captain Charles T. Booth II in command. She departed for sea trials afterwards and joined the U.S. Atlantic Fleet on 3 October, before making her shakedown cruiser for Guantánamo Bay in Cuba while receiving aboard Attack Squadron 85 for air operations qualification and exercises, followed by final Navy acceptance trials between the eastern seaboard and Caribbean Sea. This was concluded on 20 June 1958. Departed Norfolk with 200 Naval Reserve officer she sailed for a two-month cruise down south around Cape Horn and back to her future homeport for years NAS Alameda, (CA) on 20 August, Pacific Fleet unlike her two sisters assigned to the Atlantic fleet. Her sister ship Independence also was sscheduled for the Pacific.

WestPac deployments

USS Ranger in pearl Harbor 1959
USS Ranger in Pearl Harbor 1959

This year saw further pilot qualification training (Air Group 14), fleet exercises and making her final training cruise from 3 January 1959 until 17 February to Hawaii and back, and as flagship, Rear Admiral Henry H. Caldwell of Carrier Division Two (CarDiv 2) and the 7th Fleet. Off Okinawa at first she operated with SEATO naval off Subic Bay in the Philippines, including a special weapons warfare exercise and patrolling south of Japan (WestPac TOD) making a record 7,000 sorties and back to San Francisco Bay on 27 July followed by a 6 months low readiness state.

She received Carrier Air Group 9 and departed Alameda on 6 February 1960 for her 2nd WestPac TOD and back on 30 August. Until 8 March 1962, the made a third deployment. Intensive training off the western seaboard was followed by another deplyment in Southeast Asia, departing from 9 November to Hawaii, and via Okinawa to the Philippines, Subic Bay. Her first deployment was in the South China Sea on 1 May 1963 as Laos needed help. The local crisis eased up on 4 May, and she resumed normal operations with the 7th Fleet. She was back at her home port on 14 June 1963 for an overhaul at San Francisco NyD from 7 August 1963 to 10 February 1964. After her refresher training on 25 March she cruiseed to Hawaii until 10 July.

Ranger at Pearl in 1962


In May 1964 however she was sent briefly near French Polynesia to monitor French nuclear tests on Moruroa, launching and recovering a Lockheed U-2 from its flight deck. Tests and modifications were performed already by late 1963, recording just one landing accident (pilot Bob Schumacher). Next she resumed her next WastPac cruise on 6 August.

Vietnam War

USS Ranger off Hawaii 1967
USS Ranger off Hawaii 1967

This time, the Gulf of Tonkin incident prompter special preparations and she was rushed for it to Pearl Harbor on 10 August and back to Subic Bay and Yokosuka. On 17 October 1964, she was flagship, Rear Admiral Miller FCTF (Fast Carrier Task Force) 77, 7th Fleet, monitoring sea lanes, stopping Communist seaborne infiltrations.

General William Westmoreland visited Ranger on 9 March 1965 to discuss collaboration army-navy with Rear Admiral Miller. The carrier started a serie of coordinated air strikes until 13 April. This day she had her first serious accident as a fuel line broke, which ignited and engulfed her first main machinery. The fire was extinguished in an hour but there was a single fatality. Back on Subic Bay on 15 April she went back home to Alameda in May and San Francisco Naval Shipyard for repairs and overhaul until 30 September 1965.

After her refresher training cruise she departed on 10 December 1965 for the 7th Fleet with Carrier Air Wing 14 (awarded a Navy Unit Commendation for operations 10 January-6 August 1966). She was in Gulf of Tonkin until 6 August and headed for Subic Bay and later via Yokosuka for Alameda on the 25th, followed by an overhaul at Puget Sound until 30 May 1967, followed by training on the west coast. On 21 July 1967 was celebrated her 88,000th carrier landing.

Until November she made intensive training to reach perfect combat readiness status before high-level operations in the far east, and received Attack Carrier Air Wing 2 (CVW-2) on 15 September 1967, for the first time receiving the new A-7 Corsair II and UH-2C Seasprite rescue helicopter, the first carrier to have them operational. After a refresher training she took part in "Moon Festival" exercize (9-16 October). She departed Alameda on 4 November 1967 for Yokosuka and relieved USS Constellation. She was in Philippines on the 24th, followed by final preparations and combat operations in the Gulf of Tonkin at Yankee station, carrying CarDiv3 CinC on 30 November for TG 77.7.

She started war operations on 3 December 1967 over North Vietnam, for five very intensive months. Her air groups targeted a large variety of targets, included dangerous ones such as AA guns and SAM sites. Air Wing 2 was celebrated by Bob Hope's Christmas Show live on 21 December. Her crew rested at Yokosuka in April and she was back to Yankee Station the same month. In January 1968 however the CIA manned intel ship Pueblo was seized by North Korea and Ranger rushed north at full speed for Operation Formation Star which concluded a continuous deployment of 65 days. Her crew rested at Sasebo for several days before she returned to Yankee Station. She sailed to Hong Kong on 5 May 1968 before departing for home.

She entered Puget Sound and in late July was in San Francisco. The crew had three months of well deserved leave before she made yet another WestPac from 26 October 1968, until 17 May 1969. In October she became flagship, RadM J.C. Donaldson, CiC CarDiv 3 under command of Captain J.P. Moorer. She stayed there until 18 May 1970 with two intense service tours at Yankee Statio, the second one of "only" 45 days as she experienced mechanical problems. She hosted again Bob Hope show on 24 December 1969. She left Yankee for Sasebo and to patrol the coast of Korea after NK aviaiton forced down a US C-130 and captured the crew.

Ranger was held on station to fly missioned over Cambodia and left Yankee Station for Subic Bay and Sasebo before proceeding back to Alameda (1 June). The summer was spent training on the west coast followed by her sixth WestPac cruise (October 1970). On 10 March 1971 she operated with USS Kitty Hawk in support to the troops, setting an absolute record of 233 daily strike sorties over North Vietnam. Task Force 77 at the time comprised USS Ranger, Kitty Hawk and Hancock at Yankee Station. Organization had one carrier always operational on daylight hours the other doing a night shift. The mission was the interdiction of major Laotian corridors to South Vietnam. She was back to her home port on 7 June 1971 and until early 1972 was in overhaul.

On 27 May 1972 she was back for her 7th WastPac TOD, delayed as she lost engines after fireman E-3 Patrick Chenoweth was accused of dropping a heavy paint scraper into a main reduction gear. This was not isolated, but one of many petty acts of sabotage she suffered from 7 June to October 1972. Through the court-martial was more lenient than the 30 years reclusion asked for at first.

On 18 December 1972 Linebacker II started as Paris peace negociations nearly stopped. USS Ranger was assisted by USS Enterprise, Saratoga, Oriskany, and America, for months of saily bombing missions over North Vietnam, Navy aircraft being task of detailed strikes against SAM and AA sites. They also targeted military installation and petroleum storage areas as well as targeting Haiphong, disrupting railroad and truck stations. These tactical sorties focused on the coast between Hanoi and Haiphong until 29 December when negociation resumed. On 27 January 1973 a cease-fire stopped all sorties from Yankee Station and Ranger was prepared to be sent back home.

Back to Alameda in August 1973 she was placed in refit at Long Beach in order to start her eighth WESPAC for 90 days. Her training went on preior to that until April 1974 and she departed on 7 May, for Yankee Station, covering US force withdrawal. She was back to Alameda on 18 October and made her 9th deployment from 28 May 1976, carrying several helicopter detachments to assist in Philippine disaster relief efforts after a flood, evacuating 1,900 people and bringing 370,000 pounds of relief supplies, 9,340 US gallons of fuel via helicopters.

On 12 July 1976, with Task Force 77.7 she entered the Indian Ocean for the first time in response of a possible coup in Kenya by Ugandan forces after the Israeli hostages rescue at Entebbe Airport. In February 1977she departed NAS North Island for Puget Sound and her major overhaul (not SLEP though) until March 1978 followed by shakedown cruises and sea trials. On 21 February 1979 she made her 14th WestPac cruise and made a show of force in the Indian Ocean due to the situation between North and South Yemen.

On 5 April 1979, she collided with the tanker MV Fortune southeast of Singapore while underway in the busy Straits of Malacca. Ranger had a gash in her bow, forced to be examined at Subic Bay, and be temporarily repaired before proceedeing for Yokosuka and full repair. The tanker was far more damaged and provoked a major spill in the region, an ecological disaster as 10,000 tonnes of crude oil was on the loose at the time measures agains these disasters locally were practically inexistant.

Later years: The 1980s

USS Ranger (CV-61) aerial port bow view, 1983
USS Ranger (CV-61) aerial port bow view, 1983

In September 1980 USS Ranger departed San Diego, her new homeport, for a 15th WestPac and a presence in the Indian Ocean via Malacca strait, joining GONZO Station, a show of force during the Iran hostage crisis 10th month. After 120 days seeing a hostage release on 20 January 1981 she was awarded the Navy Expeditionary Medal and was back home on 5 May 1981. On 20 March she had a new captain, Dan Pedersen and under his command, rescued 138 Vietnamese boat people in the South China Sea. They were brought to UNHCR Manila. Pedersen however was blamed by Vice Adm. Robert F. Schoultz, COMNAVAIRPAC for the death of Airman Paul Trerice in the onboard correctional custody unit for indubordination.

USS Ranger on 21 March 1983 saw an all-woman flight crew flying a C-1A Trader from VRC-40 "Truckin' Traders" landed aboard, a first in the Navy. On 1 November 1983, a fuel spill caused a fire in #4 Main Machinery Room during a fuel transfer operation off the North Arabian Sea and Oman. Six crewmen were killed and the fire stopped a machinery room and damaged a shaft. There was an investigation in 1984 and measures taken for this to never happen again, revising fuel transfer procedures. By early 1985 she was mobilized for the movie Top Gun and in 1986 figured USS Enterprise for Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. On 14 July 1987 she made her "Pearl" Anniversary Cruise, relieving USS Midway in the Indian Ocean and taking part to Operation Earnest Will protecting Kuwait tankers during the Iran-Iraq war raging on and the read sea in danger.

USS ranger shadowed by a Soviet TU-16 in 1989
USS ranger shadowed by a Soviet TU-16 in 1989

On 24 July 1987, she received a brand new unit for the first time in the USN, Tactical Electronics Warfare Squadron 131 (VAQ-131) equipped with the brand new Grumman EA-6B Prowler, equipped with AGM-88 HARM missiles. On 19 October 1987 she covered the attack of Iranian Oil platforms as part of Operation Nimble Archer in response to a missile attack on MV Sea Isle City, a Kuwaiti oil tanker. On 3 August 1989 she was further east, rescuing 39 Vietnamese refugees adrift in the South China Sea 80 miles from NAS Cubi Point in the monsoon, by rotation of her SH-3s Sea Kings and Sea Knights after being discovered by an A-6 Intruder.

Operation Desert Storm and retirement

Last visit to Japan, 1992
Last visit to Japan, 1992

On 16 January 1991 Operation Desert Storm commenced and 228 sorties from Ranger and Midway were launched in the Persian Gulf, soon joined by USS Theodore Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Saratoga, and America, all from the Red Sea added to the 100 Tomahawk missiles from nine ships. One of Ranger's A-6E Intruders was shot down off the Iraqi coast by AA on 18 January 1991. She was laying MK36 naval mines to blockade the Iraqi naval base at Umm Qasr. She resumed operations with "Battle Force Zulu" (Ranger, Midway, Theodore Roosevelt, America) and on 26 January her EA-6B Prowlers off Bubiyan Island attacked Iraqi tankers with AGM-123 Skipper missiles, sinking one.

USS Ranger's island, back from Desert Storm
USS Ranger's island, back from Desert Storm

On 6 February one of her F-14A Tomcats (VF-1) shot down an Iraqi Mi-8 Hip with a Sidewinder missile. The operation caeased soon afterwards. On 21 April 1992 she took part in the WWII 50th-anniversary festivities, re-enacting the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo with two B-25 bombers on board, greeting 1,500 guests to witness these taking off. In June 1991 she visited Vancouver. After preparartions she made her 21st and last WestPac, Indian Ocean deployments from 1st August, entering Yokosuka for upkeep before proceeding to the Persian Gulf (14 September) via Hormuz, relieving Independence. Carrier Air Wing 2 started flying patrol missions to enforce the No Fly zone in southern Iraq, called Operation Southern Watch in coordination with the RAF and RN.

Together with British, and French naval forces she assisted the Russian guided missile destroyer Admiral Vinogradov for an exercise in which a Russian Kamov Ka-27 "Helix" helicopter landed aboard Ranger, a first and last occurrence, unthinkable later. These were the Eltsine years. Departing the Persian Gulf on 4 December 1992 she rushed to the coast of Somalia, participating in the large relief effort (Operation Restore Hope) and later Operation Southern Watch and Operation Restore Hope, receiving for the first time satellite digital pictures, to any US Navy ship at sea. This was the start of a new digital era.

On 19 December 1992, she was relieved by USS Kitty Hawk and went back to San Diego, pending her fate. At that stage, her age was showing. She never benefited from SLEP (the only one stroke by the 1980s budget cuts) and by the early 1990s, her general condition was poor. Due to more recommended cuts her retirement as for Forrestal and Saratoga became an evidence. She was decommissioned on 10 July 1993 (36 years of service and 13 battle stars).

She stayed at the Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility in Bremerton, Washington, a choice subituted to a first planned refit to allow her to stay active until 2002, a FY1994 rejected plan. By September 2010 a not-for-profit USS Ranger Foundation was created to donate the ship and turn her as a museum on the Columbia River (Chinook Landing Marine Park, Fairview, Oregon), but it was rejected in 2012 and the ship was prepared for scrapping from 29 May 2014. Depite a petition to have her preserved as she was at Long Beach harbor, the scrapping proceeded forward as she was awared for a symbolic one cent on 22 December 2014, to International Shipbreaking of Brownsville, Texas, proceeding from 12 July 2015 until 1 November 2017.

USS Independence CV-62


USS Independence fitting out at New York NyD while CVS-6 USS Enterpise is awaiting disposal, 22 June 1958.

USS Independence was commissioned on 10 January 1959 after five years of construction at New York NyD, conducted shakedown training under command of Captain R. Y. McElroy. Her first landing-on was done on 2 March 1959. She was designated her homeport, Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia on 30 June 1959. Next came her shakedown ten-week training cruise in the Caribbean, with compatibility tests and for the first time, operation of the Douglas A3D Skywarrior, the largest USN bomber so far with 84,000 pounds (38,000 kg).

Independence's Atlantic Mediterranean 1960s service

1959 shakedown cruise
1959 shakedown cruise

USS Independence after extra training off the Virginia Capes departed from her home port on 4 August 1960 for her first Mediterranean Tour of Duty/Deployment (TOD). She was there to add weight in peace-keeping operations of the 6th Fleet in the eastern Mediterranean until back in Norfilk on 3 March 1961. On 4 August 1961 she made her 2nd Med ToD with the 6th fleet until 19 December and 3rd on 19 April 1962 this time to bolster President John F. Kennedy's stand on Berlin. On 11 October she trained on the the Caribbean Sea and on 24 October was presetn during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, to enforce the blockade off Puerto Rico. Eventually quarantine operationsended and she was back in Norfolk on 25 November, making a refresher training out of Guantanamo Bay.

She departed on 6 August 1963 for a NATO ecercize in the Bay of Biscay, with the Royal Navy and Marine Nationale. She entered the Mediterranean on 21 August, taking part in more NATO exercises, and visited by President Makarios of Cyprus on 7 October 1963. Next she made close cooperation U.S.-Italian exercises in the Adriatic followed by a bilateral U.S.-French exercise where she was "targeted" by French interceptors a a surface action with the French cruiser Colbert abd was back to Norfolk on 4 March 1964.

After training from New York to NAS Mayport in Florida, she departed on 8 September 1964 for NATO exercises in the Norwegian Sea and off France, underway to Gibraltar and back to Norfolk on 5 November, followed by an overhail, which ended in May 1965.

USS Independence in Vietnam


F-4Bs from VF-41 launched from USS Independence in 1965

From there, for seven months and 100 days in the South China Sea, CV 62 was deployed for her tout of duty in Vietnam with the 7th fleet, carrying the Carrier Air Wing 7 and gaining there a Navy Unit Commendation for exceptionally meritorious service (5 June-21 November 1965) when operations were the most intensive. Her air group took part in many coordinated strikes on the Hanoi-Haiphong complex, her planes all successfully evading the most massive SAM defence in aviation history, destroying its assigned surface-to-air missile installation targets. All in all her air group carried out 7,000 sorties, day and night, destroying many valuable military and logistic supply facilities in North Vietnam.

Back to normal operations 1966-1979


USS Independence (CVA-62) underway at sea, circa 1971

Independence after a stop in Norfolk from 13 December 1965 replenished and trained after a well-deserve crew leave. On 4 May 1966 she took part in Operation Strikex and from 13 June was back with the 6th fleet for NATO operations and exercises untim December. She was back with CONUS in early 1967, before returning for an overhaul at Norfolk, leaving on 19 September and by 30 April 1968, back in the Mediterranean for nine-months and back on 27 January 1969.

On 3 September she sailed out of Norfolk for NATO exercises in the North Atlantic (NORLANT), making cross-deckings of Hawker Siddeley Harrier until back on 9 October. She was back in the Med by 23 June 1970 and home again on 31 January 1971, earning the Meritorious Unit Commendation after her service against the PLO (Jordanian crisis). On 25 September 1970 indeed there was a crisis developing in the Middle East and she was put in standby for the evacuation of U.S. citizens and counter a massive Soviet Mediterranean fleet deployment.

VMA-142, -131 and -133 started pilot qualification landings on A-4 Skyhawks on 3 August 1971 and for the first time Marine Corps Reserve squadrons qualified in carrier duty. By September 1971 she departed Norfolk and her crew gained the 'Blue Nose' when crossing the Arctic Circle on 28 September. She conducted cross-deck operations with HMS Ark Royal, and via the Channel she reached the Strait of Gibraltar for Mediterranean operations. In May 1973, she hosted President Richard M. Nixon for his annual Armed Forces Day address. Next she was in the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean and until October 1973 as TG 60.1, with TG 60.2 (Franklin D. Roosevelt), and TG 61/62 (USS Guadalcanal) for a possible evacuation in the Middle East (Yom Kippur War), staying off Crete.

In 1974 she departed Norfolk for he new 'Med Cruise' with CTG 60.1 and CVW-7 and relieving Franklin D. Roosevelt, Independence and Saratoga. By 8 September 1974 they learned for the bombing of TWA Flight 841 and were soon on the crash site, spending days retrieving remains. On 20 June 1979, Lt. Donna L. Spruill qualified onboard as the first female Navy pilot, on a C-1A Trader.

1980-1990, SLEP and Pacific service


USS Independence and Kitty Hawk in Pearl Harbor

On 19 November 1980, she carried CAW-6 (Carrier Air Wing Six) to the Indian Ocean escorted by the missile cruiser USS Harry E. Yarnell at "Gonzo Station" as Pdt. Reagan taking office wanted the Iranian Hostages being freed. She later transited the Suez Canal and completed a 204 days deployment at sea. She was in the Persian Gulf to reiforce Nimitz TF under command of Thomas E. Shanahan. She then returned south and through the Indian Ocean to Perth and Fremantle in Western Australia, visited on 2-7 February. In 1982 she was part of the multinational peacekeeping force in Lebanon. Forrestal, Independence, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy stayed as a show of power in the eastern Mediterranean Sea until departing back to Norfolk.

In late October 1983, USS Independence's battle group 4 was assigned to the 2th Fleet, becoming TG 20.5, deployed to support the Invasion of Grenada deployed from 25 October 1983. Later that year she was back in Lebanon that same year and her air group conducted air strikes against Syrian positions. On 17 February 1985 she was in Philadelphia NyD doe an overhaul and modernization called SLEP, expected to extend her active life for 15 more years. It was over and she sailed on 15 August 1988 from Norfolk to change home port, crossing the Cape Horn, at NAS North Island, San Diego, California. She arrived on 8 October.

She starred briefly in the movie Intruder (1991) in November 1989. In June 1990 she carried Carrier Air Wing 14 for her first WESTPAC. On 2 August as Iraq's invaded Kuwait she led TG 800.1 (escorted by USS Jouett, CG-29) to take part in Operation Desert Shield, arriving on station in the Gulf of Oman on 5 August and remaining on station for 112 days until back to San Diego on 20 December. She was given a new home port from 11 September 1991, Yokosuka in Japan, with Carrier Air Wing 5. She became the only permanently forward-deployed US CV, and acted as local flagship for Carrier Group Five CiC.

On 23 August 1992 under Captain Carter B. Refo, she was back in the Persian Gulf to enforce an Allied ban on Iraqi flights and surveillance missions in southern Iraq and to enforce Resolution 688 related to the repression of the Shiite population in southern Iraq. Operation Southern Watch mobilized 20 Navy aircraft from CVW-5 (USS Independence), and thus, became the carried became most battle experienced of the entire US Navy fleet, awarded other distinctions on 30 June 1995, like the rarely attributed Revolution-era First Navy Jack "Don't Tread on Me" flag, that she flew fro her bow until decommission.


Grumman EA-6B Prowler (VAQ-136) launched from USS Independence, 13 March 1996

By November 1995, she was back in Japan as Operation Southern Watch ended. She was present newt in the Third Taiwan Strait Crisis, joined by USS Nimitz when China was growingly agressive towards Taiwan. She was back to Yokosuka in April 1996, visited by President Bill Clinton during his state visit. In 1997 she made a 4-month deployment for several exercizes with the JMSDF, stopping in seven ports and notably Guam, first aircraft carrier in 36 years. Port Klang, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and back in the Persian Gulf in January 1998 as negotiations between the UN and Iraq stalled. In Yokosuka she was relieved by USS Kitty Hawk and returned home. She was decommissioned in ceremonies at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Washington, 30 September 1998. She had been in active servive for 39 years, 9 months and 20 days while the "Don't Tread on Me" Jack was transferred to USS Kitty Hawk.

After decommission and 5.5 years mothball she was stricken for good on 8 March 2004, being cannibalized along the way for the Kitty Hawk-class aircraft carriers, and Nimitz-class USS George H.W. Bush (anchors). As for her sisters discussions to convert her as a museum ship led to nowhere but by April 2004, Navy officials wanted her part of 24 decommissioned ships to be sunk as artificial reefs. Instead she was to be dismantled as USS Constellation and towed after being sold on 26 January 2012 from Puget Sound Naval Shipyard to Brownsville, Texas, by International Shipbreaking Limited in 2017, until 2019. Her badge featured "liberty bell" at Philly's Old State House Bell.

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☸ To read for a better understanding of this website

❢ Abbreviations & acronyms
    AAAnti-Aircraft
    AAW// warfare
    AASAmphibious Assault Ship
    AdmAdmiral
    AEWAirbone early warning
    AGAir Group
    AFVArmored Fighting Vehicle
    AMGBarmoured motor gunboat
    APArmor Piercing
    APCArmored Personal Carrier
    ASAntisubmarine
    ASMAir-to-surface Missile
    ASMDAnti Ship Missile Defence
    ASROCASW Rockets
    ASWAnti Submarine Warfare
    ASWRLASW Rocket Launcher
    ATWahead thrown weapon
    avgasAviation Gasoline
    awAbove Waterline
    AWACSAirborne warning & control system
    BBBattleship
    bhpbrake horsepower
    BLBreach-loader (gun)
    BLRBreach-loading, Rifled (gun)
    BUBroken Up
    ccirca
    CAArmoured/Heavy cruiser
    Capt.Captain
    CalCaliber or ".php"
    CGMissile Cruiser
    CICCombat Information Center
    C-in-CCommander in Chief
    CIWSClose-in weapon system
    CECompound Expansion (engine)
    ChChantiers ("Yard", FR)
    CLCruiser, Light
    cmcentimeter(s)
    CMBCoastal Motor Boat
    CMSCoastal Minesweeper
    CNOChief of Naval Operations
    CpCompound (armor)
    CoCompany
    COBCompound Overhad Beam
    CODAGCombined Diesel & Gas
    CODOGCombined Diesel/Gas
    COGAGCombined Gas and Gas
    COGOGCombined Gas/Gas
    commcommissioned
    compcompleted
    convconverted
    convlconventional
    COSAGCombined Steam & Gas
    CRCompound Reciprocating
    CRCRSame, connecting rod
    CruDivCruiser Division
    CPControlled Pitch
    CTConning Tower
    CTLconstructive total loss
    CTOLConv. Take off & landing
    CTpCompound Trunk
    cucubic
    CylCylinder(s)
    CVAircraft Carrier
    CVA// Attack
    CVE// Escort
    CVL// Light
    CVS// ASW support
    cwtHundredweight
    DADirect Action
    DASHDrone ASW Helicopter
    DCDepht Charge
    DCT// Track
    DCR// Rack
    DCT// Thrower
    DDDestroyer/drydock
    DEDouble Expansion
    DEDestroyer Escort
    DDE// Converted
    DesRonDestroyer Squadron
    DFDouble Flux
    D/FDirection(finding)
    DPDual Purpose
    DUKWAmphibious truck
    DyDDockyard
    EOCElswick Ordnance Co.
    ECMElectronic Warfare
    ESMElectronic support measure
    FFarenheit
    FCSFire Control System
    FFFrigate
    fpsFeet Per Second
    ftFeets
    FYFiscal Year
    galgallons
    GMMetacentric Height
    GPMGGeneral Purpose Machine-gun
    GRPFiberglass
    GRTGross Tonnage
    GUPPYGreater Underwater Prop.Pow.
    HAHigh Angle
    HCHorizontal Compound
    HCR// Reciprocating
    HCDA// Direct Acting
    HCDCR// connecting rod
    HDA// direct acting
    HDAC// acting compound
    HDAG// acting geared
    HDAR// acting reciprocating
    HDMLHarbor def. Motor Launch
    H/FHigh Frequency
    HF/DF// Directional Finding
    HMSHer Majesty Ship
    HNHarvey Nickel
    HNCHorizontal non-condensing hp
    HPHigh Pressure
    hphorizontal
    HQHeadquarter
    HRHorizontal reciprocating
    HRCR// connecting rod
    HSHarbor Service
    HS(E)Horizontal single (expansion)
    HSET// trunk
    HTHorizontal trunk
    HTE// expansion
    ICInverted Compound
    IDAInverted direct acting
    IFFIdentification Friend or Foe
    ihpindicated horsepower
    IMFInshore Minesweeper
    inInche(s)
    ircironclad
    KCKrupp, cemented
    kgKilogram
    KNC// non cemented
    kmKilometer
    kt(s)Knot(s)
    kwkilowatt
    ibpound(s)
    LALow Angle
    LCLanding Craft
    LCA// Assault
    LCAC// Air Cushion
    LFC// Flak (AA)
    LCG// Gunboat
    LCG(L)/// Large
    LCG(M)/// Medium
    LCG(S)/// Small
    LCI// Infantry
    LCM// Mechanized
    LCP// Personel
    LCP(R)/// Rocket
    LCS// Support
    LCT// Tanks
    LCV// Vehicles
    LCVP/// Personal
    LCU// Utility
    locolocomotive (boiler)
    LSCLanding ship, support
    LSD// Dock
    LSF// Fighter (direction)
    LSM// Medium
    LSS// Stern chute
    LST// Tank
    LSV// Vehicle
    LPlow pressure
    lwllenght waterline
    mmetre(s)
    MModel
    MA/SBmotor AS boat
    maxmaximum
    MGMachine Gun
    MGBMotor Gunboat
    MLSMinelayer/Sweeper
    MLMotor Launch
    MMSMotor Minesweper
    MTMilitary Transport
    MTBMotor Torpedo Boat
    HMGHeavy Machine Gun
    MCM(V)Mine countermeasure Vessel
    minminute(s)
    MkMark
    MLMuzzle loading
    MLR// rifled
    MSOOcean Minesweeper
    mmmillimetre
    NCnon condensing
    nhpnominal horsepower
    nmNautical miles
    Number
    NBC/ABCNuc. Bact. Nuclear
    NSNickel steel
    NTDSNav.Tactical Def.System
    NyDNaval Yard
    oaOverall
    OPVOffshore Patrol Vessel
    PCPatrol Craft
    PDMSPoint Defence Missile System
    pdrpounder
    ppperpendicular
    psipounds per square inch
    PVDSPropelled variable-depth sonar
    QFQuick Fire
    QFC// converted
    RAdmRear Admiral
    RCRadio-control/led
    RCRreturn connecting rod
    recRectangular
    revRevolver
    RFRapid Fire
    RPCRemote Control
    rpgRound per gun
    SAMSurface to air Missile
    SARSearch Air Rescue
    sbSmoothbore
    SBShip Builder
    SCSub-chaser (hunter)
    SSBNBallistic Missile sub.Nuclear
    SESimple Expansion
    SET// trunk
    SGSteeple-geared
    shpShaft horsepower
    SHsimple horizontal
    SOSUSSound Surv. System
    SPRsimple pressure horiz.
    sqsquare
    SSSubmarine (Conv.)
    SSMSurface-surface Missile
    subsubmerged
    sfsteam frigate
    SLBMSub.Launched Ballistic Missile
    spfsteam paddle frigate
    STOVLShort Take off/landing
    SUBROCSub.Fired ASW Rocket
    tton, long (short in bracket)
    TACANTactical Air Nav.
    TBTorpedo Boat
    TBD// destroyer
    TCTorpedo carriage
    TETriple expansion
    TER// reciprocating
    TFTask Force
    TGBTorpedo gunboat
    TGTask Group
    TLTorpedo launcher
    TLC// carriage
    TNTTrinitroluene
    TSTraining Ship
    TTTorpedo Tube
    UDTUnderwater Demolition Team
    UHFUltra High Frequency
    VadmVice Admiral
    VCVertical compound
    VCE// expansion
    VDE/ double expansion
    VDSVariable Depth Sonar
    VIC/ inverted compound
    VLFVery Low Frequency
    VQL/ quadruple expansion
    VSTOLVertical/short take off/landing
    VTE/ triple expansion
    VTOLVertical take off/landing
    VSE/ Simple Expansion
    wksWorks
    wlwaterline
    WTWireless Telegraphy
    xnumber of
    YdYard
    Organizations
    GIUKGreenland-Iceland-UK
    BuShipsBureau of Ships
    DBMGerman Navy League
    GBGreat Britain
    DNCDirectorate of Naval Construction
    EEZExclusive Economic Zone
    FAAFleet Air Arm
    FNFLFree French Navy
    JMSDFJap.Mar.Self-Def.Force
    MDAPMutual Def.Assistance Prog.
    MSAMaritime Safety Agency
    NATO
    RAFRoyal Air Force
    RANRoyal Australian Navy
    RCNRoyal Canadian Navy
    R&DResearch & Development
    RNRoyal Navy
    RNZNRoyal New Zealand Navy
    ussrUnion of Socialist Republics
    UE/EECEuropean Union/Comunity
    UNUnited Nations Org.
    USNUnited States Navy
    WaPacWarsaw Pact

⛶ Pre-Industrial Eras

☀ Introduction
☀ Neolithic to bronze age
⚚ Antique
⚜ Medieval
⚜ Renaissance
⚜ Enlightenment

⚔ Naval Battles

⚔ Pre-Industrial Battles ☍ See the page
  • Salamis
  • Cape Ecnomus
  • Actium
  • Red Cliffs
  • Battle of the Masts
  • Yamen
  • Lake Poyang
  • Lepanto
  • Vyborg Bay
  • Svensksund
  • Trafalgar
  • Sinope
⚔ Industrial Era Battles ☍ See the page
⚔ WW1 Naval Battles ☍ See the Page
⚔ WW2 Naval Battles ☍ See the Page

⚔ Crimean War

Austrian Navy ☍ See the page
French Navy ☍ See the page
    Screw Ships of the Line
  • Navarin class (1854)
  • Duquesne class (1853)
  • Fleurus class (1853)
  • Montebello (1852)
  • Austerlitz (1852)
  • Jean Bart (1852)
  • Charlemagne (1851)
  • Napoleon (1850)
  • Sailing Ships of the Line
  • Valmy (1847)
  • Ocean class (1805)
  • Hercules class (1836)
  • Iéna class (1814)
  • Jupiter (1831)
  • Duperré (1840)
  • Screw Frigates
  • Pomone (1845)
  • Isly (1849)
  • Bellone (1853)
  • D’Assas class (1854)
  • Screw Corvettes
  • Primauguet class (1852)
  • Roland (1850)
Royal Navy ☍ See the page
  • Duke of Wellington
  • Conqueror (1855)
  • Marlborough (1855)
  • Royal Albert (1854)
  • St Jean D’Acre (1853)
  • Waterloo (1833
  • Sailing ships of the Line
  • Sailing Frigates
  • Sailing Corvettes
  • Screw two deckers
  • Screw frigates
  • Screw Corvettes
  • Screw guard ships
  • Paddle frigates
  • Paddle corvettes
  • Screw sloops
  • Paddle sloops
  • Screw gunboats
  • Brigs

⚑ 1870 Fleets

Spanish Navy 1870 Armada Espanola ☍ See the Page
  • Numancia (1863)
  • Tetuan (1863)
  • Vitoria (1865)
  • Arapiles (1864)
  • Zaragosa (1867)
  • Sagunto (1869)
  • Mendez Nunez (1869)
  • Spanish wooden s. frigates (1861-65)
  • Frigate Tornado (1865)
  • Frigate Maria de Molina (1868)
  • Spanish sail gunboats (1861-65)
Austro-Hungarian Navy 1870 K.u.K. Kriegsmarine
Danish Navy 1870 Dansk Marine
  • Dannebrog (1863)
  • Peder Skram (1864)
  • Danmark (1864)
  • Rolf Krake (1864)
  • Lindormen (1868)

  • Jylland CR (1860)
  • Tordenskjold CR (1862)
  • Dagmar SP (1861)
  • Absalon class GB (1862)
  • Fylla class GB (1863)
Hellenic Navy 1870 Nautiko Hellenon
  • Basileos Giorgios (1867)
  • Basilisa Olga (1869)
  • Sloop Hellas (1861)
Koninklije Marine 1870 Koninklije Marine 1870
  • Dutch Screw Frigates & corvettes
  • De Ruyter Bd Ironclad (1863)
  • Prins H. der Neth. Turret ship (1866)
  • Buffel class turret rams (1868)
  • Skorpioen class turret rams (1868)
  • Heiligerlee class Monitors (1868)
  • Bloedhond class Monitors (1869)
  • Adder class Monitors (1870)
  • A.H.Van Nassau Frigate (1861)
  • A.Paulowna Frigate (1867)
  • Djambi class corvettes (1860)
  • Amstel class Gunboats (1860)
Marine Française 1870 Marine Nationale ☍ See the Page
  • Screw 3-deckers (1850-58)
  • Screw 2-deckers (1852-59)
  • Screw Frigates (1849-59)
  • Conv. sailing frigates
  • Screw Corvettes (1846-59)
  • Screw Fl. Batteries (1855)
  • Paddle Frigates
  • Paddle Corvettes
  • screw sloops
  • screw gunboats
  • Sailing ships of the line
  • Sailing frigates
  • Sailing corvettes
  • Sailing bricks


  • Gloire class Bd. Ironclads (1859)
  • Couronne Bd. Ironclad (1861)
  • Magenta class Bd. Ironclads (1861)
  • Palestro class Flt. Batteries (1862)
  • Arrogante class Flt. Batteries (1864)
  • Provence class Bd. Ironclads (1864)
  • Embuscade class Flt. Batteries (1865)
  • Taureau arm. ram (1865)
  • Belliqueuse Bd. Ironclad (1865)
  • Alma Cent. Bat. Ironclads (1867)
  • Ocean class CT Battery ship (1868)


  • Cosmao class cruisers (1861)
  • Talisman cruisers (1862)
  • Resolue cruisers (1863)
  • Venus class cruisers (1864)
  • Decres cruiser (1866)
  • Desaix cruiser (1866)
  • Limier class cruisers (1867)
  • Linois cruiser (1867)
  • Chateaurenault cruiser (1868)
  • Infernet class Cruisers (1869)
  • Bourayne class Cruisers (1869)
  • Cruiser Hirondelle (1869)

  • Curieux class sloops (1860)
  • Adonis class sloops (1863)
  • Guichen class sloops (1865)
  • Sloop Renard (1866)
  • Bruix class sloops (1867)
  • Pique class gunboats (1862)
  • Hache class gunboats (1862)
  • Arbalete class gunboats (1866)
  • Etendard class gunboats (1868)
  • Revolver class gunboats (1869)
Marinha do Brasil 1870 Marinha do Brasil
  • Barrozo class (1864)
  • Brasil (1864)
  • Tamandare (1865)
  • Lima Barros (1865)
  • Rio de Janeiro (1865)
  • Silvado (1866)
  • Mariz E Barros class (1866)
  • Carbal class (1866)
Turkish Ottoman navy 1870 Osmanlı Donanması
  • Osmanieh class Bd.Ironclads (1864)
  • Assari Tewfik (1868)
  • Assari Shevket class Ct. Ironclads (1868)
  • Lufti Djelil class CDS (1868)
  • Avni Illah class cas.ironclads (1869)
  • Fethi Bulend class cas.ironclads (1870)
  • Barbette ironclad Idjalleh (1870)
  • Messudieh class Ct.Bat.ships (1874)
  • Hamidieh Ct.Bat.Ironclads (1885)
  • Abdul Kadir Battleships (project)

  • Frigate Ertrogul (1863)
  • Selimieh (1865)
  • Rehberi Tewkik (1875)
  • Mehmet Selim (1876)
  • Sloops & despatch vessels
Turkish Ottoman navy 1870 Marina Do Peru
  • Monitor Atahualpa (1865)
  • CT. Bat Independencia (1865)
  • Turret ship Huascar (1865)
  • Frigate Apurimac (1855)
  • Corvette America (1865)
  • Corvette Union (1865)
Portuguese Navy 1870 Marinha do Portugal
  • Bartolomeu Dias class (28-guns) steam frigates
  • Sagris (14 guns) steam corvette
  • Vasco Da Gama (74 guns) Ship of the Line
  • Dom Fernando I e Gloria (50) Sailing Frigate
  • Dom Joao I class (14 guns) Sailing corvettes
  • Portuguese Side-wheel steamers
Regia Marina 1870 Regia Marina 1870
Imperial Japanese navy 1870 Nihhon Kaigun 1870
  • Ironclad Ruyjo (1868)
  • Ironclad Kotetsu (1868)
  • Frigate Fujiyama (1864)
  • Frigate Kasuga (1863)
  • Corvette Asama (1869)
  • Gunboat Raiden (1856)
  • Gunboat Chiyodogata (1863)
  • Teibo class GB (1866)
  • Gunboat Mushun (1865)
  • Gunboat Hosho (1868)
Prussian Navy 1870 Preußische Marine 1870
  • Prinz Adalbert (1864)
  • Arminius (1864)
  • Friedrich Carl (1867)
  • Kronprinz (1867)
  • K.Whilhelm (1868)
  • Arcona class Frigates (1858)
  • Nymphe class Frigates (1863)
  • Augusta class Frigates (1864)
  • Jäger class gunboats (1860)
  • Chamaleon class gunboats (1860)
Russian mperial Navy 1870 Russkiy Flot 1870
  • Ironclad Sevastopol (1864)
  • Ironclad Petropavlovsk (1864)
  • Ironclad Smerch (1864)
  • Pervenetz class (1863)
  • Charodeika class (1867)
  • Admiral Lazarev class (1867)
  • Ironclad Kniaz Pojarski (1867)
  • Bronenosetz class monitors (1867)
  • Admiral Chichagov class (1868)
  • S3D Imperator Nicolai I (1860)
  • S3D Sinop (1860)
  • S3D Tsessarevich (1860)
  • Russian screw two-deckers (1856-59)
  • Russian screw frigates (1854-61)
  • Russian screw corvettes (1856-60)
  • Russian screw sloops (1856-60)
  • Varyag class Corvettes (1862)
  • Almaz class Sloops (1861)
  • Opyt TGBT (1861)
  • Sobol class TGBT (1863)
  • Pishtchal class TGBT (1866)
Swedish Navy 1870 Svenska marinen
  • Ericsson class monitors (1865)
  • Frigate Karl XIV (1854)
  • Frigate Stockholm (1856)
  • Corvette Gefle (1848)
  • Corvette Orädd (1853)
Norwegian Navy 1870 Søværnet
  • Skorpionen class (1866)
  • Frigate Stolaf (1856)
  • Frigate Kong Sverre (1860)
  • Frigate Nordstjerna (1862)
  • Frigate Vanadis (1862)
  • Glommen class gunboats (1863)
Union Union Navy ☍ See the Page
Confederate Confederate Navy ☍ See the Page
Union 'Old Navy'(1865-1885) ☍ See the Page
  • Dunderberg Bd Ironclad (1865)
  • Wampanoag class frigates (1864)
  • Frigate Chattanooga & Idaho (1864)
  • Frigate Idaho (1864)
  • Java class frigates (1865)
  • Contookook class frigates (1865)
  • Frigate Trenton (1876)
  • Swatara class sloops (1865)
  • Alaska class sloops (1868)
  • Galena class sloops (1873)
  • Enterprise class sloops (1874)
  • Alert class sloops (1873)
  • Alarm torpedo ram (1873)
  • Intrepid torpedo ram (1874)

⚑ 1890 Fleets

Argentinian Navy 1898 Armada de Argentina
  • Parana class (1873)
  • La Plata class (1875)
  • Pilcomayo class (1875)
  • Ferre class (1880)
Austro-Hungarian Navy 1898 K.u.K. Kriegsmarine
  • Custoza (1872)
  • Erzherzog Albrecht (1872)
  • Kaiser (1871)
  • Kaiser Max class (1875)
  • Tegetthoff (1878)

  • Radetzky(ii) class (1872)
  • SMS Donau(ii) (1874)
  • SMS Donau(iii) (1893)

  • Erzherzog Friedrich class (1878)
  • Saida (1878)
  • Fasana (1870)
  • Aurora class (1873)
Chinese Imperial Navy 1898 Imperial Chinese Navy
  • Hai An class frigates (1872)
Danish Navy 1898 Dansk Marine
  • Tordenskjold (1880)
  • Iver Hvitfeldt (1886)
  • Skjold (1896)
  • Cruiser Fyen (1882)
  • Cruiser Valkyrien (1888)
Hellenic Navy 1898 Nautiko Hellenon
  • Spetsai class (1889)
  • Nauarchos Miaoulis (1889)
  • Greek Torpedo Boats (1881-85)
  • Greek Gunboats (1861-84)
Haitian Navy 1914Marine Haitienne
  • Gunboat St Michael (1970)
  • Gunboat "1804" (1875)
  • Gunboat Dessalines (1883)
  • Gunboat Toussaint Louverture (1886)
Koninklije Marine 1898 Koninklije Marine
  • Konigin der Netherland (1874)
  • Draak, monitor (1877)
  • Matador, monitor (1878)
  • R. Claeszen, monitor (1891)
  • Evertsen class CDS (1894)
  • Atjeh class cruisers (1876)
  • Cruiser Sumatra (1890)
  • Cruiser K.W. Der. Neth (1892)
  • Banda class Gunboats (1872)
  • Pontania class Gunboats (1873)
  • Gunboat Aruba (1873)
  • Hydra Gunboat class (1873)
  • Batavia class Gunboats (1877)
  • Wodan Gunboat class (1877)
  • Ceram class Gunboats (1887)
  • Combok class Gunboats (1891)
  • Borneo Gunboat (1892)
  • Nias class Gunboats (1895)
  • Koetei class Gunboats (1898)
  • Dutch sloops (1864-85)
Marine Française 1898 Marine Nationale ☍ See the Page
  • Friedland CT Battery ship (1873)
  • Richelieu CT Battery ship (1873)
  • Colbert class CT Battery ships (1875)
  • Redoutable CT Battery ship (1876)
  • Courbet class CT Battery ships (1879)
  • Amiral Duperre barbette ship (1879)
  • Terrible class barbette ships (1883)
  • Amiral Baudin class barbette ships (1883)
  • Barbette ship Hoche (1886)
  • Marceau class barbette ships (1888)

  • Cerbere class Arm.Ram (1870)
  • Tonnerre class Br.Monitors (1875)
  • Tempete class Br.Monitors (1876)
  • Tonnant ironclad (1880)
  • Furieux ironclad (1883)
  • Fusee class Arm.Gunboats (1885)
  • Acheron class Arm.Gunboats (1885)
  • Jemmapes class (1892)
  • Bouvines class (1892)

  • La Galissonière Cent. Bat. Ironclads (1872)
  • Bayard class barbette ships (1879)
  • Vauban class barbette ships (1882)
  • Prot. Cruiser Sfax (1884)
  • Prot. Cruiser Tage (1886)
  • Prot. Cruiser Amiral Cécille (1888)
  • Prot. Cruiser Davout (1889)
  • Forbin class Cruisers (1888)
  • Troude class Cruisers (1888)
  • Alger class Cruisers (1891)
  • Friant class Cruisers (1893)
  • Prot. Cruiser Suchet (1893)
  • Descartes class Cruisers (1893)
  • Linois class Cruisers (1896)
  • D'Assas class Cruisers (1896)
  • Catinat class Cruisers (1896)

  • R. de Genouilly class Cruisers (1876)
  • Cruiser Duquesne (1876)
  • Cruiser Tourville (1876)
  • Cruiser Duguay-Trouin (1877)
  • Laperouse class Cruisers (1877)
  • Villars class Cruisers (1879)
  • Cruiser Iphigenie (1881)
  • Cruiser Naiade (1881)
  • Cruiser Arethuse (1882)
  • Cruiser Dubourdieu (1884)
  • Cruiser Milan (1884)

  • Parseval class sloops (1876)
  • Bisson class sloops (1874)
  • Epee class gunboats (1873)
  • Crocodile class gunboats (1874)
  • Tromblon class gunboats (1875)
  • Condor class Torpedo Cruisers (1885)
  • G. Charmes class gunboats (1886)
  • Inconstant class sloops (1887)
  • Bombe class Torpedo Cruisers (1887)
  • Wattignies class Torpedo Cruisers (1891)
  • Levrier class Torpedo Cruisers (1891)
Marinha do Brasil 1898 Marinha do Brasil
Marinha do Portugal 1898 Marinha do Portugal
Marina de Mexico 1898 Mexico
  • GB Indipendencia (1874)
  • GB Democrata (1875)
Turkish Ottoman navy 1898 Osmanlı Donanması
  • Cruiser Heibtnuma (1890)
  • Cruiser Lufti Humayun (1892)
  • Cruiser Hadevendighar (1892)
  • Shadieh class cruisers (1893)
  • Turkish TBs (1885-94)
Regia Marina 1898 Regia Marina
  • Pr. Amadeo class (1871)
  • Caio Duilio class (1879)
  • Italia class (1885)
  • Ruggero di Lauria class (1884)
  • Carracciolo (1869)
  • Vettor Pisani (1869)
  • Cristoforo Colombo (1875)
  • Flavio Goia (1881)
  • Amerigo Vespucci (1882)
  • C. Colombo (ii) (1892)
  • Pietro Micca (1876)
  • Tripoli (1886)
  • Goito class (1887)
  • Folgore class (1887)
  • Partenope class (1889)
  • Giovanni Bausan (1883)
  • Etna class (1885)
  • Dogali (1885)
  • Piemonte (1888)
  • Staffeta (1876)
  • Rapido (1876)
  • Barbarigo class (1879)
  • Messagero (1885)
  • Archimede class (1887)
  • Guardiano class GB (1874)
  • Scilla class GB (1874)
  • Provana class GB (1884)
  • Curtatone class GB (1887)
  • Castore class GB (1888)
Imperial Japanese navy 1898 Nihhon Kaigun
  • Ironclad Fuso (1877)
  • Kongo class Ironclads (1877)

  • Cruiser Tsukushi (1880)
  • Cruiser Takao (1888)
  • Cruiser Yaeyama (1889)
  • Cruiser Chishima (1890)
  • Cruiser Tatsuta (1894)
  • Cruiser Miyako (1898)

  • Frigate Nisshin (1869)
  • Frigate Tsukuba (acq.1870)
  • Kaimon class CVT (1882)
  • Katsuragi class SCVT (1885)
  • Sloop Seiki (1875)
  • Sloop Amagi (1877)
  • Corvette Jingei (1876)
  • Gunboat Banjo (1878)
  • Maya class GB (1886)
  • Gunboat Oshima (1891)
German Navy 1898 Kaiserliche Marine
  • Ironclad Hansa (1872)
  • G.Kurfürst class (1873)
  • Kaiser class (1874)
  • Sachsen class (1877)
  • Ironclad Oldenburg (1884)

  • Ariadne class CVT (1871)
  • Leipzig class CVT (1875)
  • Bismarck class CVT (1877)
  • Carola class CVT (1880)
  • Corvette Nixe (1885)
  • Corvette Charlotte (1885)
  • Schwalbe class Cruisers (1887)
  • Bussard class (1890)

  • Aviso Zieten (1876)
  • Blitz class Avisos (1882)
  • Aviso Greif (1886)
  • Wacht class Avisos (1887)
  • Meteor class Avisos (1890)
  • Albatross class GBT (1871)
  • Cyclop GBT (1874)
  • Otter GBT (1877)
  • Wolf class GBT (1878)
  • Habitch class GBT (1879)
  • Hay GBT (1881)
  • Eber GBT (1881)
  • Rhein class Monitors (1872)
  • Wespe class Monitors (1876)
  • Brummer class Arm.Steamers (1884)
Russian Imperial Navy 1898 Russkiy Flot
Marina do Peru Marina Do Peru
  • Lima class Cruisers (1880)
  • Chilean TBs (1879)
Swedish Navy 1898 Svenska Marinen
Norwegian Navy 1898 Søværnet
  • Lindormen (1868)
  • Gorm (1870)
  • Odin (1872)
  • Helgoland (1878)
  • Tordenskjold (1880)
  • Iver Hvitfeldt (1886)
Royal Navy 1898 Royal Navy 1898
  • Hotspur (1870)
  • Glatton (1871)
  • Devastation class (1871)
  • Cyclops class (1871)
  • Rupert (1874)
  • Neptune class (1874)
  • Dreadnought (1875)
  • Inflexible (1876)
  • Agamemnon class (1879)
  • Conqueror class (1881)
  • Colossus class (1882)
  • Admiral class (1882)
  • Trafalgar class (1887)
  • Victoria class (1890)
  • Royal Sovereign class (1891)
  • Centurion class (1892)
  • Renown (1895)

  • HMS Shannon (1875)
  • Nelson class (1876)
  • Iris class (1877)
  • Leander class (1882)
  • Imperieuse class (1883)
  • Mersey class (1885)
  • Surprise class (1885)
  • Scout class (1885)
  • Archer class (1885)
  • Orlando class (1886)
  • Medea class (1888)
  • Barracouta class (1889)
  • Barham class (1889)
  • Pearl class (1889)
  • 1870-90 Torpedo Boats
  • Spanish Navy 1898 Armada 1898
    • Ironclad Pelayo (1887)

    • Aragon class (1879)
    • Velasco class (1881)
    • Isla de Luzon (1886)
    • Alfonso XII class (1887)
    • Reina Regentes class (1887)
    • Infanta Maria Teresa class (1890)
    • Emperador Carlos V (1895)
    • Cristobal Colon (1896)
    • Princesa de Asturias class (1896)

    • Destructor class (1886)
    • Temerario class (1891)
    • TGunboat Filipinas (1892)
    • De Molina class (1896)
    • Furor class (1896)
    • Audaz class (1897)
    • Spanish TBs (1878-87)
    • Fernando class gunboats (1875)
    • Concha class gunboats (1883)
    US Navy 1898 1898 US Navy US Navy 1898☍ See the Page
    • USS Maine (1889)
    • USS Texas (1892)
    • Indiana class (1893)
    • USS Iowa (1896)

    • Amphitrite class (1876)
    • USS Puritan (1882)
    • USS Monterey (1891)

    • Atlanta class (1884)
    • USS Chicago (1885)
    • USS Charleston (1888)
    • USS Baltimore (1888)
    • USS Philadelphia (1889)
    • USS San Francisco (1889)
    • USS Newark (1890)
    • USS New York (1891)
    • USS Olympia (1892)
    • Cincinatti class (1892)
    • Montgomery class (1893)
    • Columbia class (1893)
    • USS Brooklyn (1895)

    • USS Vesuvius (1888)
    • USS Katahdin (1893)
    • USN Torpedo Boats (1886-1901)
    • GB USS Dolphin (1884)
    • Yorktown class GB (1888)
    • GB USS Petrel (1888)
    • GB USS Bancroft (1892)
    • Machias class GB (1891)
    • GB USS Nashville (1895)
    • Wilmington class GB (1895)
    • Annapolis class GB (1896)
    • Wheeling class GB (1897)
    • Small gunboats (1886-95)
    • St Louis class AMC (1894)
    • Harvard class AMC (1888)
    • USN Armoured Merchant Cruisers
    • USN Armed Yachts

    WW1

    ☉ Entente Fleets

    US ww1 US Navy ☍ See the Page
    British ww1 Royal Navy ☍ See the Page
    French ww1 Marine Nationale ☍ See the Page
    Japan ww1 Nihhon Kaigun ☍ See the Page
    Russia ww1 Russkiy Flot ☍ See the Page
    Italy ww1 Regia Marina

    ✠ Central Empires

    German Navy 1914 Kaiserliche Marine
    austria-hungary ww1 KuK Kriesgmarine
    turkey ww1 Osmanli Donmanasi
    • Barbarossa class battleships (1892)
    • Yavuz (1914)
    • Cruiser Mecidieh (1903)
    • Cruiser Hamidieh (1903)
    • Cruiser Midilli (1914)
    • Namet Torpedo cruisers (1890)
    • Sahahani Deria Torpedo cruisers (1892)
    • Destroyers class Berk-Efshan (1894)
    • Destroyers class Yarishar (1907)
    • Destroyers class Muavenet (1909)
    • Berk i Savket class Torpedo gunboats (1906)
    • Marmaris gunboat (1903)
    • Sedd ul Bahr class gunboats (1907)
    • Isa Reis class gunboats (1911)
    • Preveze class gunboats (1912)
    • Turkish WW1 Torpedo Boats
    • Turkish Armed Yachts (1861-1903)
    • Turkish WW1 Minelayers

    ⚑ Neutral Countries

    Americas
    Argentinian navy Argentina
    Brazilian Navy Brazil
    Chilean Navy 1914 Chile
    Cuban Navy 1914 Cuba
    • Gunboat Baire (1906)
    • Gunboat Patria (1911)
    • Diez de octubre class GB (1911)
    • Sloop Cuba (1911)
    Haitian Navy 1914 Haiti
    • Gunboat Dessalines (1883)
    • GB Toussaint Louverture (1886)
    • GB Capois la Mort (1893)
    • GB Crete a Pierot (1895)
    Mexican Navy Mexico
    • Cruiser Zatagosa (1891)
    • GB Plan de Guadalupe (1892)
    • Tampico class GB (1902)
    • N. Bravo class GB (1903)
    Peruvian Navy 1914 Peru
    • Almirante Grau class (1906)
    • Ferre class subs. (1912)
    Europe
    Bulgarian Navy Bulgaria
    • Cruiser Nadezhda (1898)
    • Drski class TBs (1906)
    Danish Navy 1914 Denmark
    • Skjold class (1896)
    • Herluf Trolle class (1899)
    • Herluf Trolle (1908)
    • Niels Iuel (1918)
    • Hekla class cruisers (1890)
    • Valkyrien class cruisers (1888)
    • Fyen class crusiers (1882)
    • Danish TBs (1879-1918)
    • Danish Submarines (1909-1920)
    • Danish Minelayer/sweepers
    Greek Royal Navy Greece
    Dutch Empire Navy 1914 Netherlands
    • Eversten class (1894)
    • Konigin Regentes class (1900)
    • De Zeven Provincien (1909)
    • Dutch dreadnought (project)
    • Holland class cruisers (1896)
    • Fret class destroyers
    • Dutch Torpedo boats
    • Dutch gunboats
    • Dutch submarines
    • Dutch minelayers
    Norwegian Navy 1914 Norway
    • Haarfarge class (1897)
    • Norge class (1900)
    • Norwegian Monitors
    • Cr. Frithjof (1895)
    • Cr. Viking (1891)
    • DD Draug (1908)
    • Norwegian ww1 TBs
    • Norwegian ww1 Gunboats
    • Sub. Kobben (1909)
    • Ml. Fröya (1916)
    • Ml. Glommen (1917)
    Portuguese navy 1914 Portugal
    • Coastal Battleship Vasco da Gama (1875)
    • Cruiser Adamastor (1896)
    • Sao Gabriel class (1898)
    • Cruiser Dom Carlos I (1898)
    • Cruiser Rainha Dona Amelia (1899)
    • Portuguese ww1 Destroyers
    • Portuguese ww1 Submersibles
    • Portuguese ww1 Gunboats
    Romanian Navy 1914 Romania
    Spanish Armada Spain
    Swedish Navy 1914 Sweden
    Asia
    Chinese navy 1914 China
    Thai Empire Navy 1914 Thailand
    • Maha Chakri (1892)
    • Thoon Kramon (1866)
    • Makrut Rajakumarn (1883)

    ⚏ WW1 3rd/4th rank navies

    ✈ WW1 Naval Aviation

    US naval aviation USN
    • Boeing model 2/3/5 (1916)
    • Aeromarine 39 (1917)
    • Curtiss H (1917)
    • Curtiss F5L (1918)
    • Curtiss VE-7 (1918)
    • Curtiss NC (1918)
    • Curtiss NC4 (1918)
    RNAS RNAS
    • Short 184 (1915)
    • Fairey Campania (1917)
    • Felixtowe F2 (1916)
    • Felixtowe F3 (1917)
    • Felixtowe F5 (1918)
    • Sopwith Baby (1917)
    • Fairey Hamble Baby (1917)
    • Fairey III (1918)
    • Short S38 (1912)
    • Short Admiralty Type 166 (1914)
    • Short Admiralty Type 184 (1915)

    • Blackburn Kangaroo
    • Sopwith 1-1/2 Strutter
    • Sopwith Pup
    • Sopwith Cuckoo 1918
    • Royal Aircraft Factory Airships
    German Imperial naval aviation Marineflieger
    • Albatros W.4 (1916)
    • Albatros W.8 (1918)
    • Friedrichshafen Models
    • Gotha WD.1-27 (1918)
    • Hansa-Brandenburg series
    • L.F.G V.19 Stralsund (1918)
    • L.F.G W (1916)
    • L.F.G WD (1917)
    • Lübeck-Travemünde (1914)
    • Oertz W series (1914)
    • Rumpler 4B (1914)
    • Sablatnig SF (1916)
    • Zeppelin-Lindau Rs series
    • Kaiserlichesmarine Zeppelins
    French naval aviation French Naval Aviation
    • Borel Type Bo.11 (1911)
    • Nieuport VI.H (1912)
    • Nieuport X.H (1913)
    • Donnet-Leveque (1913)
    • FBA-Leveque (1913)
    • FBA (1913)
    • Donnet-Denhaut (1915)
    • Borel-Odier Type Bo-T(1916)
    • Levy G.L.40 (1917)
    • Blériot-SPAD S.XIV (1917)
    • Hanriot HD.2 (1918)
    • Zodiac Airships
    Italian naval aviation Italian Naval Aviation
    • Ansaldo SVA Idro (1916)
    • Ansaldo Baby Idro (1915)
    • Macchi M3 (1916)
    • Macchi M5 (1918)
    • SIAI S.12 (1918)
    Russian naval aviation Russian Naval Aviation
    • Grigorovich M-5 (1915)
    • Grigorovich M-9 (1916)
    • Grigorovich M-11 (1916)
    • Grigorovich M-15 (1916)
    • Grigorovich M-16 (1916)
    • Grigorovich M-16 (1916)
    ✠ K.u.K. SeeFliegkorps
    • Lohner E (1914)
    • Lohner L (1915)
    • Oeffag G (1916)
    IJN Aviation IJN Air Service
    • IJN Farman 1914
    • Yokosho Rogou Kougata (1917)
    • Yokosuka Igo-Ko (1920)

    WW2

    ✪ Allied ww2 Fleets

    US ww2 US Navy
    British ww2 Royal Navy ☍ See the Page
    French ww2 Marine Nationale ☍ See the Page
    Soviet ww2 Sovietskiy Flot ☍ See the Page
    Royal Canadian Navy Royal Canadian Navy ☍ See the Page
    Royal Australian Navy Royal Australian Navy ☍ See the Page
    Koninklije Marine, Dutch Navy ww2 Dutch Navy ☍ See the Page
    Chinese Navy Chinese Navy 1937 ☍ See the Page

    ✙ Axis ww2 Fleets

    Japan ww2 Imperial Japanese Navy ☍ See the Page
    italy ww2 Regia Marina ☍ See the Page
    German ww2 Kriegsmarine ☍ See the Page

    ⚑ Neutral Navies

    Armada de Argentina Argentinian Navy ☍ See the Page
    Marinha do Brasil Brazilian Navy ☍ See the Page
    Armada de Chile Chilean Navy ☍ See the Page
    Søværnet Danish Navy ☍ See the Page
    • Niels Iuel (1918)
    • Danish ww2 Torpedo-Boats
    • Danish ww2 submarines
    • Danish ww2 minelayer/sweepers
    Merivoimat Finnish Navy ☍ See the Page
    Hellenic Navy Hellenic Navy ☍ See the Page
    • Greek ww2 Destroyers
    • Greek ww2 submarines
    • Greek ww2 minelayers
    Marynarka Vojenna Polish Navy ☍ See the Page
    • Cruiser ORP Dragon
    • Cruiser ORP Conrad
    • Brislawicka class Destroyers
    • Witcher ww2 Destroyers
    • Minelayer Gryf
    • Wilk class sub.
    • Orzel class sub.
    • Jakolska class minesweepers
    • Polish Monitors
    Portuguese navy ww2 Portuguese Navy ☍ See the Page
    • Douro class DDs
    • Delfim class sub
    • Velho class gb
    • Albuquerque class gb
    • Nunes class sloops
    Romanian Navy Romanian Navy ☍ See the Page
    • Romanian ww2 Destroyers
    • Romanian ww2 Submarines
    Royal Norwegian Navy Sjøforsvaret ☍ See the Page
    • Norwegian ww2 Torpedo-Boats
    Spanish Armada Spanish Armada ☍ See the Page
    Svenska Marinen Svenska Marinen ☍ See the Page
    • Sverige class CBBs (1915)
    • Gustav V class CBBs (1918)
    • Interwar Swedish CBB projects

    • Tre Kronor class (1943)
    • Gotland (1933)
    • Fylgia (1905)

    • Ehrernskjold class DDs (1926)
    • Psilander class DDs (1926)
    • Klas Horn class DDs (1931)
    • Romulus class DDs (1934)
    • Göteborg class DDs (1935)
    • Mode class DDs (1942)
    • Visby class DDs (1942)
    • Öland class DDs (1945)

    • Swedish ww2 TBs
    • Swedish ww2 Submarines
    • Swedish ww2 Minelayers
    • Swedish ww2 MTBs
    • Swedish ww2 Patrol Vessels
    • Swedish ww2 Minesweepers
    Türk Donanmasi Turkish Navy ☍ See the Page
    • Kocatepe class Destroyers
    • Tinaztepe class Destroyers
    • İnönü class submarines
    • Submarine Dumplumpynar
    • Submarine Sakarya
    • Submarine Gur
    • Submarine Batiray
    • Atilay class submarines
    Royal Yugoslav Navy Royal Yugoslav Navy ☍ See the Page
    • Cruiser Dalmacija
    • Dubrovnik class DDs
    • Beograd class DDs
    • Osvetnik class subs
    • Hrabi class subs
    • Gunboat Beli Orao
    Royal Thai Navy Royal Thai Navy ☍ See the Page
    • Taksin class
    • Ratanakosindra class
    • Sri Ayuthia class
    • Puket class
    • Tachin class
    • Sinsamudar class sub
    minor navies Minor Navies ☍ See the Page

    ✈ Naval Aviation

    Latest entries | WW1 | Cold War
    US naval aviation USN aviation ☍ See the Page
    Fleet Air Arm ☍ See the Page
    IJN aviation ☍ See the Page
    • Mitsubishi 1MF (1923)
    • Nakajima A1N (1930)
    • Nakajima A2N (1932)
    • Mitsubishi A5M "Claude" (1935)
    • Nakajima A4N (1935)
    • Mitsubishi A6M "zeke" (1940)
    • Nakajima J1N Gekko "Irving" (1941)
    • Mitsubishi J2M Raiden "Jack" (1942)
    • Kawanishi N1K-J Shiden "George" (1942)
    • Nakajima J5N Tenrai (1944)

    • Aichi S1A Denko* (1944)
    • Mitsubishi A7M reppu* (1944)
    • Mitsubishi J8M1 Shusui* (1945)
    • Mitsubishi J8M2 Shusui-kai* (1945)
    • Kyushu J7W Shinden* (1945)
    • Nakajima J9Y Kikka* (1945)

    • Mitsubishi 1MT (1922)
    • Mitsubishi B1M (1923)
    • Mitsubishi B2M (1932)
    • Kugisho B3Y (1932)
    • Aichi D1A "Susie" (1934)
    • Yokosuka B4Y "Jean" (1935)
    • Mitsubishi B5M "Mabel" (1937)
    • Nakajima B5N "Kate" (1937)
    • Aichi D3A "Val" (1940)
    • Nakajima B6N "Jill" (1941)
    • Aichi B7A "Grace" (1942)
    • Nakajima C6N Saiun "Myrt" (1942)
    • Yokosuka D4Y "Judy" (1942)
    • Yokosuka MXY-7 "Baka" (1944)

    • Mitsubishi G3M "Nell" (1935)
    • Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" (1941)
    • Kawanishi P1Y Ginga "Frances" (1943)
    • Kyushu Q1W Tokai "Lorna" (1943)
    • Tachikawa Ki-74 "Patsy" (1944)
    • Nakajima G8N Renzan "Rita" (1944)

    • Mitsubishi K3M "Pine" (1930)
    • Nakajima C2N1 (1931)
    • Yokosuka K5Y1 "Willow" (1933)
    • Nakajima L1N1 (1937)
    • Kawanishi H6K2/4-L (1938)
    • Kyushu K10W1 "Oak" (1941)
    • Kyushu K11W1 Shiragiku (1942)
    • Mitsubishi L4M1 (1942)
    • Nakajima G5N Shinzan "Liz" (1942)
    • Yokosuka L3Y "Tina" (1942)
    • Kyushu Q1W1-K "Lorna"(1943)
    • Aichi M6A1-K Nanzan (1943)
    • Yokosuka MXY-7K-1 "Kai" (1944)
    • Yokosuka MXY-8 Akigusa (1945)

    • Hiro H1H (1926)
    • Yokosuka E1Y (1926)
    • Nakajima E2N (1927)
    • Aichi E3A (1929)
    • Yokosuka K4Y (1930)
    • Nakajima E4N (1931)
    • Nakajima E8N "Dave" (1935)
    • Kawanishi E7K "Alf" (1935)
    • Kawanishi E11K1 (1937)
    • Aichi E11A "Laura" (1938)
    • Watanabe E9W (1938)
    • Watanabe K8W* (1938)
    • Mitsubishi F1M "pete" (1941)
    • Nakajima E14Y "Glen" (1941)
    • Aichi E13A "Jake" (1941)
    • Aichi H9A (1942)
    • Nakajima A6M2-N (1942)
    • Kawanishi E15K Shiun (1942)
    • Kawanishi N1K1 "Rex" (1943)
    • Aichi E16A "Zuiun" (1944)
    • Aichi M6A1 Seiran (1945)

    • Kawanishi E11K* (1937)
    • Kawanishi H6K "Mavis" (1938)
    • Kawanishi K6K* (1938)
    • Kawanishi H6K3 (1939)
    • Kawanishi K8K (1940)
    • Kawanishi H8K "Emily" (1942)
    • Yokosuka H5Y "Cherry" (1936)

    • Mitsubishi 2MR (1923)
    • Yokosho K1Y (1924)
    • Yokosuka K2Y (1928)
    • Mitsubishi K3M "Pine" (1930)
    • Hitachi LXG1 (1934)
    • Kyushu K10W "Oak" (1943)
    Italian Aviation ☍ See the Page
    French Aeronavale ☍ See the Page
    • Levasseur PL5/9 (1924)
    • Wibault 74 (1926)
    • CAMS 37 (1926)
    • Gourdou-Leseurre GL.300 series (1926-39)
    • Levasseur PL7 (1928)
    • Levasseur PL10 (1929)
    • Latécoere 290 (1931)
    • Breguet 521/22/23 (1931)
    • Leo H257 bis (1932)
    • Latécoere 300 series (1932)
    • Morane 226 (1934)
    • Dewoitine 376 (1934)
    • Latécoere 321 (1935)
    • Potez 452 (1935)
    • Latécoere 38.1 (1936)
    • Loire 210 (1936)
    • Leo H43 (1936)
    • Levasseur PL107 (1937)
    • Loire 130 (1937)
    • Dewoitine HD.730 (1938)
    • Latecoere 298 (1938)
    • LN 401 (1938)
    Soviet Naval Aviation
    Luftwaffe (Naval) ☍ See the Page
    • Arado 197 (1937)
    • Fieseler Fi-167 (1938)
    • Junkers Ju-87C (1938)
    • Messerschmitt Me 109T (1941)
    • Messerschmitt 155 (1944)

    • Heinkel HE 1 (1921)
    • Caspar U1 (1922)
    • Dornier Do J Wal (1922)
    • Dornier Do 16 ‘Wal’ (1923)
    • Heinkel HE 2 (1923)
    • Junkers A 20/Ju 20 (1923)
    • Rohrbach Ro II (1923)
    • Rohrbach Ro III (1924)
    • Dornier Do D (1924)
    • Dornier Do E (1924)
    • Junkers G 24 (1924)
    • Rohrbach Ro IV (1925)
    • Heinkel HD 14 (1925)
    • Heinkel HE 25 (1925)
    • Heinkel HE 26 (1925)
    • Heinkel HE 24 (1926)
    • Heinkel HE 4 (1926)
    • Junkers W 33/34 (1926)
    • Heinkel HE 5 (1926)
    • Rohrbach Ro VII Robbe (1926)
    • Rohrbach Ro V Rocco (1927)
    • Heinkel HE 31 (1927)
    • Heinkel HE 8 (1927)
    • Arado W II (1928)
    • Heinkel HD 9 (1928)
    • Heinkel HD 16 (1928)
    • Heinkel He 55 (1929)
    • Heinkel He 56 (1929)
    • Arado SSD I (1930)
    • Junkers Ju 52w (1930)
    • Heinkel HE 42 (1931)
    • Heinkel He 50 (1931)
    • Heinkel He 59 (1931)
    • Arado Ar 66 (1932)
    • Heinkel He 58 (1932)
    • Junkers Ju 46 (1932)
    • Klemm Kl 35bW (1932)
    • Heinkel He 62 (1932)
    • Heinkel He 60 (1933)
    • Heinkel He 51w (1933)
    • Arado Ar 95 (1937)
    • Arado Ar 196 (1937)
    • Arado Ar 199 (1939)
    • Blohm & Voss Ha 139 (1936)
    • Blohm & Voss BV 138 (1937)
    • Blohm & Voss Ha 140 (1937)
    • Blohm & Voss BV 222 (1938)
    • Blohm & Voss BV 238 (1942)
    • Dornier Do 24/318 (1937)
    • Dornier Do 18 (1935)
    • Dornier Do 26 (1938)
    • Dornier Do 22 (1938)
    • DFS Seeadler (1936)
    • Focke-Wulf Fw 58W (1935)
    • Focke-Wulf Fw 62 (1937)
    • Heinkel He 114 (1936)
    • Heinkel He 115 (1936)
    • Heinkel He 119 (1936)
    Dutch Naval Aviation
    • Fokker W.3 (1915)
    • Fokker T.II (1921)
    • Fokker B.I/III (1922)
    • Fokker B.II (1923)
    • Fokker T.III (1924)
    • Fokker T.IV (1927)
    • Fokker B.IV (1928)
    • Fokker C.VII W (1928)
    • Fokker C.VIII W (1929)
    • Fokker C.XI W (1934)
    • Fokker C.XIV-W (1937)
    • Fokker T.VIII-W (1939)

    ☢ The Cold War

    ☭ WARSAW PACT

    Sovietskaya Flota Sovietskiy flot ☍ See the Page
    Warsaw Pact cold war navy Warsaw Pact Navies ☍ See the Detail
    • Albania
    • Bulgaria
    • Czechoslovakia
    • Hungary
    • Volksmarine East Germany
    • Parchim class corvettes (1985)
    • Hai class sub-chasers (1958)
    • Volksmarine's minesweepers
    • Volksmarine's FAC
    • Volksmarine's Landing ships
    • ORP Warzsawa (1970)
    • ORP Kaszub (1986)
    • Polish Landing ships
    • Polish FACs
    • Polish Patrol ships
    • Polish Minesweepers
    • Missile Destroyer Muntenia (1982)
    • Tetal class Frigates (1981)
    • Romanian river patrol crafts

    ✦ NATO

    bundesmarine Bundesmarine ☍ See the Page
    Dutch Navy Danish Navy ☍ See the Page
    • Hvidbjornen class Frigates (1962)
    • Frigate Beskytteren (1976)
    • Peder Skram class Frigates (1965)
    • Thetis class frigates (1989)
    • Bellona class corvettes (1955)
    • Niels Juel class corvettes (1979)

    • Delfinen class submarines (1958)
    • Narhvalen class submarines (1970)

    • Bille class Torpedo Boats (1946)
    • Flyvefisken class Torpedo Boats (1954)
    • Falken class Torpedo Boats (1960)
    • Soloven class Torpedo Boats (1962)
    • Willemoes class FAC (1976)
    • Flyvefisken class FAC (1989)
    • Daphne class Patrol Boats (1960)
    • Danish Minelayers
    • Danish Minesweepers
    Dutch Navy Dutch Navy ☍ See the Page
    • CV Karel Doorman (1948)
    • De Zeven Provinciën class cruisers (1945)
    • Holland class DDs (1953)
    • Friesland class DDs (1953)
    • Roodfier class Frigates (1953)
    • Frigate Lynx (1954)
    • Van Speijk class Frigates (1965)
    • Tromp class Frigates (1973)
    • Kortenaer class frigates (1976)
    • Van H. class Frigates (1983)
    • K. Doorman class Frigates (1988)
    • Dolfijn clas sub. (1959)
    • Zwaardvis class subs. (1970)
    • Walrus class subs. (1985)
    • ATD Rotterdam (1990s)
    • Dokkum class minesweepers (1954)
    • Alkmaar class minesweepers (1982)
    Hellenic Navy Hellenic Navy ☍ See the Page
    • Hydra class FFs (1990)
    • Greek cold war Subs
    • Greek Amphibious ships
    • Greek MTBs/FACs
    • Greek Patrol Vessels
    Eire Irish Navy ☍ See the Page
    • Eithne class PBs (1983)
    • Cliona class PBs
    • Deidre/Emer class PBs
    • Orla class fast PBs
    Marina Militare Marina Militare ☍ See the Page
      Aircraft Carriers
    • Giuseppe Garibaldi (1983)
    • Conte di Cavour (2004)*
    • Trieste (2022)*
    • Cruisers
    • Missile cruiser Garibaldi (1960)
    • Doria class H. cruisers (1962)
    • Vittorio Veneto (1969)
    • Destroyers

    • Impetuoso class (1956)
    • Impavido class (1957)
    • Audace class (1971)
    • De La Penne class (1989)
    • Orizzonte class (2007)*
    • Frigates
    • Grecale class (1949)
    • Canopo class (1955)
    • Bergamini class (1960)
    • Alpino class (1967)
    • Lupo class (1976)
    • Maestrale class (1981)
    • Bergamini class (2013)*
    • Thaon di Revel class (2020)*
    • Corvettes (OPV)
    • Albatros class (1954)
    • De Cristofaro class (1965)
    • Minerva class (1987)
    • Cassiopeia class (1989)
    • Esploratore class (1997)*
    • Sirio class (2003)*
    • Commandanti class (2004)*
    • Submarines
    • Toti class (1967)
    • Sauro class (1976)
    • Pelosi class (1986)
    • Sauro class (1992)*
    • Todaro class (2006)*
    • Attack/Amphibious ships
    • San Giorgio LSD (1987)
    • Gorgona class CTS (1987)
    • Italian Landing Crafts (1947-2020)
    • Misc. ships
    • Folgore PB (1952)
    • Lampo class PBs (1960)
    • Freccia class PBs (1965)
    • Sparviero class GMHF (1973)
    • Stromboli class AOR (1975)
    • Anteo SRS (1980)
    • Etna class LSS (1988)
    • Vulcano AOR (1998)*
    • Elettra EWSS (2003)*
    • Etna AOR (2021)*
    • Mine warfare ships
    • Lerici class (1982)
    • Gaeta class (1992)*
    Marine Française Marine Nationale ☍ See the Page
      Battleships
    • Jean Bart (1949)
    • Aircraft/Helicopter carriers
    • Dixmude (1946)
    • Arromanches (1946)
    • Lafayette class light carriers (1954)
    • PA 28 class project (1947)
    • Clemenceau class (1957)
    • Jeanne d'Arc (1961)
    • PA 58 (1958)
    • PH 75/79 (1975)
    • Charles de Gaulle (1994)

    • Cruisers
    • De Grasse (1946)
    • Chateaurenault class (1950)
    • Colbert (1956)

    • Destroyers
    • Surcouf class (1953)
    • Duperre class (1956)
    • La Galissonniere class (1960)
    • Suffren class (1965)
    • Aconit (1970)
    • Tourville class (1972)
    • G. Leygues class (1976)
    • Cassard class (1985)

    • Frigates
    • Le Corse class (1952)
    • Le Normand class (1954)
    • Cdt Riviere class (1958)
    • Estiennes D'Orves class (1973)
    • Lafayette class (1990)

    • Corvettes
    • Estiennes D'Orves class (1973)
    • Floreal class (1990)

    • Submarines
    • La Creole class (1940)
    • Narval class (1954)
    • Arethuse class (1957)
    • Daphne class (1959)
    • Gymnote test SSBN (1964)
    • Le Redoutable SSBN (1967)
    • Agosta SSN (1974)
    • Rubis SSN (1979)
    • Amethyste SSN (1988)
    • Le Triomphant SSBN (started 1989)

    • Amphibian Ships
    • Issole (1958)
    • EDIC class (1958)
    • Trieux class (1958)
    • Ouragan lass (1963)
    • Champlain lass (1973)
    • Bougainville (1986)
    • Foudre class (1988)
    • CDIC lass (1989)

    • Misc. ships
    • Le Fougueux class (1958)
    • La Combattante class (1964)
    • Trident class (1976)
    • L'Audacieuse class (1984)
    • Grebe class (1989)
    • Sirius class (1952)
    • Circe class (1972)
    • Eridan class (1979)
    • Vulcain class (1986)
    RCAN RCAN ☍ See the Page
    • HCMS Bonaventure (1957)
    • St Laurent class DDE (1951)
    • Algonquin class DDE (1952)
    • Restigouche class DDs (1954)
    • Mackenzie class DDs (1961)
    • Annapolis class DDH (1963)
    • Iroquois class DDH (1970)

    • River (mod) 1955
    • Tribal class FFs (Pjct)
    • City class DDH (1988)

    • Ojibwa class sub. (1964)
    • Kingston class MCFV (1995)
    Royal Navy Royal Navy ☍ See the Page
    • Cold War Aircraft Carriers
    • Centaur class (1947)
    • HMS Victorious (1957)
    • HMS Eagle (1946)
    • HMS Ark Royal (1950)
    • HMS Hermes (1953)
    • CVA-01 class (1966 project)
    • Invincible class (1977)

    • Cold War Cruisers
    • Tiger class (1945)

    • Destroyers
    • Daring class (1949)
    • 1953 design (project)
    • Cavendish class (1944)
    • Weapon class (1945)
    • Battle class (1945)
    • FADEP program (1946)
    • County class GMD (1959)
    • Bristol class GMD (1969)
    • Sheffield class GMD (1971)
    • Manchester class GMD (1980)
    • Type 43 GMD (1974)

    • British cold-war Frigates
    • Rapid class (1942)
    • Tenacious class (1941)
    • Whitby class (1954)
    • Blackwood class (1953)
    • Leopard class (1954)
    • Salisbury class (1953)
    • Tribal class (1959)
    • Rothesay class (1957)
    • Leander class (1961)
    • BB Leander class (1967)
    • HMS Mermaid (1966)
    • Amazon class (1971)
    • Broadsword class (1976)
    • Boxer class (1981)
    • Cornwall class (1985)
    • Duke class (1987)

    • British cold war Submarines
    • T (conv.) class (1944)
    • T (Stream) class (1945)
    • A (Mod.) class (1944)
    • Explorer class (1954)
    • Strickleback class (1954)
    • Porpoise class (1956)
    • Oberon class (1959)
    • HMS Dreanought SSN (1960)
    • Valiant class SSN (1963)
    • Resolution class SSBN (1966)
    • Swiftsure class SSN (1971)
    • Trafalgar class SSN (1981)
    • Upholder class (1986)
    • Vanguard class SSBN (started)

    • Assault ships
    • Fearless class (1963)
    • HMS Ocean (started)
    • Sir Lancelot LLS (1963)
    • Sir Galahad (1986)
    • Ardennes/Avon class (1976)
    • Brit. LCVPs (1963)
    • Brit. LCM(9) (1980)

    • Minesweepers/layers
    • Ton class (1952)
    • Ham class (1947)
    • Ley class (1952)
    • HMS Abdiel (1967)
    • HMS Wilton (1972)
    • Hunt class (1978)
    • Venturer class (1979)
    • River class (1983)
    • Sandown class (1988)

    • Misc. ships
    • HMS Argus ATS (1988)
    • Ford class SDF (1951)
    • Cormorant class (1985)
    • Kingfisger class (1974)
    • HMS Jura OPV (1975)
    • Island class OPVs (1976)
    • HMS Speedy PHDF (1979)
    • Castle class OPVs (1980)
    • Peacock class OPVs (1982)
    • MBT 538 class (1948)
    • Gay class FACs (1952)
    • Dark class FACs (1954)
    • Bold class FACs (1955)
    • Brave class FACs (1957)
    • Tenacity class PCs (1967)
    • Brave class FPCs (1969)
    Armada de espanola - Spanish cold war navy Spanish Armada ☍ See the Page
    • Dédalo aircraft carrier (1967)
    • Principe de Asturias (1982)

    • Alava class DDs (1946)
    • Audaz class DDs (1955)
    • Oquendo class DDs (1956)
    • Roger de Lauria class (1967)

    • Baleares class FFs (1971)
    • Descubierta class FFs (1978)
    • Numancia class FFs (1987)

    • Pizarro class gunboats (1944)
    • Artevida class Cvs (1952)
    • Serviola class Cvs (1990)
    • Spanish cold-war submarines
    • Spanish FACs
    • Spanish Minesweepers
    Svenska Marinen Svenska Marinen ☍ See the Page
    • Tre Kronor class (1946)
    • Öland class DDs (1945)
    • Halland class DDs (1952) (1945)
    • Ostergotland class DDs (1956)
    • Spica III class Corvettes (1984)
    • Goteborg class Corvettes (1989)

    • U1 class subs (mod.1963)
    • Hajen class subs (1954)
    • Sjoormen class subs (1967)
    • Nacken class subs (1978)
    • Vastergotland class subs (1986)
    • Gotland class subs (1995)

    • T32 class MTBs (1951)
    • T42 class MTBs (1955)
    • Plejad class FACs (1951)
    • Spica I class FACs (1966)
    • Spica II class FACs (1972)
    • Hugin class FACs (1973)
    • Swedish Patrol Boats
    • Swedish minesweepers
    • Swedish Icebreakers
    Taiwanese Navy Taiwanese Navy ☍ See the Page
    • Kwang Hua class FFs (1991)
    • Kwang Hua II class FFs (1993)
    • Hai Lung class sub. (1986)
    • LCU 1466 class LCU (1955)
    • Fuh Chow class FAC
    • Lung Chiang class FAC
    • Hai Ou class FAC(M)
    • MWW 50 class minehunters
    Turkish Navy Turkish Navy ☍ See the Page
    • Berk class FFs (1971)
    • Atilay class sub. (1974)
    • Cakabey class LST
    • Osman Gazi class LST
    • Turkish Fast Attack Crafts
    • Turkish Patrol Boats
    US Navy USN (cold war) ☍ See the Page

    ☯ ASIA

    Chinese Navy ☍ See the Page
    Indian Navy Indian Navy ☍ See the Page
    • Vikrant class CVs (1961)
    • Viraat class CVs (1986)

    • Cruiser Delhi (1948)
    • Cruiser Mysore (1957)
    • Raja class DDs (1949)
    • Rajput class DDs (1980)
    • Delhi class DDs (1990)

    • Khukri class FFs (1956)
    • Talwar class FFs (1958)
    • Brahmaputra class FFs (1957)
    • Nilgiri class FFs (1968)
    • Godavari class FFs (1980)

    • Kusura class subs (1970)
    • Shishumar class subs (1984)
    • Sindhugosh class subs (1986)

    • Indian Amphibious ships
    • Indian corvettes (1969-90)
    • Khukri class corvettes (1989)
    • SDB Mk.2 class PBs (1977)
    • Vikram class OPVs (1979)
    • Sukanya class OPVs (1989)
    Indonesia Indonesian Navy ☍ See the Page
    • Fatahilla class Frigates (1977)
    • Pattimura class corvettes (1956)
    • Indonesian Marines
    • Indonesian Mine Vessels
    • Indonesian FAC/OPVs
    JMSDF JMSDF ☍ See the Page
      JMSDF Destroyers
    • Harukaze class DD (1955)
    • Ayanami class DD (1957)
    • Murasame class DD (1958)
    • Akizuki class DD (1959)
    • Amatukaze missile DD (1963)
    • Yamagumo class DDE (1965)
    • Takatsuki class DD (1966)
    • Minegumo class DDE (1967)
    • Haruna class DDH (1971)
    • Tachikaze class DD (1974)
    • Shirane class DDH (1978)
    • Hatsuyuki class DDs (1980)
    • Hatakaze class DDs (1984)
    • Asigiri class DDs (1986)
    • Kongo class DDs (started 1990)

    • JMSDF Frigates
    • Akebono class FFs (1955)
    • Isuzu class FFs (1961)
    • Chikugo class FFs (1970)
    • Ishikari class FFs (1980)
    • Yubari class FFs (1982)
    • Abukuma class FFs (1988)

    • JMSDF submarines
    • Oyashio class Sub. (1959)
    • Hayashio class Sub. (1961)
    • Natsushio class Sub. (1963)
    • Oshio class Sub. (1964)
    • Uzushio class Sub. (1970)
    • Yushio class Sub. (1979)
    • Harushio class Sub. (1989)

    • JMSDF Misc. ships
    • Japanese Landing Ships
    • Japanese Large Patrol Ships
    • Japanese Patrol Crafts
    • Japanese Minesweepers
    • Japanese Sub-chasers
    North Korean Navy North Korean Navy ☍ See the Page
    • Najin class Frigates
    • Experimental Frigate Soho
    • Sariwan class Corvettes

    • Sinpo class subs.
    • Sang-O class subs.
    • Yono class subs.
    • Yugo class subs.

    • Hungnam class LCM
    • Hante class LST
    • Songjong class HVC
    • Sin Hung/Ku Song FACs
    • Anju class FACs
    • Iwon class FACs
    • Chaho class FACs
    • Hong Jin class FAC-G
    • Sohung class MTBs
    • Sinpo class MTBs
    • Nampo class FALC
    Philippines Navy Philippines Navy ☍ See the Page
    • Datu Kalantian class Frigates (1976)
    • Bacolod City class LS(L)
    • Philippino Patrol Crafts
    Rep. of Korea Navy ROKN ☍ See the Page
    • Ulsan class frigates (1980)
    • Pohang class corvettes (1984)
    • Dong Hae class corvettes (1982)
    • Han Kang class patrol corvettes (1985)
    • Chamsuri (PKM 268) PBs (1978)
    • ROKS coast guard vessels
    • Paek Ku class FAC (1975)
    • Kang Keong class minehunters (1986)
    Taiwanese Navy Taiwanese Navy ☍ See the Page
    • Kwang Hua class FFs (1991)
    • Kwang Hua II class FFs (1993)
    • Hai Lung class sub. (1986)
    • LCU 1466 class LCU (1955)
    • Fuh Chow class FAC
    • Lung Chiang class FAC
    • Hai Ou class FAC(M)
    • MWW 50 class minehunters

    ☪ MIDDLE EAST

    Israeli Navy IDF Navy ☍ See the Page
    • Eilat class Corvettes (1993)
    • SAAR 5 Project
    • SAAR 1 FAC
    • SAAR 4 FAC
    • SAAR 4.5 FAC
    • Dvora class FAC
    • Shimrit class MHFs
    • IDF FACs/PBs
    • Etzion Geber LST
    • Ash class LCT
    Iranian Navy Iranian Navy ☍ See the Page
    • Destroyer Artemiz (1965)
    • Bayandor class FFs (1963)
    • Alvand class FFs (1969)
    • Khalije Fars class DDs (2016)*

    ♅ OCEANIA

    Australian Navy RAN ☍ See the Page
    • HMAS Sydney (1948*)
    • HMAS Melbourne (1955*)
    • Tobruk class DDs (1947)
    • Voyager class DDs (1952)
    • Perth class MDD (1963)
    • Quadrant class FFs (1953)
    • Yarra class FFs (1958)
    • Swan class FFs (1967)
    • Adelaide class MFFs (1978)
    • Anzac class MFFs (1990s)
    • Oxley class subs (1965)
    • Collins class subs (1990s)
    • Australian Amphibious ships
    • Fremantle class PBs
    RNZN Royal New Zealand Navy ☍ See the Page
    • HMNZS Royalist (1956)
    • Pukaki class patrol Crafts (1974)
    • Moa class patrol crafts (1983)
    • HMNZS Aotearoa (2019)*

    ☩ South America

    Armada de argentina Argentina ☍ See the Page
    • ARA Independencia (1958)
    • ARA Veinticinco de Mayo (1968)
    • Belgrano class cruisers (1951)
    • Almirante Brown class Frigates (1981)
    • Mantilla class corvettes (1981)
    • Espora class corvettes (1982)
    • Salta class submarines (1972)
    • Santa Cruz class submarines (1982)
    Brazilian Navy Brazilian Navy ☍ See the Page
    • Minas Gerais aircraft carrier (1956)
    • Cruiser Barroso (1951)
    • Cruiser Tamandare (1951)
    • Acre class destroyers (1945)
    • Niteroi class Frigates (1974)
    • Ihnauma class Frigate (1986)
    • Tupi class submarines (1987)
    • Brazilian patrol ships
    Chilean Navy Chilean Navy ☍ See the Page
    • O'Higgins class cruisers
    • Lattore Cruiser (1971)
    • Almirante class destroyers (1960)
    • Prat class M. Destroyers (1982)
    • Almirante Lynch class Frigates (1972)
    • Thomson class subs (1982)
    • Small surface combatants
    Peruvian Navy Peruvian Navy ☍ See the Page
    • Almirante Grau(ii) class
    • Almirante Grau(iii) class
    • Abtao class sub.
    • PR-72P class corvettes
    • Velarde class OPVs

    ℣ AFRICA

    Egyptian Navy Egyptian Navy ☍ See the Page
    • October class FAC/M (1975)
    • Ramadan class FAC/M (1979)
    SADF South African Navy ☍ See the Page
    ☫ Minor cold war/modern Navies Algerian NavyAzerbaijani NavyBangladesh NavyBarheini NavyBolivian NavyCambodian NavyComoros NavyCosta Rica NavyCroatian NavyCuban NavyDjibouti NavyDominican Republic NavyEquadorian NavyEstonian NavyEthiopian NavyFinnish NavyGeorgian NavyHaitian NavyHonduras NavyIcelandic NavyIraqi NavyJordanian NavyKuwaiti NavyLatvian NavyLebanese NavyLiberian NavyLibyan NavyLithuanian NavyMauritanian NavyMexican NavyMorrocan NavyNicaraguan NavyNorwegian NavyOmani NavyPakistani NavyParaguaian NavyQatari NavySan Salvador NavySaudi NavySerbian NavySingaporean NavySlovenian NavySomalian NavySudanese NavySyrian NavyThai NavyTunisian NavyUAE NavyUruguayan NavyVenezuelan NavyVietnamese NavyYemeni NavyZanzibar Navy

    ✚ MORE

    ⚔ Cold War Naval Events
    • ⚔ Indochina War naval ops
    • ⚔ Korean War naval ops
    • ⚔ 1956 intervention in Suez
    • ⚔ 1960 Cuban crisis
    • ⚔ 1960 US/Soviet compared strenghts
    • ⚔ 1963-69 Algerian war naval ops
    • ⚔ Naval warfare in Vietnam
    • ⚔ Middle East naval fights
    • ⚔ 1980 Falkland wars
    • ⚔ 1990 Gulf War
    ⚔ Modern Navies
    ✈ Cold War Naval Aviation See the full section
    Seaplanes
    • Grumman Mallard 1946
    • Edo OSE-1 1946
    • Short Solent 1946

    • de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver 1947
    • Grumman Albatross 1947
    • Hughes H-4 Hercules (completed & first flight, prototype)
    • Saunders-Roe SR.A/1 1947 (jet fighter seaplane prototype)
    • Short Sealand 1947

    • Martin P5M Marlin 1948
    • Supermarine Seagull ASR-1 1948 (prototype successor to the Walrus)
    • Nord 1400 Noroit 1949
    • Norsk Flyindustri Finnmark 5A (interesting Norwegian prototype)
    • SNCASE SE-1210 French prototype flying boat 1949

    • Convair R3Y Tradewind USN patrol flying boat 1950
    • Goodyear Drake (proto seaboat) 1950
    • de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter 1951 (RCAN)
    • Saunders-Roe Princess 1952 (RN requisition possible)

    • Convair F2Y Sea Dart Prototype delta jet fighter seaplane 1953
    • Martin P6M SeaMaster strategic bomber flying boat 1955

    • Ikarus Kurir H 1957

    • Shin Meiwa UF-XS prototype 1962
    • Shin Meiwa PS-1 patrol flying boat 1967
    • Canadair CL-215 1967 water bomber, some operated by the RCAN
    • GAF Nomad patrol australian land/floatplane 1971
    • Harbin SH-5 Main PLAN patrol flying boat 1976
    • Cessna 208 Caravan transport flotplane (some navies) 1982
    • Dornier Seastar prototype 1984

    • Patrol Planes
    • ATR 42 MP Surveyor (Italy, 1984)
    • ATR 72 MP (Italy 1988)

    • ATR 72 ASW (France, 1988)
    • Breguet Atlantic (France 1965)
    • Nord 1402 Noroit (France 1949)

    • Avro Shackleton (UK 1949)
    • BAE Nimrod MRA4 (UK 2004)
    • Britten-Norman Defender/Islander (UK 1970)
    • Fairey Gannet (UK 1949)
    • Hawker-Siddeley Nimrod (UK 1967)

    • Beechcraft King Air (USA 1963)
    • Basler BT-67 (USA 1990)
    • Boeing 737 Surveiller (USA 1967)
    • Boeing P-8 Poseidon (USA 2009)
    • Lockheed P-2 Neptune (USA, 1945)
    • Lockheed P-3 Orion (USA 1959)
    • Martin P4M Mercator (USA 1946)
    • Convair P5Y (USA 1950)
    • Douglas/BSAS Turbo Dakota (USA 1991)

    • Bombardier DHC-8 MPA/MSA (Can 2007)
    • Canadair CP-107 Argus (Can 1957)

    • CASA C-212 MPA (Spain 1971)
    • CASA/IPTN CN-235 MPA/HC-144 Ocean Sentry (Spain 1983)
    • CASA C-295 MPA (Spain 1997)

    • Diamond DA42 Guardian (Austria 2002)

    • Dornier 228 (Germany 1981)

    • Embraer EMB 111 Bandeirante (Brazil 1968)
    • Embraer R-99 (Brazil 2001)
    • Embraer P-99 (Brazil 2003)

    • Fokker F27 200-MAR (NL 1955)
    • Fokker F27 Maritime Enforcer (NL 1955)

    • IAI 1124N Sea Scan (Israel 1977)

    • Kawasaki P-1 (Japan 2007)
    • Kawasaki P-2J (Japan 1966)

    • Saab Swordfish (Sweden 2016)
    • Shaanxi Y-8F,Q,X (China 1984)
    • Short Seavan (UK 1976)

    • Beriev Be-8 1947
    • Beriev Be-6 1949
    • Beriev R-1 turbojet prototype seaplane 1952
    • Beriev Be-10 1956
    • Beriev Be-12 Chaika 1960
    • Beriev Be-40/A-40 Albatross prototypes 1986
    • Chetverikov TA-1 1947
    • Ilyushin Il-38 'May' (USSR 1967)
    • Myasishchev 3M/3MD (USSR 1956)
    • Tupolev Tu-16T/PL/R/RM/SP (USSR 1952)
    • Tupolev Tu-95MR (USSR 1961)
    • Tupolev Tu-142 (USSR 1968)

    • Carrier Planes
      USN
    • Douglas A-3 Skywarrior
    • Douglas A-4 Skyhawk
    • Douglas A2D Skyshark
    • Douglas AD Skyraider
    • Douglas F3D Skynight
    • Douglas F4D Skyray
    • Grumman A-6 Intruder
    • Grumman AF Guardian
    • Grumman C-1 Trader
    • Grumman C-2 Greyhound
    • Grumman E-1 Tracer
    • Grumman E-2 Hawkeye
    • Grumman EA-6B Prowler
    • Grumman F-9 Cougar
    • Grumman F9F Panther
    • Grumman F-11 Tiger
    • Grumman F-14 Tomcat ➚
    • Grumman S-2 Tracker
    • Lockheed Martin F-35B
    • Lockheed S-3 Viking ➚
    • McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II
    • McDonnell Douglas T-45 Goshawk
    • McDonnell FH Phantom
    • McDonnell F2H Banshee
    • McDonnell F3H Demon
    • McDonnell-Douglas AV-8B Harrier II
    • McDonnell-Douglas F/A-18 Hornet
    • North American A-5 Vigilante
    • North American AJ Savage
    • North American FJ Fury
    • North American T-2 Buckeye
    • North American T-28 Trojan
    • Vought A-7 Corsair
    • Vought F-8 Crusader
    • Vought F6U Pirate
    • Vought F7U Cutlass
    • Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet
    • Boeing EA-18G Growler
    • RN
    • Blackburn Buccaneer
    • Boulton Paul Sea Balliol
    • BAe Sea Harrier
    • de Havilland Sea Vampire
    • de Havilland Sea Venom
    • de Havilland Sea Vixen
    • Fairey Gannet
    • Hawker Sea Hawk
    • Short Seamew
    • Westland Wyvern
    • Marine Nationale
    • Breguet Alizé
    • Dassault Étendard IV
    • Dassault Super Étendard
    • Dassault Rafale M
    • Fouga CM.175 Zéphyr M
    • SNCASE Aquilon
    • Soviet Navy
    • Sukhoi Su-25UTG/UBP
    • Sukhoi Su-33
    • Yakovlev Yak-38

    Navy Helicopters
      Chinese PLAN:
    • Harbin Z-5 (1958)
    • Harbin Z-9 Haitun (1981)
    • Changhe Z-8 (1985)
    • Harbin Z-20 (in development)
    • Italy:
    • Agusta Bell AB-205 (1961)
    • Agusta Bell AB-212 (1971)
    • Agusta AS-61 (1968)
    • India:
    • Hal Dhruv (Indian Navy)
    • France:
    • Alouette II (1955)
    • Alouette III (1959)
    • Super Frelon (1965)

    • Cougar ()
    • Panther ()
    • Super Cougar H225M ()
    • Fennec ()
    • MH-65 Dolphin ()
    • UH-72 Lakota ()
    • Germany:
    • MBB Bo 105 (1967)
    • NHIndustries NH90
    • Japan:
    • Mitsubishi H-60 (1987)
    • Poland:
    • PZL W-3 Sokół (1979)
    • Romania:
    • IAR 330M (1975)
    • United Kingdom:
    • Westland Lynx (1971)
    • Westland Scout (1960) RAN
    • Westland Sea King (1969)
    • Westland Wasp (1962)
    • Westland Wessex (1958)
    • Westland Whirlwind (1953)
    • Westland WS-51 Dragonfly (1948)
    • USA:
    • Gyrodyne QH-50 DASH
    • Hiller ROE Rotorcycle (1956)
    • Piasecki HRP Rescuer (1945)
    • Bell UH-1N Twin Huey (1969)
    • SH-2 Seasprite (1959)
    • SH-2G Super Seasprite (1982)
    • CH-53 Sea Stallion (1966)
    • SH-60 Seahawk (1979)
    • Sikorsky S-61R (1959)
    • MH-53E Sea Dragon (1974)
    • ussr:
    • Kamov Ka 20 (1958)
    • Ka-25 "Hormone" (1960)
    • Ka-27 "Helix" (1973)
    • Ka-31 (1987)
    • Ka-35 (2015)
    • Ka-40 (1990)
    • Mil-Mi 2 (1949)
    • Mil Mi-4 (1952)
    Civilian ♆ WW1 US Shipping Board
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