"Diamond Jim" wrote in
om:


"Peter Stickney" wrote in message
...
W. D. Allen Sr. wrote:

The Douglas A3D Skywarrior was probably the biggest operated from
the 27C class modified WWII carriers.

Could we count the modified P2Vs that the nuclear strike VC squadrons
were to use? They did do a number of launches from the various
Midways (Which, I think, count as WW 2 ships).
Although they did have hooks, and performed FCLPs, according to Holly
Hills, who flew 'em after he returned to the Navy after flying in the
RCAF, they never could find a Carrier Skipper who'd let them come
aboard his ship in any manner other than a crane.

--
Pete Stickney
Java Man knew nothing about coffee.

Construction on the Midways was started during WWII but it was not
rushed. When they were ordered it was realized that they would not be
required during the War, so they were planned from the beginning to
combine the best features of the carriers used during the war. A kind
of "lessons learned carrier. They had about the same aircraft
complement and the same speed as the Essexs they were 45,000 tons
compared to the approximate 31,000 ton Essexs. There were originally
supposed to be six Midways, but only three were built and they were
not completed until after the war was over. IIRC the Midways were the
first US ships ordered that were designed from the start as being too
wide to fit through the Panama canal.

(The following is more useless information from someone with too much
time on their hands, because its raining and I can't go fishing.
Aviation content? Yes the BB's carried scout planes, and were on the
way to the pacific to shout down jap naval aircraft.)Yes before anyone
asks the Iowa Class BB's could and did go through the Panama Canal. I
know the New Jersey was the first through the canal going through on 7
Jan 1944. The Iowa sailed from Norfolk (?) on 2 Jan 44 but it probably
took 7 days to get to the Canal so most likely it was the 2d one
through. The Wisconsin went through at the end of Sep '44 followed by
the Missouri on 18 Nov '44. The canal locks are officially 33 meters
(108.26 feet) wide and the battleships are supposed to be 108 feet 2
inches (or 108.66 feet) at the water line. Tight fit ?

Go here to see more on the New Jersey's last trip through the canal:

http://www.czbrats.com/CuPA/Jimpics/ussnj.htm

Dave