RFI on Forrestal Class

Dear All,

We're looking for any high resolution photos of any of the Forrestal class carriers.

Primary areas of interest are images of the island, hangar deck and flight deck. The more and the higher the res the better! Any era or ship of the class is fine. :)

Many thanks in advance for any help!

LS

Not sure if can be useful, but, check here:

Forrestal:

http://www.navsource.org/archives/02/59.htm

http://www.uss-forrestal.com/photos/

http://www.hazegray.org/navhist/carriers/fires/

http://www.vfp62.com/forrestal_info.html

Sail books:

http://www.navysite.de/cvn/cv59.htm

Edit: Expected Forrestal "Carrier Modules" on DCS: W or excusive to the F-14 module?

Oh hell pretty please yes :)

Not exactly high-res, but lots of interesting photos (especially Sara):

http://www.seaforces.org/usnships/cv/CV-59-USS-Forrestal.htm

http://www.seaforces.org/usnships/cv/CV-60-USS-Saratoga.htm

http://www.seaforces.org/usnships/cv/CV-61-USS-Ranger.htm

http://www.seaforces.org/usnships/cv/CV-62-USS-Independence.htm

I'll get to work tonight. :thumbup:

Also, do you want images of just the "Forrestal class" ships (CV-59 to CV-62)? Or also include images of the very similar "Kitty Hawk" class (CV-63 to CV-67)?

-Nick

I'll get to work tonight. :thumbup:

 

Also, do you want images of just the "Forrestal class" ships (CV-59 to CV-62)? Or also include images of the very similar "Kitty Hawk" class (CV-63 to CV-67)?

 

-Nick

Feel free to include the Hawks!

We're unfortunately not experts in the differences just yet however -- so we'll have to be careful. :)

Thanks!

Nick

The changes would include a different elevator layout, catapult angles, island, deck shape, Kitty Hawk also had an extra antenna tower aft of the island. Maybe you haven't settled on a class yet?

The changes would include a different elevator layout, catapult angles, island, deck shape, Kitty Hawk also had an extra antenna tower aft of the island. Maybe you haven't settled on a class yet?

No, we've settled on the Forrestal class.

At the risk of saying the obvious. The biggest visual difference between the Forrestal and the Kitty Hawk class is the deck configuration. The Forrestals had on starboard one elevator in front and two behind the island and the port elevator ahead of the waist catapults. The Kitty Hawk class (and Enterprise and Nimitz classes) had the starboard elevators two ahead and one behind the island, and the port elevator aft of the waist catapults.

The Forrestals also started their life with a considerable number of 5" guns which were gradually removed. The first 3 Kitty Hawks initially had two Terrier SAM systems. By the 1980s all carriers were standardized to Phalanx CIWS and Sea Sparrow SAMs, though I am sure there are differences in exact numbers and placements.

I am sure there are also considerable differences in mast and sensor arrangements.

I think is "applicable" if build each 3D model with accurate weapons configurations to different historical periods, meanwhile ED not build a system to make different weapons configurations on a similar ship.

No, we've settled on the Forrestal class.

Then I'll try to keep reference photos to just those 4 ships, just so things don't get confusing.

Love your choice BTW. I had a private tour of Ranger when I was 7 or 8 years old (Dad was a Navy Contractor at the time). I love that ship, so impressive in person.

Ranger and Enterprise are my favorite carriers. :D

-Nick

CV-60 Saratoga Drawings：

http://www.navsea.navy.mil/Home/TeamShips/NAVSEA21/InactiveShips/ShipDismantling/CVDismantling/ExSaratoga(CV60).aspx

At the risk of saying the obvious. The biggest visual difference between the Forrestal and the Kitty Hawk class is the deck configuration. The Forrestals had on starboard one elevator in front and two behind the island and the port elevator ahead of the waist catapults. The Kitty Hawk class (and Enterprise and Nimitz classes) had the starboard elevators two ahead and one behind the island, and the port elevator aft of the waist catapults.

 

The Forrestals also started their life with a considerable number of 5" guns which were gradually removed. The first 3 Kitty Hawks initially had two Terrier SAM systems. By the 1980s all carriers were standardized to Phalanx CIWS and Sea Sparrow SAMs, though I am sure there are differences in exact numbers and placements.

 

I am sure there are also considerable differences in mast and sensor arrangements.

We'll be aiming for an 80s Ranger-ish.

I don't think we'll manage to do more than one "era" of the boats unfortunately.

We'll be aiming for an 80s Ranger-ish.

 

I don't think we'll manage to do more than one "era" of the boats unfortunately.

Sounds absolutely reasonably to go along with the Tomcat.

We'll be aiming for an 80s Ranger-ish.

 

I don't think we'll manage to do more than one "era" of the boats unfortunately.

If you are still undecided on which specific carrier to create, I suggest USS Independence (CV-62). It wasn't decommissioned until 1998 so it could serve as the carrier for both the A and B versions of the Tomcat. Oh, and this is all great news by the way!

The aircraft carrier USS Forrestal, pictured in 1956 undergoing jet plane training exercises in the Caribbean

The USS Forrestal during a shakedown cruise off Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in 1955.

Here's a youtube link as well

It seems as if the afterburner ramps were installed in the later years along with a more modern CAT.

We'll be aiming for an 80s Ranger-ish.

 

I don't think we'll manage to do more than one "era" of the boats unfortunately.

Hmmm, so 7th fleet huh..

A hint at a WEST-PAC or Persian Gulf map?

I got home rather late tonight...so this is what I found thus far. I kept it to just the Ranger for now from 1980-1992 (no major retrofits during that period).

I'll keep looking and post or send as I find things.

Question for Cobra: Do you have CJ Heatley's Book "The Cutting Edge" - it has quite a few Ranger pictures from 1984. If you don't have it, I can scan and send/post those images as well. Just let me know.

Also of help, the movie "Flight of the Intruder" was filmed on Ranger's sister ship (CV-62 Independence) and there are good shots of the Hangar deck in that movie that could be helpful. It's available on Amazon instant:

http://www.amazon.com/Flight-Intruder-Danny-Glover/dp/B007RFDP8U/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1458022350&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=Flight+of+the+Intrude

Here are the pictures thus far.

View of the Hangar deck looking aft from a vantage point of just under the island - circa 1985

View of the Island circa 1990 - appearance should be pretty stable compared to mid-80s.

Another island shot circa 1980

Another island shot circa 1980

Island shot after going into long-term storage

Here are a series of shots from 1992 (last cruise):

Circa 1990

1989

1986

This is what I found tonight. I'll keep looking for good detail shots, etc.

This project is fantastic news! Thank you for your dedication to the F-14A set in the 1980s in addition to the F-14B. :thumbup:

-Nick

PS - There is an observation area on the island (lower level of the 2-level bridge) that is visible in the 2nd and 3rd pictures. In the second picture it is enclosed with a curved plexiglass and the first picture shows a box shaped observation area. I checked my references and that area changed from "boxed" to "curved" in 1989.

Hmmm, so 7th fleet huh..

 

A hint at a WEST-PAC or Persian Gulf map?

There is a Persian Gulf map - Strait of Hormuz.

USS Ranger went to the Strait in 1987 in support of Operation Earnest will. In fact, Dave "Bio" Baranek was on that cruise with VF-2. :)

Lots of possibilities there.....

-Nick

There is a Persian Gulf map - Strait of Hormuz.

 

USS Ranger went to the Strait in 1987 in support of Operation Earnest will. In fact, Dave "Bio" Baranek was on that cruise with VF-2. :)

 

Lots of possibilities there.....

 

-Nick

And I believe Bio is assisting Leatherneck with some details for the game. Bio is a wealth of information on all things Tomcat and to top it all off...

1) He was a RIO in the era they are studying

2) He was in the Strait of Hormuz during the time period

3) He was also a successful Navy Commander

That equates to a lot of realism from the perspective of campaign, events and procedures of the time.

To me that means we should be looking at a great campaign, because honestly I don't buy these modules to "PvP" I buy them to enjoy the aircraft and hopefully enjoy a good campaign - which unfortunately are in short supply for DCS (campaigns that is, good or otherwise).

You guys might want to look/ask around here:

http://www.shipmodels.info/mws_forum/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=4708&sid=c9d6a1074f66b1302328dbea49ca50d0

Time to start scouring Social Media and Goog Search...

Chances of any Newer Digital Photos are slim, there's only one of the 4 left.

all this work and research, DCS-F14, i wouldnt mind paying 99.99 USD... :)

all this work and research, DCS-F14, i wouldnt mind paying 99.99 USD... :)

You're more than welcome to buy more than one module for other people who don't feel the same way. Pricing people out of the hobby is not a way to go...

Time to start scouring Social Media and Goog Search...

 

Chances of any Newer Digital Photos are slim, there's only one of the 4 left.

Yes, absolutely.

Another important search parameter for those who are doing so: you get better detail shots looking for pictures of the squadrons that deployed, since those shots are focused on a smaller area. You can find out which units deployed from several different references, including old USN cruise books.

Here is a link: http://www.navysite.de/cruisebooks/

Scroll down to the Ranger section.

You won't find the volume or quality of pictures that is present for active duty ships, but I think there is good stuff out there. I also found a few pictures in older books that might be worth scanning - BTW, several were taken by Dave Bio Baranek, he cruised on Ranger twice during the mid-80s. He might have some helpful pictures as well.

-Nick