1/350 scale uss enterprise aircraft help.

goldhammer

Ready 5 looks like she's loaded out as a KA6 for tanking the CAP.

I can't magnify the photo enough tto say either way.  But, the only reason Whales were still aboard was as KA-3, the designated tanker a/c.  The "buddy" tanks were available, but, doctrinally, you only flew those if you needed more IFR than you had KA-3 capacity (which was typically (IIRC) 4 a/c).

A-6As and A-6Bs started being retrofit as dedicated KA-6 about the time Phantoms were phased out (and A-6E were available to replace As & Bs).

But, that's all running on memory, and blackshoe memory at that.

I'm sorry, my short speak. The photo has no A-4s that I can see, not sure about your document because I haven't read it.

A-3, A-5, A-6, A-7 all on the deck there. And I think the call on the KA-6 makes sense too.

I was given a monster beehive Enterprise kit when I was a kid, Aurora I think.

Enterprise last used A-4s in her Air Wing in the first half of 1968. After completion of that cruise and upon return stateside, two A-7B squadrons were assigned, and went out with her on her 1969 deploymen to Vietnam.

GMorrison

Carlos I haven't read through your document, but there are no A4s.

 

Do you mean the A-6? The A-6 was retired in the 90s. Cost cutting. Right after they had been upgraded with new wings to extend their service life. That’s when the Tomcats were given the dual role of strike and air to air. The link that I attached has the composition and strength of the Enterprise Air Wing, Carrier Air Wing 8, during the 2001 cruise. They were headed home from a tour including line time for Operation Southern Watch when 9/11 happened. 

The Enterprise has not carried A-4s as part of her Air Wing since probably 1967. I’ll get back to you on that.

Carlos I haven't read through your document, but there are no A4s.

Ready 5 looks like she's loaded out as a KA6 for tanking the CAP.

Figure about 30-40 below on the hangar deck and 4-8 in the CAP (CAP policy changed around then, they would run a long and a short CAP for maximum security).

That photo is interesting as the Ready 5 apperas to be an A6.  Wit hthe Ready 15 a Phantom parked alongside.

The Whales is tucked back among the Phantoms on the fantail, but they coul get her in the air with only a couple of a/c moves.

GMorrison

From an earlier era. I can't find more than about fourty aircraft on the deck.

 

I counted a few over 50... but that is most of her strike force on deck. That has to be between 1968 and 1975  due to the A-7s and F-4s in the Air Wing.  The A-7 entered fleet service in 1967, and the Enterprise replaced her F-4s in 1975 in time for the Frequent Wind evacuation during the fall of Saigon.

From an earlier era. I can't find more than about fourty aircraft on the deck.

stikpusher

This link to a Navy document has the report on ops conducted during OEF and before by USS Enterprise during 2001. Squadrons, Aircraft types and strength, as well as ordnance expended, are listed.

https://www.history.navy.mil/content/dam/nhhc/research/archives/command-operation-reports/ship-command-operation-reports/e/enterprise-cvn-65-viii/pdf/2001.pdf

You may want to look at Trumpeter for 1/350 aircraft as well if any types that you need are not made by Tamiya. 3-D printed stuff on Shapeways is another area to check.

 

Wow, thank you a clear source for the carriers air wing very helpful 

This link to a Navy document has the report on ops conducted during OEF and before by USS Enterprise during 2001. Squadrons, Aircraft types and strength, as well as ordnance expended, are listed.

https://www.history.navy.mil/content/dam/nhhc/research/archives/command-operation-reports/ship-command-operation-reports/e/enterprise-cvn-65-viii/pdf/2001.pdf

You may want to look at Trumpeter for 1/350 aircraft as well if any types that you need are not made by Tamiya. 3-D printed stuff on Shapeways is another area to check.

I'm not going to invent statistics here, but usually an airrcraft carrier model won't include the whole complement of aircraft. Yes, it can and I hear the usual footsteps coming, but there are good reasons not to have to.

1. Your sanity, seriously.

2. Conformance to reality, in particular in an operational setting.

3. Cost of doing so.

I am a big fan of these Trumpeter sets.

Bill

Thanks, I saw those im going to order 8 packs of f 18c, 4 packs of f 14b, a pack of ea 6b, a pack of sh 60, a pack of c 2a, a pack of s 3b and a pack of e 2c. From kitlinx they actually have the f18 in stock

Just looked on ebay.... Couple of sets of Tamiya 1/350.  Out of 10 in the set only a couple of 18's. But gives a mix of other types used in the 80-90's.

Just plug in 1/350 F18.

Hmmm... Since I'm not using them, I have not looked for them, so I can't speak of their availability. I can say that with the size of these ships, there's plenty to work on until they are available.

Thanks, my only problem now is actually finding them, I can't seam to find any f18 in stock i can get the f14,  the helos the the other aircraft but the f18 seam impossible to find

My Nimitz is getting a 1987 airwing, which was back in the good old days when the F-18 was still a baby and was'nt allowed to go play with the big kids yet...

 A 2001 airwing like you would want would be a butt load of 18's, 4 each of E-2F's and EA-6B's oh and SH-60 Seahawk helos. I would imagine around 48 F-18 Hornets would cover 4 squadrons with 12 aircraft each. I could be wrong on the count of Hornets... I got out just before they replaced the A-7's. Never liked having to work with them on deck though. Too many sharp corners and they're too low to crab-walk under as well. But they're small, cheap, easy to fix and fast.

 Try Trumpeter for the aircraft you need. Pretty good kits for their size... patience, a flashlight and good eyes will be required to find the pieces as they fly off your tweezers. And they will... They. Will!