USS Kearsarge CVA 33

I got a closer look at one of the few pics I do have.Boy am I in for a job.It is a Essex class ship,but the island has a Enterprise silhoette,and all the deck guns were placed along the sides during the refit outside the hanger.He has never mentioned anything about a cruise book,but I've enlisted my grandmother's help in sneaking out the photo album he did make.The only problem is after discussing the refitting,He now wants to look back at the people in the photos and is thinking about getting in touch with them.
I tried a few military lists and there really aren't that many people for the year he was aboard.Mostly aircraft pilots who sailed onboard during Korea.

check this link. http://www.steelnavy.com/essex_data.htm#CV21%20USS%20Boxer

I know what you are going through. When I did the Lex in her 1956 attire for my father's Christmas present, I knew he had has boxes of color slides that he took during his WestPac, but he had them burried in the back of his closet in his den and he could never find it. The more I pressured, the more inquizitive he got so I had to resort to using his cruise book and "Details in Scale" book. I didn't get to see the slides until after he got the model and showed us them. All I did was knock myself in the head for missing this and that.

BTW, does he still have a cruise book? It would have a wealth of detailed pics in it. Also, get in touch with a Kearsarge Veterans Association here on the net, for you might find someone there to help you.

Don't worry about getting it 100%, he'll cry at just seeing the profile of his old rust bucket that was built by you and your love.

Scott

My grandfather served on this ship during the modernazation and took some pictures.The problem is,he's the only one who knows where they are and they are in black and white.Also this is a christmas present for him that the whole family is chipping in as a group,so I can't ask for the pics.It's a difficult task and the family is pitching in on the cash while I'm doing the research and the build.I do know that the gun mounts were taken off the deck and placed in sections along the hanger deck.The island stayed the same.
My grandfathers tour was over before 1952,but he has fond memories of the guys he worked around.

I'll check these sites and see if they will fit my needs and possible give more on references.Thanks for the airplane info.He told me they had jets,but most of his work was down below and didn't spend much time on deck.

This might be helpful:

http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-k/cv33.htm

To get aircraft from that time your best bet is to order the aircraft directly from White Ensign Models off of their web site.

I am currently modifying a Italeri Saratoga (CV-60) to be the Forrestal @1955-1956. I'll be interested in anything you find about carriers in the early 1950's.

According to all the sources I've read, the Kearsarge was in the yards from June of 1950 to February of 1952 for her SCB27A modernization. She did sea trials in the Atlantic and was sent to WestPac in the summer of 1952. Her Korean deployment went from September 52 through February of 53.

Her aircraft complements after the refit were of F9F Panthers, AD1 Skyraiders, F4U-5 Corsairs, F2 Banshee, and Dragonfly helo.

Before 1950, she would have had the F9F Panther, Corsair, M-1 Mauler, F7F Tigercat, and TBM Avenger.

Floating Drydock had plans for the Kearsarge years ago but no longer carry them. As far as pictures, there are few on the net of her in her early configurations so hopefully some vets or researchers here might have some better sources.

What period are you planning on doing this build? In 1/350, converting either the Trumpy Essex or scratchbuilding is going to be quite a job. Besides a redesigned island and wider hull, there is the question to answer as to where all the gun placements went and other small details since each ship was different. I know because I'm doing this sort of project also in both 1/350 and 1/700 of the Oriskany. Fortunatly, there is a lot of pictures of this more known ship.

White Ensign Models and Pacific Front Hobbies carry a range of aircraft for this period in both 1/700 and 1/350. However, only the Panther, by Corsair Armada, so far has been produced in the 1/350 jet catagory. All of the prop planes can be found in resin at these places. The Dragonfly helo also has not yet been produced in 1/350.

Another hint to find out about colors and details of these carriers in this time period is to watch two movies. "The Bridges at Toko Ri" and the "Cain Mutiny" both show extensive color and detail of a ship during the 1950 - 1953 time frame.


Scott