Hunter Suggests NATO Take Over JFK Flattop

Aviation Now ^ | 15 May 06 | Michael Bruno

[LSUfan]

The chairman of the House Armed Services Committee is suggesting NATO take over the USS John F. Kennedy aircraft carrier, which the U.S. Navy and the Bush administration want to retire early for budget reasons.

[MikefromOhio]

LOL

Pwn3d!!

[The Iguana]

My question is: What kind of shape is the ship in?

Is it in as bad a shape as the Constellation was?

[Pukin Dog]

My reply wasn't about your post. You were not the only one who didn't know there were other carriers in NATO.
We can discuss my high horse another time.

[MikefromOhio]

Wasn't the Kitty Hawk just retired?

[Pukin Dog]

Is it in as bad a shape as the Constellation was?

Worse. Much worse.

[Stonewall Jackson]

While this is pretty small compared to our modern carriers, don't forget that all of our WW2 escort and light carriers were 11,000-tons or less.

That being said, these jump-jet carriers would be in a whole mess of trouble if they went up against a modern land-based air force.

[Pukin Dog]

And dont be surprised if under a Dem admin you see the USS 'Bent' Clinton commissioned. (Arrgggg)

Before this administration ends, they will name some supply vessel or other support ship after Clinton to use up the name.

[LSUfan]

HMS Boisterous? HMS Wreckless? HMS Inebriated?

How hard is it to change out propeller shafts?

[LSUfan]

Kitty Hawk (CV63) is still in commission and homeported in Japan.

[GW and Twins Pawpaw]

No, rename her and THEN sink her!!!:-)

[LSUfan]

Wrong. Italy, Spain and the UK have small VTOL carriers with no arresting gear and no catapults, and none have canted decks either.

When did you say your Daddy flew F-14s?

[Malsua]

I thought the Akron Hanger was still in place

I just checked Google Earth and it's still there as of the last pass of the Sat. I grew up in the area and later did some work at Loral which was on the property. You cannot imagine how huge the Airdock is until you get right up to it.

[Doe Eyes]

Argentina need to work on their bombs (they don't seem to consistently explode).

[Yo-Yo]

What I'm saying is that if the Brits or NATO threw down the money for a deck that size, wouldn't logic also follow that they would try to get another type of plane to go with it?

Not only do you get a deck that size, you get the hanger deck that lives under a deck that size.

And as I said before, the Brits are buying F-35B STOVLs, so it wouldn't be a stretch to also purchase some F-35C carrier variants in the future. Or just weld a ski ramp on the nose of the JFK and maybe another off the angled deck and be done with it.

[stbdside]

Make sure there's plenty of booze on the mess decks.

[Paleo Conservative]

I would love to see a German CVN hanging off the Iranian Coast someday,

The JFK isn't a CVN. Actually didn't JFK say, 'I Am a Jelly Doughnut?'

[Peelod]

Scientologists have a thing for the sea.

[freekitty]

They want mo money. Geez, they have already broken the backs of the American people.

[MikefromOhio]

LOL

now THAT would look weird....

[MikefromOhio]

yeah but I think I remember reading something that she's due to be retired soon but the Japanese don't want a Nuclear replacement sent....or something to that effect...

Let me look around a bit...I think there was a thread about it....