June2005
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Hong Kong
USS Kitty Hawk
When
the branch learnt that America's oldest active warship the USS Kitty
Hawk (CV63) was making a courtesy call to Hong Kong, a visit was quickly
arranged. On a cold and very breezy day, branch members and guests
gathered at Queen's Ferry Pier then joined the carrier by launch out at
the anchorage. We were given a guided tour, visiting the hangar bay, the
flight deck and the forecastle. On the flight deck, our guide gave us a
detailed explanation of how the steam-driven catapults hurl the
aircraft off the deck and how the arresting gear (a total of three sets,
so three chances) catch the aircraft as they land. It was also
interesting to note that every take off and landing is videoed so that
pilots can fine tune their take off and landing skills. The flight deck
of a carrier during operations has been described 'as one of the most
dangerous ballets in the world', given the number of aircraft, people
and equipment working in a confined area. We also enjoyed looking at the
different aircraft and helicopters including Super Hornets, Prowlers,
Seahawks and Sikorsky helicopters.
For
those who enjoy facts and figures, the Kitty Hawk has plenty to offer.
She was commissioned in 1961, is part of the Pacific fleet and is based
in Yokosuka, Japan. She has an 86,000 tonnes displacement, a speed of
more than 30 knots, fuel capacity of 15,200 m3, four
propellers each 21 feet wide, a crew of 5300 including 350 women, 65
hospital beds, five dentists, two lawyers, three chaplains and average
daily soda consumption — 5040 cans a day!
Graham Cowling FNI
Seaways
June 2005