The USN used really only operated two types of fleet carrier in WWII; the most common being the Essex Class; built in large numbers thru the course of the war.. so many to choose from.
Saratoga; Hornet; Wasp; Enterprise and Lexington were all essentially obsolete on the outbreak of hostilities... and have already been modeled elsewhere.
I have a nomination for an Essex class Fleet carrier that served with notable distinction during the war.. The USS Hancock (CV19)
Hancock would make a wonderful addition.. she served with great honor and distinction during WWII.. and Korea, and went on to be the last teak-decked carrier in the fleet; the first with an angled deck upgrade. She was launching Alpha strikes from the Tonkin Gulf clear thru the Vietnam War. No other WWII era carrier; including Intrepid (last example aloat of the Essex Class) launched more A/C; fought longer; did more or gave the navy better service.
The approximatlty 872,000 naval aviators and crewmen who served aboard this proud ship (including my brother) during her remarkably long service would be honored to see the 'Hanna' modeled in AH.
Hang
Hanna's stats:
THE LIFE OF CV/CVA-19 - 1944-1976
The aircraft carrier USS HANCOCK CV-19, the third vessel of the United States Navy named in honor of the famed statesman, John Hancock, was launched on January 24, 1944, at the Bethlehem Steel Company in Quincy, MA. She was formally accepted into the Navy on 15 April 1944. The carrier was destined for the Pacific Fleet.
DATA
Commissioned 15 April 1944 De-commissioned 9 May 1947 Re-designated CVA-19 1 October 1952 Re-commissioned 15 February 1954 First steam catapult installed May 1954 De-commissioned 30 January 1976 Broken up 31 January 1976
WWII - Oct. 10, 1944 to Aug. 15, 1945
Philippines, Iwo Jima, Japan 1944-1945. Damaged by explosion 21 January 1945 Damaged by a Kamikaze 7 April 1945 Awarded Navy Unit Commendation Asiatic-Pacific Area Campaign Service Medal with five battle stars American Area Campaign Medal World War II Victory Medal Philippine Liberation Campaign Ribbon (two stars) Republic of the Philippines Presidential Unit Citation Badge
Scorecard WWII
723 enemy planes destroyed 17 warships sunk 31 merchant ships sunk 10 enemy planes downed by ships guns (all in only 9 months) 221 shipmates either killed or missing in action
VIETNAM DEPLOYMENT AS CVA-19
12 (tied with Oriskany CVA-34 for most deployments) Last Western Pacific deployment 18 March 1975 - 20 October 1975 Participated in Operation "Eagle Pull" evacuation of Phnom Penh, Cambodia and Operation "Frequent Wind" evacuation of Saigon, South Vietnam in April 1975 One of last Essex class carriers to operate in the attack role.
For additional historical information, contact:
David L. Reineman, Historian
514 Calle Baranda
San Clemente, CA 92673
Tel (714) 498-2014
