Essex 1943
Intrepid 1944
Randolph 1944
Essex 1944
Yorktown 1944
Randolph 1945
Lexington 1945
| No | Name | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Comm | Fate |
| CV9, 10/1952- CVA9, 3/1960- CVS9 | Essex | Newport News | 28/4/1941 | 31/7/1942 | 31/12/1942 | ASW aircraft carrier 3/1960, stricken 15/6/1975 |
| CV10, 10/1952- CVA10, 9/1957- CVS10 | Yorktown (ex-Bon Homme Richard) | Newport News | 1/12/1941 | 21/1/1943 | 15/4/1943 | ASW aircraft carrier 9/1957, stricken 1/6/1973, preserved |
| CV11, 10/1952- CVA11, 3/1962- CVS11 | Intrepid | Newport News | 1/12/1941 | 26/4/1943 | 16/8/1943 | ASW aircraft carrier 3/1962, stricken 23/2/1982, preserved |
| CV12, 10/1952- CVA12, 6/1959- CVS12 | Hornet (ex-Kearsarge) | Newport News | 3/8/1942 | 30/8/1943 | 29/11/1943 | ASW aircraft carrier 6/1959, stricken 25/7/1989, preserved |
| CV13, 10/1952- CVA13, 8/1953- CVS13, 5/1959- AVT8 | Franklin | Newport News | 7/12/1942 | 14/10/1943 | 31/1/1944 | ASW aircraft carrier 10/1952, aviation transport 5/1959, stricken 1/10/1964 |
| CV14, 10/1952- CVA14, 10/1969- CVS14 | Ticonderoga (ex-Hancock) | Newport News | 1/2/1943 | 7/2/1944 | 8/5/1944 | ASW aircraft carrier 10/1969, stricken 16/11/1973 |
| CV15, 10/1952- CVA15, 3/1959- CVS15 | Randolph | Newport News | 10/5/1943 | 29/6/1944 | 9/10/1944 | ASW aircraft carrier 3/1959, stricken 15/6/1973 |
| CV16, 10/1952 - CVA16, 10/1962 - CVS16, 1/1969 - CVT16, 7/1978 - AVT16 | Lexington (ex-Cabot) | Bethlehem, Quincy | 15/9/1941 | 26/9/1942 | 17/2/1943 | ASW aircraft carrier 10/1962, training aircraft carrier 1/1969, auxiliary aircraft landing training ship 7/1978, stricken 30/11/1991, preserved |
| CV17, 10/1952- CVA17, 8/1953- CVS17 | Bunker Hill | Bethlehem, Quincy | 15/9/1941 | 7/12/1942 | 20/5/1943 | ASW aircraft carrier 8/1953, stricken 1/11/1966 |
| CV18, 10/1952- CVA18, 11/1956- CVS18 | Wasp (ex-Oriskany) | Bethlehem, Quincy | 18/3/1942 | 17/8/1943 | 24/11/1943 | ASW aircraft carrier 11/1956, stricken 1/7/1972 |
| CV19, 10/1952 - CVA19, 6/1975 - CV19 | Hancock (ex-Ticonderoga) | Bethlehem, Quincy | 26/1/1943 | 17/8/1943 | 15/4/1944 | stricken 31/1/1976 |
| CV20, 10/1952- CVA20, 6/1959- CVS20 | Bennington | Newport News | 15/12/1942 | 26/2/1944 | 6/8/1944 | ASW aircraft carrier 6/1959, stricken 20/9/1989 |
| CV21, 10/1952- CVA21, 11/1955- CVS21, 1/1959- LPH4 | Boxer | Newport News | 13/9/1943 | 14/12/1944 | 16/4/1945 | ASW aircraft carrier 11/1955, assault helicopter carrier 1/1959, stricken 1/12/1969 |
| CV31, 10/1952- CVA31, 6/1975- CV31 | Bon Homme Richard | New York N Yd, Brooklyn | 1/2/1943 | 29/4/1944 | 26/11/1944 | stricken 20/9/1989 |
| CV32, 10/1952- CVA32, 8/1953- CVS32, 5/1959- AVT10 | Leyte (ex-Crown Point) | Newport News | 21/2/1944 | 23/8/1945 | 11/4/1946 | ASW aircraft carrier 8/1953, aviation transport 5/1959, stricken 1/6/1969 |
| CV33, 10/1952- CVA33, 10/1958- CVS33 | Kearsarge | New York N Yd, Brooklyn | 1/3/1944 | 5/5/1945 | 2/3/1946 | ASW aircraft carrier 10/1958, stricken 1/5/1973 |
| CV34, 10/1952- CVA34, 6/1975- CV34 | Oriskany | New York N Yd, Brooklyn | 1/5/1944 | 13/10/1945 | 25/9/1950 | stricken 25/7/1989 |
| CV35 | Reprisal | New York N Yd, Brooklyn | 1/7/1944 | 1946 | --- | cancelled 11/8/1945 |
| CV36, 10/1952- CVA36, 8/1953- CVS36 | Antietam | Philadelphia N Yd | 15/3/1943 | 20/8/1944 | 28/1/1945 | ASW aircraft carrier 8/1953, stricken 1/5/1973 |
| CV37, 10/1952- CVA37, 11/1953- CVS37, 3/1959- LPH5 | Princeton (ex-Valley Forge) | Philadelphia N Yd | 14/9/1943 | 8/7/1945 | 18/11/1945 | ASW aircraft carrier 11/1953, assault helicopter carrier 3/1959, stricken 30/1/1970 |
| CV38, 10/1952- CVA38, 6/1969- CVS38 | Shangri La | Norfolk N Yd, Portsmouth | 15/1/1943 | 24/2/1944 | 15/9/1944 | ASW aircraft carrier 6/1969, stricken 15/7/1982 |
| CV39, 10/1952- CVA39, 8/1957- CVS39 | Lake Champlain | Norfolk N Yd, Portsmouth | 15/3/1943 | 2/11/1944 | 3/6/1945 | ASW aircraft carrier 8/1957, stricken 1/12/1969 |
| CV40, 10/1952- CVA40, 1/1955- CVS40, 1961- AVT12 | Tarawa | Norfolk N Yd, Portsmouth | 1/3/1944 | 12/5/1945 | 8/12/1945 | ASW aircraft carrier 1/1955, aviation transport 1961, stricken 1/6/1967 |
| CV45, 10/1952- CVA45, 11/1953- CVS45, 7/1961- LPH8 | Valley Forge | Philadelphia N Yd | 7/9/1944 | 18/11/1945 | 3/11/1946 | ASW aircraft carrier 11/1953, assault helicopter carrier 7/1961, stricken 15/1/1970 |
| CV46 | Iwo Jima | Philadelphia N Yd | 29/1/1945 | --- | --- | cancelled 11/8/1945 |
| CV47, 10/1952- CVA47, 11/1955- CVS47, 5/1959- AVT11 | Philippine Sea (ex-Wright) | Bethlehem, Quincy | 19/8/1944 | 5/9/1945 | 11/5/1946 | ASW aircraft carrier 11/1955, aviation transport 5/1959, stricken 1/12/1969 |
CV9-21, 31-33, 36-40, 45, 47:
|
Displacement standard, t |
27208 |
|
Displacement full, t |
34881 |
|
Length, m |
CV9 - 13, 16 - 18, 20, 31: 249.9 wl, 265.8 oa CV14, 15, 17 - 19, 21, 32 - 40, 45 - 47: 249.9 wl, 270.7 oa |
|
Breadth, m |
28.3 wl 45.0 oa |
|
Draught, m |
8.38 full load |
|
No of shafts |
4 |
|
Machinery |
Westinghouse geared steam turbines, 8 Babcock & Wilcox boilers |
|
Power, h. p. |
150000 |
|
Max speed, kts |
32.7 |
|
Fuel, t |
oil 4758 - 6330 |
| Endurance, nm (kts) | 15440 (15) |
|
Armour, mm |
belt: 102 - 64, hangar deck: 64, main deck: 38 |
|
Armament |
CV9: 4 x 2 - 127/38 Mk 12, 4 x 1 - 127/38 Mk 12, 8 x 4 - 40/56 Bofors, 46 x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon, 91 aircraft (F4F Wildcat, F4U Corsair fighters, SB2U Vindicator, SB2C Helldiver, SBD Dauntless dive bombers, TBF, TBM Avenger torpedo bombers, SOC Seagull reconnaissance planes) CV10 - 12, 16 -18: 4 x 2 - 127/38 Mk 12, 4 x 1 - 127/38 Mk 12, 8 x 4 - 40/56 Bofors, 46 x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon, 91 aircraft (F4F Wildcat, F4U Corsair, F6F Hellcat fighters, SB2C Helldiver, SBD Dauntless dive bombers, TBF/TBM Avenger torpedo bombers, SOC Seagull reconnaissance planes) CV13, 14, 19: 4 x 2 - 127/38 Mk 12, 4 x 1 - 127/38 Mk 12, 8 x 4 - 40/56 Bofors, 46 x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon, 91 aircraft (F4F Wildcat, F4U Corsair, F6F Hellcat, F7F Tigercat fighters, SB2C Helldiver, SBD Dauntless dive bombers, TBF/TBM Avenger torpedo bombers, SOC Seagull reconnaissance planes) CV15, 20, 31, 38: 4 x 2 - 127/38 Mk 12, 4 x 1 - 127/38 Mk 12, 10 x 4 - 40/56 Bofors, 57 x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon, 91 aircraft (F4F Wildcat, F4U Corsair, F6F Hellcat, F7F Tigercat fighters, SBD Dauntless, SB2C Helldiver dive bombers, TBF/TBM Avenger torpedo bombers, SOC Seagull reconnaissance planes) CV21: 4 x 2 - 127/38 Mk 12, 4 x 1 - 127/38 Mk 12, 18 x 4 - 40/56 Bofors, 35 x 2 - 20/70 Oerlikon, 91 aircraft (F4F Wildcat, F4U Corsair, F6F Hellcat, F7F Tigercat, FR Fireball fighters, SB2C Helldiver dive bombers, TBF/TBM Avenger torpedo bombers, SOC Seagull reconnaissance planes) CV32, 33: 4 x 2 - 127/38 Mk 12, 4 x 1 - 127/38 Mk 12, 18 x 4 - 40/56 Bofors, 35 x 2 - 20/70 Oerlikon, 91 aircraft (F4U Corsair, F6F Hellcat, F7F Tigercat, FR Fireball, F8F Bearcat fighters, SB2C Helldiver dive bombers, TBF/TBM Avenger torpedo bombers) CV36: 4 x 2 - 127/38 Mk 12, 4 x 1 - 127/38 Mk 12, 18 x 4 - 40/56 Bofors, 16 x 2 - 20/70 Oerlikon, 23 x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon, 91 aircraft (F4F Wildcat, F4U Corsair, F6F Hellcat, F7F Tigercat fighters, SB2C Helldiver dive bombers, TBF/TBM Avenger torpedo bombers, SOC Seagull reconnaissance planes) CV37: 4 x 2 - 127/38 Mk 12, 4 x 1 - 127/38 Mk 12, 18 x 4 - 40/56 Bofors, 16 x 2 - 20/70 Oerlikon, 23 x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon, 91 aircraft (F4F Wildcat, F4U Corsair, F6F Hellcat, F7F Tigercat, FR Fireball, F8F Bearcat fighters, SB2C Helldiver dive bombers, TBF/TBM Avenger torpedo bombers) CV39: 4 x 2 - 127/38 Mk 12, 4 x 1 - 127/38 Mk 12, 18 x 4 - 40/56 Bofors, 16 x 2 - 20/70 Oerlikon, 23 x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon, 91 aircraft (F4F Wildcat, F4U Corsair, F6F Hellcat, F7F Tigercat, FR Fireball, F8F Bearcat fighters, SB2C Helldiver dive bombers, TBF/TBM Avenger torpedo bombers, SOC Seagull reconnaissance planes) CV40, 45, 47: 4 x 2 - 127/38 Mk 12, 4 x 1 - 127/38 Mk 12, 18 x 4 - 40/56 Bofors, 16 x 2 - 20/70 Oerlikon, 23 x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon, 91 aircraft (F4U Corsair, F6F Hellcat, F7F Tigercat, FR Fireball, F8F Bearcat fighters, SB2C Helldiver dive bombers, TBF/TBM Avenger torpedo bombers) |
| Sensors |
CV9: SK, SC-2, SG, 2x Mk 4 radars presumably CV10 - 12, 16 - 18: SK, SC-2, SG, SM, 2x Mk 12/22 radars presumably CV13 - 15, 19, 20, 31, 38: SK-2, SC-2, SG, SM, 2x Mk 12/22 radars presumably CV21, 32, 33, 36, 37, 39, 40, 45, 47: SK-2, SR, SG, SP, 2x Mk 12/22 radars |
|
Complement |
2682 |
Aircraft facilities (fd - 8,648 / 8,468 m², ha - 4,247 m² / 22,723 m³): Flight deck: 262.8 (CV9 - 13, 16 - 18, 20, 31) / 257.4 (CV14, 15, 17 - 19, 21, 32 - 40, 45 - 47) x 32.9 m. Hangar: 199.4 x 21.3 x 5.35 m. There were 2 lifts in center line (12.7 t, 14.7 x 13.5 m) and 1 deck-edge lift (12.7 t, 18.3 x 10.4 m). CV9 had no catapults, CV10 - 13, 17, 18 had one flight deck H-IV and one doubled athwartships H-IV in hangar, CV16 had one flight deck H-IV, CV14, 15, 19 - 21, 31 - 40, 45 - 47 had two flight deck H-IV catapults. Aircraft fuel stowage: 908 900 l.
|
Year |
fighters |
dive bombers, fighters-bombers |
torpedo bombers, attackers |
reconnaissance, early warning, ECM planes |
ASW planes and helos |
|
11/1943 Essex |
36 F6F-3 Hellcat |
36 SBD-5 Dauntless |
18 TBF-1 Avenger |
--- |
--- |
|
6/1944 Wasp |
34 F6F-3 Hellcat, 5 F6F-3N Hellcat |
32 SB2C Helldiver |
18 TBF-1 Avenger |
--- |
--- |
|
11/1944 Wasp |
54 F6F-3/5 Hellcat |
24 SB2C-3 Helldiver |
15 TBM-1C Avenger |
--- |
--- |
|
1/1945 Essex |
27 F6F-3 Hellcat, 17 F6F-5 Hellcat |
36 F4U-1D Corsair |
18 TBM-1C Avenger |
--- |
--- |
|
3/1945 Randolph |
49 F6F-5 Hellcat, 4 F6F-5N Hellcat, 2 F6F-5E Hellcat |
15 SB2C-4E Helldiver |
15 TBM-3 Avenger |
2 F6F-5P Hellcat |
--- |
|
7/1945 Bon Homme Richard |
37 F6F-5N Hellcat |
--- |
18 TBM-3 Avenger |
--- |
--- |
|
6/1950 Valley Forge |
30 F9F-2B Panther |
28 F4U-4B Corsair, 3 F4U-5N Corsair |
14 AD-4 Skyraider, 2 AD-3N Skyraider |
2 F4U-5P Corsair, 3 AD-4Q Skyraider, 1 AD-3Q Skyraider, 3 AD-5W Skyraider |
2 HO3S-1 Chickasaw |
|
1952 Oriskany |
24 F9F Panther |
16 F4U-4/F4U-5N Corsair |
18 AD-3/AD-4N Skyraider |
4 F2H-2P Banshee, 2 AD-3W Skyraider |
--- |
|
1956 Wasp |
4 F2H Banshee |
--- |
--- |
4 AD-5W Skyraider |
20 S2F Tracker, 10 HSS-1 Seabat |
|
1960 Princeton |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
2 HR2S Mojave, 24 HUS Seahorse |
|
1966 Intrepid |
--- |
--- |
24 A-4B Skyhawk, 24 A-1H Skyraider |
--- |
6 UH-2A/B Sea Sprite |
|
1973 Oriskany |
24 F-8J Crusader |
--- |
36 A-7B Corsair |
4 RF-8G Crusader, 4 E-1B Tracer, 3 EKA-3B Skywarrior |
4 SH-3G Sea King |
Ship project history: Most well-known American aircraft carriers, brought the invaluable contribution to victory over Japan in days of the Second World War. The fact of building in the shortest terms of 24 ships of this class is really unique: such big series of so large warships yet were not in history of world shipbuilding.
The project of Essex was developed in 1939-1940 on the basis of CV5 Yorktown aircraft carrier and differed by increased dimensions, strengthened AA armament, improved horizontal armour protection, more powerful catapults, advanced machinery and a number of other innovations. Number of carried airplanes grown also, that has caused increase of aircraft magazines and petrol tanks capacity.
The sizes of flight deck of Essex and 8 more ships were 262.8υ32.9m, aircraft-carriers of the second group (CV14, 15, 19, 21, 32-40, 45-47) had hulls lengthened on 4.9 m, and flight decks shortened to 257.4m; it was been made for increase of raking angles of bow and stern AA guns. Under the project each ship should carry three catapults: two on flight deck and one transverse in hangar. Really Essex was commissioned without the catapults, following ships with one deck and one hangar catapults (latter was mounted on six ships: CV10, 12-14, 17 and 18). By the end of 1943 all ships, both commissioned and built, had two deck catapults, all hangar catapults were dismounted.
Fitting of the deck-edge elevator which has been taken out of contour of deck became the important innovation in the aircraft armament. Such construction increased hangar useful area, raised durability of a flight deck at the expense of liquidation of additional cut in it, allowed ability to lift aircrafts which dimensions exceeded the sizes of the elevator. Others two elevators were usual.
Horizontal protection of Essex, in comparison with the first Yorktown, has been significantly strengthened at the expense of increase in a thickness of hangar deck to 64mm. However, unlike British fleet carriers, the flight deck remained not armoured. Breadth of underwater protection was 5.1 m from each side.
The propulsive plant of new carriers had arrangement en echelon and has been unified with machinery of cruisers of Atlanta class, representing as though doubled variant of latter. As a whole machineries of all ships have appeared quite successful: they differed by high reliability and could smoothly work with at full speed for a long time. So, in November, 1945 Lake Champlain has crossed Atlantic in four days and 9 hours with an average speed of 32.048kts.
As a whole Essex class carriers have appeared rather successful ships, frequently they were called as best carriers in a history. At the same time they possessed a number of lacks: weak construction of flight deck, bad seaworthiness, bad ventilation of internal compartments, congestion of inhabited volumes. In the absence of armoured flight deck these carriers very hardly maintained blows of kamikazes, strongly suffered from fires followed by extremely large crews losses.
At the end of war it was appeared that Essexes could not operate new jet aircraft. Incomplete Oriskany was suspended pending completion of new design and completed in 1950 under revised SCB-27A design, existing ships (CV9, 10, 12, 15, 18, 20, 33, 39) were converted to SCB-27A later. SCB-27A design included following changes: strengthened flight deck, more powerful H-8 catapults, decreased number of 127mm guns, island superstructure was reconstructed for better radar antenna coverage, hull was blistered (blisters were faired into the hull to the hangar deck level and were invisible outside).
SCB-27B conversion program was dropped and next conversion was to SCB-27C standard (CV11, 14, 16, 19, 31, 38): ships received slightly wider blisters, two new C-11 steam catapults, aft centreline elevator was relocated to aft starboard deck-edge, arresting gears were improved. CV16, 31 and 38 received also angled decks and "hurricane bows".
Later CV11, 14 and 19 were brought up to SCB-125 standard (Oriskany to SCB-125A). Almost all SCB-27A ships (CV9, 10, 12, 15, 18, 20, 33) were also given angled decks and enclosed bows. 15 ships were modernised, two carriers badly damaged late in the war (Franklin and Bunker Hill) were never reactivated. Antietam became test ship for the angled flight deck and then training carrier. Boxer, Princeton and Valley Forge became assault helicopter carriers with cargo stowed on former hangar deck. Ships had insufficient troop spaces with not suitable accommodations and so was not considered true LPH by the Marines (for example, Princeton had Marine spaces ranging in capacity from 4 to 157 men, such division would destroy unit cohesion).
Unmodernised ships were transferred to ASW duty and received CVS designation, later SCB-27As were also reduced to ASW service. Only CVA19, 31 and 34 were listed as attack carriers at the end of Vietnam War, CVA11 operated off Vietnam as "light" attack carrier.
Eight CVSs were modernised during FRAM program (CVS9-12, 15, 18, 20, 33), they received new bow sonar and improved ASW-adapted CIC.
Ship protection: Main deck was connected with upper edge of armour belt. There was 5.1m deep underwater protection.
Modernizations: To summer 1945, Essex: - SK, SC-2, 2x Mk 4 radars; + 3 x 4 - 40/56 Bofors, 15 x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon, SK-2, SR, SP, 2x Mk 12/22 radars, 2 flight deck catapults
To summer 1945, Yorktown, Intrepid: - SK, SC-2, SM radars, double athwartships capult; + 9 x 4 - 40/56 Bofors, 15 x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon, SK-2, SR, SP radars 1 flight deck catapult
To summer 1945, Hornet: - 11 x 1 - 20/70, SK, SC-2, SM radars, double athwartships capult; + 2 x 4 - 40/56 Bofors, SK-2, SR, SP radars, 1 flight deck catapult
To 1946, Franklin: - SC-2, SM radars, double athwartships capult; + SR, SP radars, 1 flight deck catapult
To summer 1945, Ticonderoga: - 46 x 1 - 20/70, SC-2, SM radars; + 10 x 4 - 40/56 Bofors, 35 x 2 - 20/70 Oerlikon, SR, SP radars
To summer 1945, Randolph: - 1 x 1 - 20/70, SC-2, SM radars; + 8 x 4 - 40/56 Bofors, SR, SP radars
To summer 1945, Lexington: - 46 x 1 - 20/70, SK, SC-2, SM radars; + 9 x 4 - 40/56 Bofors, 30 x 2 - 20/70 Oerlikon, 5 x 4 - 12.7/90, SK-2, SR, SP radars, 1 flight deck catapult
To summer 1945, Bunker Hill: - 46 x 1 - 20/70, SK, SC-2, SM radars, double athwartships capult; + 9 x 4 - 40/56 Bofors, 35 x 2 - 20/70 Oerlikon, SK-2, SR, SP radars, 1 flight deck catapult
To summer 1945, Wasp: - 46 x 1 - 20/70, SK, SC-2, SM radars, double athwartships capult; + 9 x 4 - 40/56 Bofors, 29 x 2 - 20/70 Oerlikon, 6 x 4 - 12.7/90, SK-2, SR, SP radars, 1 flight deck catapult
To summer 1945, Hancock: - SC-2, SM radars; + 10 x 4 - 40/56 Bofors, 13 x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon, SR, SP radars
To summer 1945, Bennington: - SC-2, SM radars; + 8 x 4 - 40/56 Bofors, 3 x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon, SR, SP radars
To summer 1945, Bon Homme Richard: - 1 x 1 - 20/70, SC-2, SM radars; + 7 x 4 - 40/56 Bofors, SR, SP radars
To summer 1945, Shangri La: - 50 x 1 - 20/70, SC-2, SM radars; + 1 x 4 - 40/56 Bofors, 53 x 2 - 20/70 Oerlikon, SR, SP radars
1950 - 1953, 9 ships were reconstructed by design SCB-27A (Oriskany was commissioned in this configuration). Flight deck was strengthened, superstructure rebuilt. Bulges were fitted. Data was as follows:
Kearsarge 1954
Oriskany 1950
| No | Name | Reconstructed | Yard | Fate |
| CV9, 10/1952- CVA9, 3/1960- CVS9 | Essex | 9/1948-2/1951 | Bremerton N Yd | ASW aircraft carrier 3/1960, stricken 15/6/1975 |
| CVA10, 9/1957- CVS10 | Yorktown (ex-Bon Homme Richard) | 5/1951-1/1953 | Bremerton N Yd | ASW aircraft carrier 9/1957, stricken 1/6/1973, preserved |
| CVA12, 6/1959- CVS12 | Hornet (ex-Kearsarge) | 5/1951-10/1953 | New York N Yd | ASW aircraft carrier 6/1959, stricken 25/7/1989, preserved |
| CVA15, 3/1959- CVS15 | Randolph | 1/1952-7/1953 | Newport News | ASW aircraft carrier 3/1959, stricken 15/6/1973 |
| CV18, 10/1952- CVA18, 11/1956- CVS18 | Wasp (ex-Oriskany) | 9/1948-9/1951 | New York N Yd | ASW aircraft carrier 11/1956, stricken 1/7/1972 |
| CV20, 10/1952- CVA20, 6/1959- CVS20 | Bennington | 10/1950-11/1951 | New York N Yd | ASW aircraft carrier 6/1959, stricken20/9/1989 |
| CV3, 10/1952- CVA33, 10/1958- CVS33 | Kearsarge | 6/1950-3/1952 | Bremerton N Yd | ASW aircraft carrier 10/1958, stricken 1/5/1973 |
| CV34, 10/1952- CVA34, 6/1975- CV34 | Oriskany | 9/1950 (commissioned) | New York N Yd | stricken 25/7/1989 |
| CV39, 10/1952- CVA39, 8/1957- CVS39 | Lake Champlain | 8/1950-9/1952 | Newport News | ASW aircraft carrier 8/1957, stricken 1/12/1969 |
|
Displacement standard, t |
28404 |
|
Displacement full, t |
40600 |
|
Length, m |
249.7 wl 273.8 oa |
|
Breadth, m |
30.9 wl 46.3 oa |
|
Draught, m |
9.10 |
|
No of shafts |
4 |
|
Machinery |
Westinghouse geared steam turbines, 8 Babcock & Wilcox boilers |
|
Power, h. p. |
150000 |
|
Max speed, kts |
30 |
|
Fuel, t |
oil |
| Endurance, nm (kts) | 15000 (15) |
|
Armour, mm |
belt: 37, hangar deck: 64, main deck: 38 |
|
Armament |
CV9, 18, 20: 8 x 1 - 127/38 Mk 24, 14 x 2 - 76/50 Mk 33, circa 80 aircraft (F4U/FG Corsair, F6F Hellcat, F7F Tigercat, F8F Bearcat, F2H Banshee, F9F Panther, F6U Pirate, F3D Skyknight fighters, AD Skyraider attackers, TBF/TBM Avenger torpedo bombers, F4U-P Corsair, F6F-P Hellcat, F8F-P Bearcat, F2H-P Banshee, F9F-P Panther reconnaissance planes, TBM-3S Avenger, AF Guardian ASW planes, AD-Q Skyraider ECM planes, TBM-3W Avenger, AD-W Skyraider early warning planes, TBM-3R Avenger cargo planes, HUK Huskee, HUP, HO4S/HRS Chickasaw helicopters) CVA10: 8 x 1 - 127/38 Mk 24, 14 x 2 - 76/50 Mk 33, circa 80 aircraft (F4U/FG Corsair, F6F Hellcat, F7F Tigercat, F8F Bearcat, F2H Banshee, F9F Panther, F3D Skyknight, F9F Cougar fighters, AU Corsair, AD Skyraider attackers, TBF/TBM Avenger torpedo bombers, F4U-P Corsair, F6F-P Hellcat, F8F-P Bearcat, F2H-P Banshee, F9F-P Panther, F9F-P Cougar reconnaissance planes, TBM-3S Avenger, AF Guardian ASW planes, AD-Q Skyraider ECM planes, TBM-3W Avenger, AD-W Skyraider early warning planes, TBM-3R Avenger cargo planes, HUK Huskee, HUP, HO4S/HRS Chickasaw, HO5S helicopters) CVA12: 8 x 1 - 127/38 Mk 24, 14 x 2 - 76/50 Mk 33, circa 80 aircraft (F4U/FG Corsair, F7F Tigercat, F2H Banshee, F9F Panther, F3D Skyknight, F9F Cougar fighters, AU Corsair, AD Skyraider attackers, TBF/TBM Avenger torpedo bombers, F4U-P Corsair, F8F-P Bearcat, F2H-P Banshee, F9F-P Panther, F9F-P Cougar reconnaissance planes, TBM-3S Avenger, AF Guardian ASW planes, AD-Q Skyraider ECM planes, TBM-3W Avenger, AD-W Skyraider early warning planes, TBM-3R Avenger cargo planes, HUK Huskee, HUP, HO4S/HRS Chickasaw, HO5S helicopters) CVA15: 8 x 1 - 127/38 Mk 24, 14 x 2 - 76/50 Mk 33, circa 80 aircraft (F4U/FG Corsair, F6F Hellcat, F7F Tigercat, F2H Banshee, F9F Panther, F3D Skyknight, F9F Cougar fighters, AU Corsair, AD Skyraider attackers, TBF/TBM Avenger torpedo bombers, F4U-P Corsair, F6F-P Hellcat, F8F-P Bearcat, F2H-P Banshee, F9F-P Panther, F9F-P Cougar reconnaissance planes, TBM-3S Avenger, AF Guardian ASW planes, AD-Q Skyraider ECM planes, TBM-3W Avenger, AD-W Skyraider early warning planes, TBM-3R Avenger cargo planes, HUK Huskee, HUP, HO4S/HRS Chickasaw, HO5S helicopters) CVA33: 8 x 1 - 127/38 Mk 24, 14 x 2 - 76/50 Mk 33, circa 80 aircraft (F4U/FG Corsair, F6F Hellcat, F7F Tigercat, F8F Bearcat, F2H Banshee, F9F Panther, F6U Pirate, F3D Skyknight fighters, AU Corsair, AD Skyraider attackers, TBF/TBM Avenger torpedo bombers, F4U-P Corsair, F6F-P Hellcat, F8F-P Bearcat, F2H-P Banshee, F9F-P Panther reconnaissance planes, TBM-3S Avenger, AF Guardian ASW planes, AD-Q Skyraider ECM planes, TBM-3W Avenger, AD-W Skyraider early warning planes, TBM-3R Avenger cargo planes, HUK Huskee, HUP, HO4S/HRS Chickasaw, HO5S helicopters) CV34: 8 x 1 - 127/38 Mk 24, 14 x 2 - 76/50 Mk 33, circa 80 aircraft (F4U/FG Corsair, F6F Hellcat, F7F Tigercat, F8F Bearcat, F2H Banshee, F9F Panther, F6U Pirate fighters, AD Skyraider, AM Mauler attackers, TBF/TBM Avenger torpedo bombers, F4U-P Corsair, F6F-P Hellcat, F8F-P Bearcat, F2H-P Banshee, F9F-P Panther reconnaissance planes, TBM-3S Avenger ASW planes, AD-Q Skyraider, AM-Q Mauler ECM planes, TBM-3W Avenger, AD-W Skyraider early warning planes, TBM-3R Avenger cargo planes, HUK Huskee, HUP, HO4S/HRS Chickasaw helicopters) CVA39: 8 x 1 - 127/38 Mk 24, 14 x 2 - 76/50 Mk 33, circa 80 aircraft (F4U/FG Corsair, F6F Hellcat, F7F Tigercat, F8F Bearcat, F2H Banshee, F9F Panther, F3D Skyknight fighters, AU Corsair, AD Skyraider attackers, TBF/TBM Avenger torpedo bombers, F4U-P Corsair, F6F-P Hellcat, F8F-P Bearcat, F2H-P Banshee, F9F-P Panther reconnaissance planes, TBM-3S Avenger, AF Guardian ASW planes, AD-Q Skyraider ECM planes, TBM-3W Avenger, AD-W Skyraider early warning planes, TBM-3R Avenger cargo planes, HUK Huskee, HUP, HO4S/HRS Chickasaw, HO5S helicopters) |
| Sensors |
SPS-6, SR, SX (earlier) or SPS-8 (later), Mk 35 radars |
|
Complement |
2905 |
Aircraft facilities (fd - ? m², ha - 4,247 m² / 22,723 m³): Flight deck: 262.8 (CV9, 10, 12, 18, 20) / 257.4 (CV15, 18, 21, 33, 34, 39) x 46.3 m. Hangar: 199.4 x 21.3 x 5.35 m. There were 2 lifts in center line (fore, 18 t, 17.7 x 13.4 m and aft, 12.7 t, 14.7 x 13.5 m) and 1 deck-edge lift (13.6 t, 18.3 x 10.4 m) . There were 2 H-8 catapults. Aircraft fuel stowage: 1 136 000 l.
1954 - 1955, 6 ships were reconstructed by design SCB-27C. Flight deck was strengthened, superstructure rebuilt. Bulges and steam catapults were fitted. Lexington, Bon Homme Richard and Shagri La received angled deck. Data was as follows:
Shangri La 1957
| No | Name | Reconstructed | Yard | Fate |
| CVA11, 5/1962- CVS11 | Intrepid | 4/1952-6/1954 | Newport News | ASW aircraft carrier 5/1962, stricken 23/2/1982, preserved |
| CVA14, 10/1969- CVS14 | Ticonderoga (ex-Hancock) | 4/1952-10/1954 | New York N Yd | ASW aircraft carrier 10/1969, stricken 16/11/1973 |
| CVA16, 10/1962- CVS16, 1/1969- CVT16, 7/1978- AVT16 | Lexington (ex-Cabot) | 9/1953-9/1955 (modernised under SCB-27C and SCB-125 project simultaneously) | Bremerton N Yd | ASW aircraft carrier 10/1962, training aircraft carrier 1/1969, aircraft landing training ship 7/1978, stricken 30/11/1991, preserved |
| CVA19, 6/1975 - CV19 | Hancock (ex-Ticonderoga) | 12/1951-3/1954 | Bremerton N Yd | stricken 31/1/1976 |
| CVA31, 6/1975- CV31 | Bon Homme Richard | 5/1952-11/1955 (modernised under SCB-27C and SCB-125 project simultaneously) | San Francisco N Yd | stricken 20/9/1989 |
| CVA38, 6/1969- CVS38 | Shangri La | 7/1951-2/1955 (modernised under SCB-27C and SCB-125 project simultaneously) | Bremerton N Yd | ASW aircraft carrier 6/1969, stricken 15/7/1982 |
|
Displacement standard, t |
30580 |
|
Displacement full, t |
43060 |
|
Length, m |
250.0 wl 272.7 oa |
|
Breadth, m |
31.4 wl 50.9 oa |
|
Draught, m |
9.20 |
|
No of shafts |
4 |
|
Machinery |
Westinghouse geared steam turbines, 8 Babcock & Wilcox boilers |
|
Power, h. p. |
150000 |
|
Max speed, kts |
29.1 |
|
Fuel, t |
oil |
| Endurance, nm (kts) | 15000 (15) |
|
Armour, mm |
belt: 37, hangar deck: 64, main deck: 38 |
|
Armament |
CVA11, 14: 8 x 1 - 127/38 Mk 24, 11 x 2 - 76/50 Mk 33, circa 80 aircraft (F4U/FG Corsair, F2H Banshee, F9F Panther, F3D Skyknight, F9F Cougar, FJ Fury, F7U Cutlass fighters, AU Corsair, AD Skyraider, AJ Savage attackers, TBF/TBM Avenger torpedo bombers, F4U-P Corsair, F2H-P Banshee, F9F-P Panther, AJ-P Savage, F9F-P Cougar, F7U-P Cutlass reconnaissance planes, TBM-3S Avenger, AF Guardian, S2F Tracker ASW planes, AD-Q Skyraider ECM planes, TBM-3W Avenger, AD-W Skyraider early warning planes, TBM-3R Avenger cargo planes, HUK Huskee, HUP, HO4S/HRS Chickasaw, HO5S helicopters) CVA16, 31: 8 x 1 - 127/38 Mk 24, 11 x 2 - 76/50 Mk 33, circa 80 aircraft (F4U/FG Corsair, F2H Banshee, F9F Panther, F3D Skyknight, F9F Cougar, FJ Fury, F7U Cutlass fighters, AU Corsair, AD Skyraider, AJ Savage attackers, F4U-P Corsair, F2H-P Banshee, F9F-P Panther, AJ-P Savage, F9F-P Cougar, F7U-P Cutlass reconnaissance planes, S2F Tracker ASW planes, AD-Q Skyraider ECM planes, AD-W Skyraider early warning planes, HUK Huskee, HUP, HO4S/HRS Chickasaw, HO5S, HSS Seabat/HUS Seahorse helicopters) CVA19: 8 x 1 - 127/38 Mk 24, 11 x 2 - 76/50 Mk 33, circa 80 aircraft (F4U/FG Corsair, F2H Banshee, F9F Panther, F3D Skyknight, F9F Cougar, FJ Fury fighters, AU Corsair, AD Skyraider, AJ Savage attackers, TBF/TBM Avenger torpedo bombers, F4U-P Corsair, F2H-P Banshee, F9F-P Panther, AJ-P Savage, F9F-P Cougar reconnaissance planes, TBM-3S Avenger, AF Guardian, S2F Tracker ASW planes, AD-Q Skyraider ECM planes, TBM-3W Avenger, AD-W Skyraider early warning planes, TBM-3R Avenger cargo planes, HUK Huskee, HUP, HO4S/HRS Chickasaw, HO5S helicopters) CVA38: 8 x 1 - 127/38 Mk 24, 11 x 2 - 76/50 Mk 33, circa 80 aircraft (F4U/FG Corsair, F2H Banshee, F9F Panther, F3D Skyknight, F9F Cougar, FJ Fury, F7U Cutlass fighters, AU Corsair, AD Skyraider, AJ Savage attackers, F4U-P Corsair, F2H-P Banshee, F9F-P Panther, AJ-P Savage, F9F-P Cougar, F7U-P Cutlass reconnaissance planes, AF Guardian, S2F Tracker ASW planes, AD-Q Skyraider ECM planes, AD-W Skyraider early warning planes, HUK Huskee, HUP, HO4S/HRS Chickasaw, HO5S, HSS Seabat/HUS Seahorse helicopters) |
| Sensors |
SPS-12, SPS-8, SR radars |
|
Complement |
3545 |
Aircraft facilities (fd - ? m², ha - 4,247 m² / 22,723 m³): Flight deck: 272.7 x 46.3 (CVA11, 14, 19) / 50.9 (CVA16, 31, 38) m. Hangar: 199.4 x 21.3 x 5.35 m. There were 1 lift in center line (18 t, 17.7 x 13.4 m) and 2 deck-edge lifts (fore, 13.6 t, 18.3 x 10.4 m, and aft, 25.8 t, 17.1 x 13.4 m) . There were 2 C-11 catapults. Aircraft fuel stowage: 1 136 000 l.
Oriskany 1975
Late 1950s - early 1960s, many ships were reconstructed by design SCB-125 (Oriskany by SCB-125A with new catapults C-11). Data were as follows:
| No | Name | Reconstructed | Yard | Fate |
| CVA9, 3/1960- CVS9 | Essex | 7/1955-1/1956 | Bremerton N Yd | ASW aircraft carrier 3/1960, stricken 15/6/1975 |
| CVA10, 9/1957- CVS10 | Yorktown (ex-Bon Homme Richard) | 3/1955-10/1955 | Bremerton N Yd | ASW aircraft carrier 9/1957, stricken 1/6/1973 |
| CVA11, 3/1962- CVS11 | Intrepid | 9/1956-5/1957 | New York N Yd | ASW aircraft carrier 3/1962, stricken 23/2/1982 |
| CVA12, 6/1959- CVS12 | Hornet (ex-Kearsarge) | 1/1956-8/1956 | Bremerton N Yd | ASW aircraft carrier 6/1959, stricken 25/7/1989 |
| CVA14, 10/1969- CVS14 | Ticonderoga (ex-Hancock) | 8/1956-4/1957 | Norfolk N Yd | ASW aircraft carrier 10/1969, stricken 16/11/1973 |
| CVA15, 3/1959- CVS15 | Randolph | 8/1955-2/1956 | Norfolk N Yd | ASW aircraft carrier 3/1959, stricken 15/6/1973 |
| CVA16, 10/1962- CVS16, 1/1969- CVT16, 7/1978- AVT16 | Lexington (ex-Cabot) | 9/1953-9/1955 (modernised simultaneously by SCB-27C and SCB-125 projects) | Bremerton N Yd | ASW aircraft carrier 10/1962, training aircraft carrier 1/1969, aircraft landing training ship 7/1978, stricken 30/11/1991, preserved |
| CVA18, 11/1956- CVS18 | Wasp (ex-Oriskany) | 3/1955-12/1955 | San Francisco N Yd | ASW aircraft carrier 11/1956, stricken 1/7/1972 |
| CVA19, 6/1975- CV19 | Hancock (ex-Ticonderoga) | 4/1956-11/1956 | San Francisco N Yd | stricken 31/1/1976 |
| CVA20, 6/1959- CVS20 | Bennington | 6/1954-4/1955 | New York N Yd | ASW aircraft carrier 6/1959, stricken 20/9/1989 |
| CVA31, 6/1975- CV31 | Bon Homme Richard | 5/1952-11/1955 (modernised under SCB-27C and SCB-125 project simultaneously) | San Francisco N Yd | stricken 20/9/1989 |
| CVA33, 10/1958- CVS33 | Kearsarge | 7/1956-1/1957 | Bremerton N Yd | ASW aircraft carrier 10/1958, stricken 1/5/1973 |
| CVA34, 6/1975- CV34 | Oriskany | 1/1957-5/1959 | San Francisco N Yd | stricken 25/7/1989 |
| CVA36, 8/1953- CVS36 | Antietam | 9/1952-12/1952 (as prototype of project) | New York N Yd | ASW aircraft carrier 8/1953, stricken 1/5/1973 |
| CVA38, 6/1969- CVS38 | Shangri La | 7/1951-2/1955 (modernised under SCB-27C and SCB-125 project simultaneously) | Bremerton N Yd | ASW aircraft carrier 6/1969, stricken 15/7/1982 |
|
Displacement standard, t |
32250 |
|
Displacement full, t |
44000 |
|
Length, m |
251.3 wl 277.6 oa |
|
Breadth, m |
32.5 wl 47.9 oa |
|
Draught, m |
9.55 |
|
No of shafts |
4 |
|
Machinery |
Westinghouse geared steam turbines, 8 Babcock & Wilcox boilers |
|
Power, h. p. |
150000 |
|
Max speed, kts |
30.3 |
|
Fuel, t |
oil |
| Endurance, nm (kts) | 15000 (15) |
|
Armour, mm |
belt: 37, hangar deck: 64, main deck: 38 |
|
Armament |
4 x 1 - 127/38 Mk 24, circa 80 aircraft (F2H Banshee, F9F Cougar, FJ Fury, F3H Demon, F4D Skyray, F11F Tiger, F8U Crusader fighters, AD Skyraider, AJ Savage, A4D Skyhawk attackers, F2H-P Banshee, AJ-P Savage, F9F-P Cougar, F3H-P Demon, F8U-P Crusader reconnaissance planes, S2F Tracker ASW planes, AD-Q Skyraider ECM planes, AD-W Skyraider early warning planes, HUP, HO4S/HRS Chickasaw, HO5S, HSS Seabat/HUS Seahorse helicopters) |
| Sensors |
SPS-12, SPS-8, SR radars |
|
Complement |
3050 |
Aircraft facilities (fd - ? m², ha - 4,247 m² / 22,723 m³): Flight deck: 272.7 x 47.9 m. Hangar: 199.4 x 21.3 x 5.35 m. There were 1 lift in center line (18 t, 17.7 x 13.4 m) and 2 deck-edge lifts (fore, 13.6 t, 18.3 x 10.4 m, and aft, 25.8 t, 17.1 x 13.4 m) . There were 2 H-8 (or C-11 on CVA34) catapults. Aircraft fuel stowage: 1 136 000 l.
mid-1950s - 1960s, all modernized carriers: 76mm guns were partly removed
early 1960s, all modernized carriers: - SR, SPS-8 radars; + SPS-30, SPS-37A radars
1970s, modernized carriers: all 76mm guns were removed, all but 2 (or 4) 127-mm guns were removed. SPS-37A radars were partly replaced by SPS-43A.
1960s - 1970s, Essex, Yorktown, Intrepid, Hornet, Randolph, Wasp, Bennington, Kearsarge: SQS-23 sonar was fitted.
1959 - 1961, 3 ships were rebuilt as helicopter carriers. Data was as follows:
Princeton 1965
| No | Name | Reconstructed | Yard | Fate |
| LPH4 | Boxer | 1/1959-3/1959 | stricken 1/12/1969 | |
| LPH5 | Princeton (ex-Valley Forge) | 3/1959-5/1959 | Long Beach N Yd | stricken 30/1/1970 |
| LPH8 | Valley Forge | 3/1961-7/1961 | stricken 15/1/1970 |
|
Displacement standard, t |
26669 |
|
Displacement full, t |
34881 |
|
Length, m |
250.0 wl 265.9 oa |
|
Breadth, m |
28.4 wl 45.0 oa |
|
Draught, m |
8.40 |
|
No of shafts |
4 |
|
Machinery |
Westinghouse geared steam turbines, 4 Babcock & Wilcox boilers |
|
Power, h. p. |
75000 |
|
Max speed, kts |
25 |
|
Fuel, t |
oil |
| Endurance, nm (kts) | 15000 (15) |
|
Armour, mm |
belt: 102 - 64, hangar deck: 64, main deck: 38 |
|
Armament |
2 x 2 - 127/38 Mk 32, 2 x 1 - 127/38 Mk 24, 30 - 40 helicopters (HUP, HO4S/HRS Chickasaw, HO5S, HUS Seahorse, HR2S Mojave) / 1650 χελ. |
| Capacity | 1650 marines |
| Sensors |
SPS-10, SPS-12, SPS-30 radars |
|
Complement |
Naval service: Essex 11/4/1945 was damaged by kamikaze, fallen near to a port side and repaired till June, 1945. Intrepid 17/2/1944 was damaged by Japanese air torpedo and repaired till July, 1944; she was 25/11/1944 badly damaged as a result of attack of two kamikazes and repaired till February, 1945; she was 16/4/1945 again badly damaged by a direct hit of kamikaze, one more kamikaze has blown near the side and repaired till August, 1945. Hornet was badly damaged 5/6/1945 during a storm and was under repair till the end of war. Franklin was damaged by kamikaze 30/10/1944 and repaired till January, 1945; 19/3/1945 she was very badly damaged by two Japanese air bombs and repaired till the end of war. Ticonderoga 21/1/1945 was damaged by hits of two kamikazes and repaired till May, 1945. Randolph 11/3/1945 was damaged by hit of kamikaze, repair lasted prior to the early April, 1945. Lexington 4/12/1943 was damaged by Japanese air torpedo and repaired till March, 1944. Bunker Hill 11/5/1945 was badly damaged by two kamikazes and repaired till the end of war. Wasp 19/3/1945 was damaged by hit of Japanese air bomb, repair lasted till June, 1945.
Last of class, Lexington, served as training carrier, was decommissioned in December 1991.
Intrepid 1943
Lexington 1956
© Ivan Gogin, 2008-10