It’s been pretty clear for a while 24 x fixed wing and 12 x rotary wing
I agree that is what they are doing in the current environment...but I also know they can carry more, an d do so effectively. I believe 36 may be a standard peace time load...but in the event of hostilities I beliee we would see a total of at least 48 total aircraft. And they will mazximize their strike capability because that is what the carrier is for.
I expect in a hostile situation, at war, you would see more like 40 oor 42 J-15s and then 8-10 helos, with four AEW and six ASW/SAR.
I hav been working with carriers and carrier aircraft since the 70s and personally worked on the A-y and S-3 programs. I have had many friends, including popeye who spent up to 20 and more years on aircraft carriers.
Ifollowed the Soviet designs from the intial two Moskva, to the four Kievs, to the two Kuznetsov of which only the first was completed. Then have followed the CHinese carrier program since the very beginning, not to mention following evry carrier esign of the US and other nations throughout my life.
I pray we do not have to have a war or any hostilities for some of you who are relatiely new at this to see that what I am saying is most likely correct.
I saw what the Japanese were doing with the Hyuga DDH and as soon as they started building the larher zumo class I predicted that they would ultimately carry F-35Bs. This was a good 6-7 years ago when she was laid down and bean building. Many people, including some on this board, and people I have known for years in the USNI which I have belonged to for years...saying I was over-reacting and that the Japanese would never do such a thing.
Well, now they have announced it and are funding the F-35B purchase as I said they would.
Believe me when I y...even if they are stndardly carrying an airwing of 12, 18, or 24 J-15s, they have the capability in war time of carrying more than that...up to a totalof 48-50 totl aircraft. And if they went to war, that's what they would do. You maximize the strike at sea capability in particular. It's been that way since the beginning.
I have thought of (if I survive that long) of putting together a program to build every US carrier out there in 1/350 scale. The following are available, a ouple in only Resin and old kits, though the new release by Trumpeter of the AV-3 USS Langley from world War II )That's what she was, CV-1 Langley, when WW II came along and she was sunk very early on)). Here's what exists:
CV-1 USS Langley Iron Shipwrights Resin about $400.00 (or as AV-3 in 1941 new from Trumoeter, Plasic, probably about $80,.00)
CV-2 USS Lexington, Trumpeter, Plastic
CV-3 USS Saratoga, Trumpeter, Plastic
CV-4 USS Ranger, Trumpeter, Plastiv
CV-5, USS Yorktown, Merit, Plastic
CV-6 USS Enterprise, Trumpeter or Merit, Plastic (the Merit Model is by far the better kit) ***
CV-7 USS Wasp. Iron Shipwrights, Resin, About $400.00)
CV-8 USS Horne, Trumpeter, Plastic
CV-9 USS Essex, Trumpeter, Plastic
CV-10 USS Yorktown, Trumpeter, Plastic
CV-11 USS Intrepid, Merit, Plastic, Angled Deck
CV-13 USS Franklin, Trumpeter, Plastic
CV-14 USS Tionderoga, Trumpeter, Plastic
CV-63 USS Kitty Hawk, Trumpeter, Plastic
CV-64 USS Contellation, Trumpeteer, Plastic
CVN-65 USS Enterprise, Tamiya, Plastic
CV-67 USS John F. Kennedy, Trumpeter, Plastic
CVN-68 USS Nimitz, Trumpeter, Plastic (Reagan CVN-76) ***
CVN-80 USS Enterprise *** Used Trumpeter kit and 3d Printed pieces) ***
You have to note that with the ssex models that are out there, you could build any of them, either Angled or straight dek and then simply change out decals to the right number. Same can be done with the Nimitz class, partoicularly since several Shapeways 3D prin makers have 3D prints in 1/350 scale of almost all of the differing sponsons and islands and hanger fixtures for the differences.
Anyhow, I put an trpile asterics after the ones I have already built: Three. I do not expect to have the time or the money to do such an amitious project...but it sure would be fun.
