USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63)
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Thread: USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63)

  1. #1

    USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63)

    This will be the project for the next months
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  2. #2
    Quote Originally Posted by CIMOGT View Post
    This will be the project for the next months
    Very cool !

  3. #3

    Kittyhawk Class

    Will you be doing USS America CVA-66 and USS J.F. Kennedy CVA-67 as well like your last project with Multiple airwings? Having served aboard America from 1967-1970 with CVW-6 and CVW-9 I have all the airwing information you could need for those periods. I also have my 2 cruise books of 1968 and 1970 with lots of photos.

  4. #4

    Differences

    Quote Originally Posted by tgycgijoes View Post
    Will you be doing USS America CVA-66 and USS J.F. Kennedy CVA-67 as well like your last project with Multiple airwings? Having served aboard America from 1967-1970 with CVW-6 and CVW-9 I have all the airwing information you could need for those periods. I also have my 2 cruise books of 1968 and 1970 with lots of photos.
    yes i was thinking about doing the 3 ships, America, Constellation and the Kitty Hawk, the John F. Kennedy will be another proyect, although it represents a lot of work in reserch on the differences, i would be very useful for the photos to reflect the changes

    here the work at the moment in the hangar deck

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  5. #5

    Research Material

    I had this book but it got lost when we moved. It is really a great source. Here is the link to it on Amazon if you don't have it. I will be happy to supply you with Airwing information for CVW-6 and CVW-9 from my Cruise Books from 68 and 70. I have the "honor" in 1968 of boot-topping the entire waterline of the carrier in Subic Bay. The book below covers changes from America's original configuration as launched. The changes in 1969 when she was drydocked were a new weapons elevator among other things. I got to chip a lot of paint and repaint a lot of ship and as a fire watch got to see just about all of the ship most crew after the dock period never saw. Like inside the sonar dome bailing water out of it with a bucket on a rope. It was like working in a sewer I remember. America btw was the only carrier of the Kittyhawk class that had Sonar. Ships company worked alongside the civilian dock workers.

    https://www.amazon.com/America-Detai.../dp/0830602038

  6. #6

    The Ladder Topside

    Quote Originally Posted by CIMOGT View Post
    yes i was thinking about doing the 3 ships, America, Constellation and the Kitty Hawk, the John F. Kennedy will be another proyect, although it represents a lot of work in reserch on the differences, i would be very useful for the photos to reflect the changes

    here the work at the moment in the hangar deck

    If memory serves me correctly, up forward starboard about 20 feet inboard is a ladder topside from the hanger bay up to the 01 level. I seem to remember that this was enclosed not a gallery on the starboard side. Then inside there is another to the 02 level my level for berthing and CIC and CATCC and then up to the 03 level with passageways fore and aft one starboard for transit forward and one port for aft transit. Both went all the way fore and aft with officers staterooms, captain's and XO's quarters and the Admiral's "Flag Spaces" which I worked in 1970 As the CarDiv II Air Warfare Co-ordinator for our second Vietnam Deployment. On the portside there is a ladder down from the gallery which because it is even with the 02 level. It should have a W/T door which is access to the passageway to CATCC, CIC and Ops berthing. Not too bad for 50 year old memories? Your shots really bring them back. I left the ship in November, 1970 and then had an opportunity in 1990 to go back aboard and say a proper goodbye when I was part of the honorary commissioning crew for the Abraham Lincoln CVN-72 at Norfolk. I am really looking forward to USS America when you are finished.

  7. #7

    US Navy Cruise Books

    Here's a site that contains many US Navy Cruise Books

    https://www.navysite.de/index.htm

  8. #8
    Quote Originally Posted by FlyingsCool View Post
    Here's a site that contains many US Navy Cruise Books

    https://www.navysite.de/index.htm
    thanks, I'm already using it as a reference for airwing

  9. #9

    Texture Advances

    This is the advance in the texture of the model

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  10. #10

    Which sim..?

    Please confirm this will be available for FSX...?

  11. #11

    FSX I Agree

    There are enough of us who can't or choose not to run P3D whatever version of it and really hope developers will not abandon us like some have already ONLY making and designing for P3DV*. I really hope that this is FSX(A) and/or FSX-SE too.

  12. #12
    Quote Originally Posted by tgycgijoes View Post
    There are enough of us who can't or choose not to run P3D whatever version of it and really hope developers will not abandon us like some have already ONLY making and designing for P3DV*. I really hope that this is FSX(A) and/or FSX-SE too.
    so far, I tried to make the models compatible for FSX and P3D v4, only with the difference that FSX versions have less capabilities than the version of P3D v4, this implies that the FSX version does not have animated elevators and access to the hangar deck, otherwise it will have the same capabilities, or at least I hope that it is still under development

  13. #13
    Quote Originally Posted by CIMOGT View Post
    so far, I tried to make the models compatible for FSX and P3D v4, only with the difference that FSX versions have less capabilities than the version of P3D v4, this implies that the FSX version does not have animated elevators and access to the hangar deck, otherwise it will have the same capabilities, or at least I hope that it is still under development
    I have a number of your earlier carriers for FSX with operating elevators and hangar doors.
    Yes, there are times when there are problems, but I am OK with that as the overall enjoyment of the carrier makes it worth while.
    The additional animation is a big plus.
    Can you describe what changed from your past to newer models..?
    I ask this with the greatest respect as I want to continue purchasing your work and not have to say no thanks as with the latest Kuznetsov.

  14. #14
    Quote Originally Posted by Seahawk72s View Post
    I have a number of your earlier carriers for FSX with operating elevators and hangar doors.
    Yes, there are times when there are problems, but I am OK with that as the overall enjoyment of the carrier makes it worth while.
    The additional animation is a big plus.
    Can you describe what changed from your past to newer models..?
    I ask this with the greatest respect as I want to continue purchasing your work and not have to say no thanks as with the latest Kuznetsov.
    Hello:
    In FSX to P3Dv3 there are issues and inconsistencies in the behavior of mobile platforms defined in the simulator, despite being defined as platforms the aircraft being cross and falling into the sea, they also affect the crash box detecting the movement as a crash, meanwhile I keep moving on this ship, there is still a lot of work to complete it, I have all pending the air wing, the escort group and the other aircraft carriers belonging to this class.

    There is still nothing definitive for this model so I can still include the animations for FSX, making the clarification of possible behavior clear, I appreciate your comment as it helps me in the final development of the model.

  15. #15
    Charter Member 2015 delta_lima's Avatar
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    For my part, the hangar thing is a gimmick. Have never bothered going down any elevators or going into hangars. I’d be more concerned the additional complexity would translate into a performance liability.

    An accurate, well textured, model that is good on FPS and with animations that actually relate to carrier flying (deck crew, etc) is what matters to me.

    What air wing / period are you planning on including? A 1975 WestPac cruise would be nice for us Phantom fans.

    Cheers,

    DL

  16. #16
    hello

    I try to add as many extras as possible to the aircraft carriers, to improve the overall environment of the model, the period in which I choose the wing, will be between 1980 and 2000, although suggestions are accepted at this stage of the development

  17. #17
    Charter Member 2015 delta_lima's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by CIMOGT View Post
    hello

    I try to add as many extras as possible to the aircraft carriers, to improve the overall environment of the model, the period in which I choose the wing, will be between 1980 and 2000, although suggestions are accepted at this stage of the development
    Thanks.

    That's a great period too.

    I'm looking for a "home" to fly early low-vis (1980ish) schemes at the end of the F-4N and S's operational carrier life. I grant that it's more of a Forrestal setting more than a Kitty Hawk, since the latter flew Tomcats from '77 on ... So I figured 1975 would be the closest, for now ...

    But I'm sure whatever you develop will be good.

    cheers,

    dl

  18. #18

    I believe that the highlight

    Quote Originally Posted by CIMOGT View Post
    hello

    I try to add as many extras as possible to the aircraft carriers, to improve the overall environment of the model, the period in which I choose the wing, will be between 1980 and 2000, although suggestions are accepted at this stage of the development
    I think that the Kitty Hawk carriers highlights were in the Tonkin Gulf off the coast of Vietnam from 1967-1972. Agreed that 1980-2000 was the Libyian conflict and also Desert Storm with F-14s replacing the F4's still retaining the same supporting aircraft: a-7 Corsair II; A-6 Intruder; EA-6B Prowler; E2A Hawkeyes. After Vietnam, the SH2 Seasprite Helo's were replaced by the SH3 Seakings and S-3 Vikings also supported the ASW missions from the 1980's. I personally think that you should have two Carrier Air Wings configured one for each time period if this is not a strenuous undertaking. If you created them so to be easily repainted, those talented repainters could do multiple airwings for the period from 1967-2000 since the carriers had different airwings assigned. The USS America for example embarked CVW-6 in 1968 and CVW-9 in 1970. When a carrier left the line after 30 days on station, the airwing would then go aboard the replacement carrier continuing operations. The airwing would then return home to the U.S. after approximately 9 months on one of the returning carriers. After 50 years I believe I still remember this correctly.

  19. #19
    I think that the Kitty Hawk carriers highlights were in the Tonkin Gulf off the coast of Vietnam from 1967-1972.
    IMHO that period has the more diverse and colorful aircraft to choose from.
    Striker, listen, and you listen close: flying a plane is no different than riding a bicycle, just a lot harder to put baseball cards in the spokes.

  20. #20
    We were aboard the Hawk with VA-75 in 1968 on station in the Gulf Of Tonkin

  21. #21

    To All Those Members

    To all the members of the Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club, like me, thank you for your service. They were really colorful and diverse squadrons.

  22. #22

    Air Wing

    Taking into account all the comments, I decided to modify the plans for the Kitty Hawk class, I have been reviewing the cruise book and decided, as recommended, 2 periods of time for the model, the first will be 1975 CARRIER AIR WING 11 and the second 2002 AIR WING 5.
    This implies more work at the air wing level of each ship, I will evaluate if in the final delivery only the Kitty Hawk will be included so that the Constellation and the America will be for a later update.
    Thank you all for your recommendations which are very important to me.

  23. #23
    the first will be 1975 CARRIER AIR WING 11
    Your call of course, but thinking about your customer base here it's a shame this will narrowly miss having both wartime (SEA) and peacetime historically accurate coverage. Others here will know for sure, but my guess is that (hostile) navair ops in Vietnam were winding down by about 1973.
    Striker, listen, and you listen close: flying a plane is no different than riding a bicycle, just a lot harder to put baseball cards in the spokes.

  24. #24

    You Miss All of Vietnam

    I know I suggested multiple airwings but I don't think that this is a good idea to only do Kittyhawk and drop the other two carriers and then from 1975. Of course this is your project but perhaps a survey at this time before you do any changes would be a good idea from those who consider buying when its done. Just my opinion. Anyone else jump in here for CIMOGT to know the best way to go from a business standpoint since this is payware not freeware for him.

  25. #25
    Charter Member 2015 delta_lima's Avatar
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    Hi Walter, and thanks for considering various points of view.

    Opinions being like armpits and belly buttons (we all have them), I appreciate the fine line you're trying to walk, schemes vary widely from cruise to cruise, and at some points, certain model types come and go.

    I hear and understand the criticism about missing out the wartime (pre-1973) deployments. I'd normally be advocating fiercely for that period, but I guess I see 1975 as a reasonable compromise, in that it incorporates the types (if not the squadrons) present during the previous few cruises. And the SWS boats cover the Midway-class bracket during Vietnam quite well.

    I think the 2000s era deployment won't spark too much interest, inasmuch as Tomcats and Hornets get great representation in both the Aerosoft Kitty Hawk and the Fernandez Nimitz respectively. Plus for the P3Ders in the room, the SWS Nimitz is yet another Hornet-rich environment. My "magic sweetspot" would be either a Coral Sea, Midway, or Forrestal flying low-vis Phantoms in the very early 1980s - a very niche period, so I grant that's not in the cards any time soon from any developer. And I get it, as developers have to pick eras that make sense from many points of consideration.

    So I think the peacetime 1975 cruise is not unreasonable. Maybe make the models' skins easy to repaint, and/or include a few different cruise options via selectable repaints?

    Just my view - I'll be happy with anything older than 1984.

    Cheers,

    dl

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