Carrier ID please

[lefty]

Not sure where to post this , but they are photographs -taken way back in 1966 with a Canon half-frame camera, which must have seemed like a good idea at the time. Have scanned them best I can, but haven't used ICE, hence the gritty bits.

This carrier must have moored in the Firth of Forth, near Edinburgh, and we went out to visit - any idea of a name for this vessel, anybody ??

[Ferry_vO]

I was hoping the 'VAW-12' code on the tail of the 'Stoof with a roof' would help, but

In July 1966, VAW-12 received the first E-2A Hawkeye, and was supplying detachments utilizing two different aircraft aboard ten Atlantic Fleet aircraft carriers in addition to training personnel for those detachments.

according to: http://www.public.navy.mil/airfor/va...s/default.aspx

Perhaps the 'AW' tailcode can help identify it.

[Ferry_vO]

There's a big '5' visible on the side of the tower... Looking at the list here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...ed_States_Navy

That only leaves three options: CV-45 (Valley Forge) but that one was sailing between the US west coast and Vietnam that year, CV-65 (Enterprise) which is too big, so my best guess is the CV-15, the USS Randolph:

Attachment 85801

Edit: the Randolph was deployed to the North Atlantic from may till September 1966: http://www.hullnumber.com/CV-15

And one more photo:

Attachment 85802

[lefty]

Yes, I've just zoomed in on the long-distance shot, and it is a '15'on the island.

Thanks, Ferry - an unexpected source of USN wisdom !

[Ferry_vO]

Nah, too much free time today and some Google experience, that's all...

[lefty]

too much free time today

Well I suppose you don't get a new king every day ! Congratulations !! :ernae:

[Dangerousdave26]

When I go to photobucket and enlarge the image I can see the 15 on the Island

[Ferry_vO]

When I go to photobucket and enlarge the image I can see the 15 on the Island

Now where's the fun in that..? ;-)