Portaerei (dal 1945) - USA: libri di storia illustrati

US Cold War Aircraft Carriers - Forrestal, Kitty Hawk and Enterprise Classes (Osprey)

La classe Forrestal (Forrestal, Saratoga, Ranger e Independence) fu la prima classe di superportaerei della Marina degli Stati Uniti ad essere completata, così chiamata per il suo aumento di dimensioni del 25% rispetto alle portaerei dell'epoca della Seconda Guerra Mondiale, come la classe Midway, e per la forza dei suoi gruppi aerei (80-100 velivoli, rispetto ai 65-75 della Midway e meno di 50 della classe Essex).
Dal punto di vista progettuale, le Forrestal rappresentavano un enorme miglioramento rispetto alle loro predecessori, essendo più stabili e confortevoli, pur mantenendo innovazioni come i ponti di volo corazzati introdotti con la Midway.
La classe Kitty Hawk rappresentava un miglioramento rispetto ai progetti della classe Forrestal, e ne furono costruite quattro unità negli anni '60: Kitty Hawk, Constellation, America e John F. Kennedy. Queste navi erano persino più lunghe delle Forrestal e dotate di sistemi d'arma difensivi avanzati e di una disposizione degli ascensori migliorata.
Tutte e nove le portaerei trattate in questo volume sono icone e occupano un posto di grande rilievo nella storia navale degli Stati Uniti. Sono anche tra le navi più conosciute al di fuori dell'ambito militare, sia per la loro lunga carriera, sia per alcuni degli sfortunati eventi che sembrano averle accompagnate.

Indice: Origini della super portaerei (Portaerei della Seconda Guerra Mondiale - La portaerei da battaglia di classe Midway - La USS United States)
La classe Forrestal (Strutture della portaerei - Ponte di volo e hangar - Operazioni di lancio e recupero - Strutture significative - Sistemi di difesa; Sistemi elettronici e radar - USS Forrestal - USS Saratoga - USS Ranger - USS Independence)
La classe Kitty Hawk (principali differenze rispetto alla classe Forrestal - USS Kitty Hawk - USS Constellation - USS America - USS John F. Kennedy)
Enterprise - Una classe a sé stante (Progettazione e sviluppo - Sistemi elettronici e radar - Propulsione)

Storia operativa (Gli incendi della Forrestal e della Enterprise - Evoluzione dell'ala aerea imbarcata).

Dettagli del libro

Midway-Class Aircraft Carriers 1945-92 (Osprey)

Le portaerei della classe Midway furono le più grandi della Marina statunitense costruite durante la Seconda Guerra Mondiale. Entrate in servizio nel settembre del 1945, divennero le principali portaerei della Marina all'inizio della Guerra Fredda.

Le loro dimensioni e il loro design permisero importanti aggiornamenti nei decenni successivi. Le navi presero parte alla Guerra del Vietnam e la Midway lanciò i primi attacchi con portaerei della Guerra del Golfo nel 1990.

Questo libro, scritto dallo storico navale Mark Stille, spiega come le Midway furono concepite come successori più grandi e resistenti della classe Essex. Furono le prime portaerei statunitensi con un ponte di volo corazzato e ricevettero in seguito numerosi miglioramenti, tra cui ponti angolati, catapulte e sistemi d'arma a corto raggio.

Riccamente illustrato con fotografie d'archivio e disegni originali, il libro mostra come queste navi si siano evolute nel corso delle loro lunghe carriere. Si conclude con la conservazione della Midway come museo a San Diego, l'unica portaerei statunitense al di fuori della classe Essex a essere sopravvissuta.

Dettagli del libro

Nimitz Class Aircraft Carriers (Osprey)

The Nimitz class aircraft carrier is the ultimate symbol of the United States superpower status. A true behemoth, this is an unsurpassed weapons platform that overshadows all of its nearest rivals. A history of the world's largest aircraft carriers, with runways over 300 meters long, this book looks at the development and deployment of the nuclear-powered Nimitz class aircraft carriers from 1975 when the USS Nimitz, the lead ship of the class, was commissioned, to the present day.
All of the class are still operational and the tenth and last of the class, the USS George H. W. Bush, was commissioned in 2009. Here, Brad Elward provides a detailed overview of their design and development, highlighting their unique features, from jet blast deflectors to cutting edge radar systems, and a history of the Nimitz class in service, from deployment in the Gulf during Operation Desert Storm, through to the enforcement of the no fly zone over Bosnia.

Contents: Introduction - Design And Development (The Development of Nimitz, Design Considerations, Carrier Systems, The Various Subclasses - Nimitz, Roosevelt, Bush, Carrier Air Wings, The Concept of the Carrier Battle Group) - Operational History (The Carriers, Nimitz Carriers in Desert Storm, No-Fly Enforcement and Bosnia, Kosovo, Nimitz' Respond to Terror, The Surge Concept) - Summary of the Nimitz Class - Bibliography - Appendices (A. Carrier Air Wing Assignments and Cruises - B. Carrier Commanding Officers and Air Wing Commanders - C. Carrier Deployment Schedules).

Dettagli del libro

The Supercarriers : The Forrestal and Kitty Hawk Class

A comprehensive historical overview with extensive photos, maps, drawings, and operational detail, including all air-wing deployments. It covers all of the "Forrestal" class supercarriers and the follow-on ships, which are basically of the same design.

The book is heavily illustrated with over one hundred illustrations and maps covering the Western Pacific, Vietnam, Mediterranean, Middle East, Indian Ocean, and Caribbean.

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US Super Carrier Operations Manual - An insight into the design, departments, flight operations and daily life (Haynes Maritime Manual)

The US Navy's fleet of aircraft carriers are at the heart of global American military force. With nuclear-powered oceanic range, complements of nearly 5,000 crew, and typically carrying more than 70 combat aircraft, US carriers can remain on station for months, delivering aerial combat strikes on distant targets around the clock.

The Haynes Super Carrier Manual offers unrivalled insights into understanding how a modern US super carrier is operated. The US Navy has given Haynes author Chris McNab and photographer Patrick Bunce official clearance to spend time at sea on one of its 'Nimitz' or 'Gerald R. Ford' class super carriers.

During the visit Chris conducted interviews with key personnel of all major departments, including flight-deck crew, aviators, ordnance officers, engineers, logisticians, operations crew and the captain; while Patrick photographed life above and below decks, with a special focus on the engineering side of carrier aviation often not covered in other publications.

Dettagli del libro

USS Nimitz (CVN-68) - America's Supercarrier: 1975 to the Present (Legends of Warfare)

The nuclear-powered supercarrier USS Nimitz is the oldest carrier in the US fleet. Commissioned in 1975, CVN-68 is named after famed navy admiral Chester Nimitz and has been at the front line of many naval operations in its 40-plus years of service. Nimitzs design and development, construction, sea trials, commissioning, and first cruise are presented in concise, detailed text.

Also covered are all of the ship's systems, including electronics, defensive/offensive armament, command and control, and aircraft launching and recovery.

Nimitzs military campaigns including the Gulf of Sidra Incident, Operation Desert Shield/Storm, and Operations Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedomare also covered in detail, including their results. The book concludes with its latest operational deployment, Operation Inherent Resolve, and the ships current status.

Part of the Legends of Warfare series.

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Carrier Power

Aircraft carriers of the US armed forces are present on all the world's oceans. Constant operational readiness requires high motivation and maximum performance from the approximately 5 000 men and women on board around the clock.
In terms of aviation, take-offs and landings on aircraft carriers are probably the most demanding missions for pilots.

Björn Trotzki has compiled some of his best pictures from his visits to the carriers USS Enterprise, USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Ronald Reagan for this illustrated book.
The viewer is given the opportunity to experience one of the most dangerous workplaces in the world and to "breathe in" the action-packed, kerosene-laden air.

Dettagli del libro