**Bravo Zulu - Aircraft Carrier pulling into San Diego Dock**

robmcc posted:

Wow! An aircraft carrier on a layout! That's a first (for me anyways). I had a chance to do the Midway tour a few years back. It's an absolute beast!! Well done Dorcie and Trainworx!!

Now, if you're already doing the Midway, the gang might as well top it off with this beauty as well!

Rob

Love it!! Thanks for sharing and I love the Santa Fe Station... nice!!!!

Ron_S posted:

Dorcie. are you modeling the docks on North Island Navy Base on Coronado? 

Hi there... this will be a generic dock

Ron_S posted:

Joe, it LOOKS like a postage stamp when middle of the night, heavy seas, high winds and rain. Glide slope is like a yoyo and when you are a mile away it is just a light bulb size blob, it isn't until on final if doing a straight in , or doing the break across the bow and coming around for a normal pattern that definition begins, and you can begin to relax a microsecond, then the pucker factor kicks in as the ship bobs and rolls, and you have to put the bird down on a spot 100' x 100' to not hit other aircraft being readied for launch. It truly is a ballet, but a deadly one if you miscalculate.

Dang... got goose bumps reading that. What God given skill to achieve and master such a task! At the risk of repeating myself... absolutely mind boggling. And while I'm repeating myself; God Bless our Military Personnel taking names and dare I say... kicking a ss daily! 

Andrew Gallousis posted:

Very cool model. I have a fair amount of time on those things...

My father's old ship.  He was on as an HM2 back in the mid-late 70s.  I got to go out on her for the day back on Aug 11, 2001 as part of his annual reunion.

Andrew (and anyone else who served on the Nimitz), here's a link to their association website if you're not already aware.  They're a pretty active group.

http://ussnimitzassociation.org/index.php

Dorcie, Carrier row can be pretty impressive if several are docked at once, the waterfront of San Diego and a short stretch of I-5 have a picture frame view of the harbor. If you google earth and look at San Diego, you will see how the entrance curves around and goes down to 32nd street Naval base which goes under the Coronado bridge. The sea and anchor detail ( The name given to port entry/departure) is an intense and busy time. As Officer of the Deck on the New Orleans, I stressed that harbor many a time as the back up OOD to the fellow who was designated for it.

Carriers are berthed on the North Island side, our hangars were right on the apex of the curve as you entered , so we taxied with views of the carriers when they were home.