Mark McKinnis wrote:
So, mostly from memory back 25 years, but:
When the equipment is not in use then most would probably get parked in Hanger bay one up front like you said. On the flight deck, it would probably end up in the "junk yard" which is the area behind the Island in front of L-3. The E-2 Hawkeye's get parked in there as well so leave a hole for them. That is why it is called the Hummer Hole. F-14's and E-2 Hawkeyes did not/and still don't have(E-2C or E-2D) APU's (Can't remember if Prowlers had them) for engine start. They need an electric cart and a huffer to do an engine start. By then they both had cross bleed start so the cart would be on one side. The E-2s normally start the right engine first. Tractors would be parked where you intended to pull aircraft so there were generally a couple on the bow between and just forward of the CAT #1 and CAT#2 JBD's. All aircraft had a tow bar either attached to the nose wheel or near it so if there was a fire, you didn't have to hunt one down to move aircraft in a hurry. So if you are looking to portrait a start and a launch, park the appropriate equipment next to aircraft getting ready to start. For the hanger bay, equipment would be parked next to aircraft getting work. Fork lifts were more for moving supplies and heavy parts. You would find some of them in Hanger Bay #3 aft since AIMD and the Jet Shop were aft of the hanger bay. There would also be trash dumpsters back there along with the ships boats.
Hope that helps a little.
Mark
Mark that is some great information. Helps form part of the picture and even given some new ideas had not thought of.
Are there any other helpful people who could give indicative numbers on actual deck equipment carried on a cruise?