Calling all Nimitz-class CVN fans

[Mark McKinnis]

Greetings,

They are bare metal on the ship. Gun Metal Gray seems like it would be a good fit. I can't remember if Testor's did a "Metallizer Gun Metal Spray" but that would be perfect, I think. You could buff it out that way to get the metal finish. So, they are a similar color as the non-skid paint on the deck but a different material which is why you don't get much contrast.

Good luck,

Mark

[Admhawk]

Here are some pics from different carriers. Some cleaner than others. Some rusty, others no so much.
The end plates appear to be painted, while some of the middle plates look like they have a coating of some sort, like anodized or galvanized.
Lots of dirt and rubber from tires.

[Dave from Downunder]

Thanks and great shots so look like metal with a brownish tinge (rust?) i think i can work with that well may need to mix a custome colour for fun

[TZoli]

Does anybody have photos of the Bridge island or part of it which shows the original 3rd Phalanx location, on the forward part of the island structure? Between late 1983 and early 1985? Before it was moved to the aft part of the superstructure?

[sctbrd]

Middle of the page here has some, a couple good closer up.
https://www.seaforces.org/usnships/cvn/ ... mitz-3.htm

[TZoli]

The image you posted is from 1986 and thus shows the final configuration of the Phalanx Platform.

But at first when it was installed it was located where the numbers are painted.
Here this 1985 photo shows that it was located more forward:

[Admhawk]

I'm pretty sure the photo above is just after Nimitz got back from the shipyard. Work is continuing onboard and the platform shown is still being worked on.
I think this because the CIWS isn't actually installed yet and the box structure beside the CIWS hasn't been added yet,

The history I have indicates that the platform was in this position for just over a year. See below.
Because of the short duration, there aren't many photos. during this time period.

However, she did deploy once and the cruise book is available online, providing a couple of pics that should help you. Also see below for links.

The changes I've listed during the overhauls are only what I have found so far comparing photos.

May 20, 1983 Nimitz returned to Naval Station Norfolk following a six-month deployment to the U.S. 4th and 6th Fleet Areas of Responsibility.

June 17, 1983 Started 13-month Complex Overhaul (COH) at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, her Fifth overhaul/refit.
� SPS-43A replaced with SPS-49
� CIWS Port bow sponson was added, similar size and shape as stbd one.
� CIWS Platform added to stbd side, fwd edge of island
� CIWS Platform added to stern
� Aft stbd Sea Sparrow MK25 Launcher removed, reducing total from 3 to 2.
� Sea Sparrow MK25 Launchers replaced with newer MK29�s.
� Sea Sparrow director pltfm moved from SPS43A(now SPS-49) tower to stbd side of island, aft of other director.
� MK71 Sea Sparrow directors replaced with MK91 directors
� 2 Sea Sparrow MK91 director platforms added beside aft port launcher. Increasing number from 2 to 4.
� ULQ-6 ECM replaced with SLQ-17 ECM
� SMQ-6 Weather radar on mast replaced with 2 SMQ-10�s on port and stbd flight deck edges, midships, and a SMQ-6D on mast.
� Liferafts replaced with newer style with horizontal black bands around center.
Jul.22, 1984 Nimitz Completed 13-month Complex Overhaul COH at Newport News
July 23, 1984 Nimitz departed for initial sea trials.

September 11, 1984 Nimitz emergency sortied from Naval Station Norfolk to avoid the approaching Hurricane Diana.

Aug 1984 and Feb 1985 Nimitz Performed multiple training, Carrier Quals, and readiness exercises.

March 8, 1985 Nimitz departed Norfolk for its sixth Mediterranean deployment.
� March 15-27, Readiness Exercise 1-85 followed by an operational readiness evaluation, in the Caribbean Sea.
� March 28 through April 12, Nimitz steamed off the eastern coast of Central America for "U.S. Naval Presence Operations," due to heightened tensions resulting from fighting against Marxist rebels.
� April 21, Nimitz arrived in the Med.
October 4, 1985 Nimitz returned to Norfolk after a seven-month deployment.

Photos in Nimitz (CVN 68) Mediterranean Cruise Book 1985
https://www.navysite.de/cruisebooks/cvn68-85/001.htm
https://www.navysite.de/cruisebooks/cvn68-85/008.htm
https://www.navysite.de/cruisebooks/cvn68-85/128.htm (The island number is hidden in the page fold)
https://www.navysite.de/cruisebooks/cvn68-85/338.htm

November 1, 1985 Nimitz entered Norfolk Naval Shipyard for a four-month Selected Restricted Availability (SRA). (Sixth overhaul/refit)
� Port bow sponson was enlarged/thickened.
� CWIS Platform on stbd side of island modified and moved to aft edge.
� Stern CIWS Platform enlarged and moved toward center of ship.
March 4, 1986 Nimitz departed for sea trials.

.

[TZoli]

Thanks, I presume it's original location was not satisfactory? Maybe when the phalanx fired the excessive vibration damaged or badly affected the instruments on the bridge above it?