Essex Class Aircraft Carriers

Essex class aircraft carriers were vital warships that formed the combat strength of the United States Navy after the World War II, until the super carriers took over in the late 1960s. Essex class carriers were designed and developed to carry a large number of aircrafts. They were sixty feet longer, ten feet wider in the beam, and more heavier than the preceding Yorktown class carriers, which were built by the US Navy before the world war. Essex class carriers had larger and wider flight decks, equipped with elevators for increased aviation operations, which raised the carriers' offensive and defensive air capabilities.

Development and Design

On May 17, 1938, the Naval Expansion Act was passed, which authorized an increase of 40,000 tons in aircraft carriers. The result was the building of the Essex class aircraft carriers. The US Navy ordered about eight such aircraft carriers in 1940. They were: Franklin, Hornet, Ticonderoga, Lexington, Bunker Hill, Randolph, Wasp and Hancock. Lexington, Wasp, Hornet and Yorktown were renamed during construction, in accordance with the Navy's intent to carry on the legacy of their predecessors, whose original navy ships were lost in combat.

Many new changes were made in the post World War II period. The new aircraft being developed were heavier and wider, and hence, the carriers required more space for takeoff and landing. Advanced armament was added to carriers, resulting in the ships getting heavier. The design of the hangar was also much discussed upon, because the US Navy not only wanted sufficient space for storing spare fuselages, but also enough space for engineers to work below the deck area too. Many experiments were made and the portside deck-edge elevators were added, which were a great success, as they increased the parking area on the deck when in the 'up' position.

Armaments

The Essex class carrier had 36 fighters, 36 dive bombers, and 18 torpedo planes. These were collectively known as the Sunday Punch, the superbia of the carrier. The Essex class carrier had SB2C-1 Helldiver standard scout aircraft and TBF Avenger torpedo planes. They were equipped with advanced radars like Mark 12 sweeping radar and Plan Position Indicator (PPI) display, which could keep track of ships. The most deadly weapons, however, were four 5-inch (127 mm) 38 caliber twin gun turrets, 17 quadruple 40mm Bofors anti-aircraft guns, and 65 single 20 mm Oerlikon close-in defense guns.

Military Contributions

Essex class aircraft carriers played a vital role in the Pacific Ocean during World War II. They performed a multitude of missions, attacked the Japanese fleet, and transported aircraft and troops, all without a single carrier being sunk. They were indeed the strength of US Navy. They played a key role in the Vietnam War, with 13 out of the 24 carriers participating. The carriers also played a part in the United States' space programs by acting as recovery ships.

All the Essex class aircraft carriers were decommissioned by the US Navy, as super carriers like USS Enterprise, which were more technically advanced and lethal than the former were built. The Essex class aircraft carriers had a long and fruitful history, before they were decommissioned. Today, some of them have been preserved and are open to the public as museums.