When I was on the Big E in '71', I noticed the island had a dome at the top with rows of separated blocks that went one direction on one row, then an opposite direction on the next. What purpose did these things serve other than to look cool?

A picture is worth a thousand words on this one.

Okay. I found a decent copy of the photo of TF-1 consisting of the Big E, the LONG BEACH, and the Braindead... er BAINBRIDGE (CVN-65, CGN-9, and CGN-25).

I notice there is no SPS-48 or other visible 3-D Air Search Radar on ENTERPRISE; something you would definitely want on a floating airport.

So a SWAG is that it is an early 3-D phased-array radar system.

Yup, that's it alright. Now I heard rumors that The Big E had the electronic savvy to produce a radar image of herself being in another location other than that of her real location. Is that what this dome was for?

Found the answer at fas.org

quote:

The years 1979 to 1982 were spent at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard receiving a reconstructed island and numerous improvements. When first completed the island of the Enterprise had a very unique shaped structure consisting of a dome shaped top resting on a box, supporting SPS-32 and 33 radars, plus many ECM antennas, which were located on all four sides and top dome of the ship. These were all removed during retrofit, and the island was completely altered to resemble the island of Kitty Hawk class carriers.

p.s. - I really think this should be in Surface Warfare, instead of this area.

Thanks Johnny B, you're well informed and know how to research and direct. Ever consider working for the Library Of Congress, or Public Affairs for the Department of Defense? They could use you. For real!

What was often described as an "upsidedown icecream cone" on top of the Big E's island was a collection of EW antenaes. Only Enterprise had it. The Phased array SPS radar arrays were on the sides of the island. The Long Beach also had the same radars, the only two ships in the fleet to ever have them. It was in part the reason the the island of the Enterprise and the superstructure of the Long Beach looked so simular.

quote:

Originally posted by Johnny_B:
Okay. I found a decent copy of the photo of TF-1 consisting of the Big E, the LONG BEACH, and the Braindead... er BAINBRIDGE (CVN-65, CGN-9, and CGN-25).

I notice there is no SPS-48 or other visible 3-D Air Search Radar on ENTERPRISE; something you would definitely want on a floating airport.

So a SWAG is that it is an early 3-D phased-array radar system.

If you look closely at this photo you can see me in the 2 of the E=MC2.
We did this shot once in Blues which didn't show up very well so we did it over in Whites.
Crossing the Equator 4 times and going around both Horns we were going from hot to cold and Blues to Whites and back several times.

quote:

Originally posted by Johnny_B:
Found the answer at fas.org[QUOTE]The years 1979 to 1982 were spent at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard receiving a reconstructed island and numerous improvements.

During that time period I was a member of Co. C, 1st Bn 803rd Armor, an Army Guard Tank Company in Bremerton, WA. Several of the company's senior NCOs were employed as PSNS. (WE had our fare share of prior service Navy guys in that company too)

Anyway, during that four year long yard period, the Big "E" or was commonly referred to as BLdg. 65 by all those that worked at PSNS.

Oh, Had to bring this up front. I put 6 good years on the Big E or as some one said Bldg-65. All ships or buildings in a ship yard. That dome top side was empt or nothing more then a look out post under way, the gear outside the dome did not work all that well, the folks that took care of the gear had other words for it. During the overhull much work was done up there and a few tons taken off the island as well. Enterprise is a city at sea, a moving zip code. In fact any carrier is a moving zip code at sea, look at how many people it takes to get her underway and make for sea, do her job, and keep all safe on board, keep her looking good. When you see a carrier out of commission not making a sound, not moving or any more then a bird farm waiting to be cut up or sunk, history not making history at sea for the U.S.Navy. Most of us old hats look back and wounder where it all went, all the great ships we sailed on, Thats what its all about. You went in and did your time, ships did there time, we all end up on the back side of history while the new folks come in and do what we did and so on. My Dad did 30 years in the Navy starting in 1929, I did my 24 years starting in 1960, both of us call it the "Old Navy". The new people call if the "Old Navy", old ships, old car, old any thing yesterday, years ago for us old hats. Now its a BBQ in the back yard talking about the old Navy days, you new Navy people will do as we or doing right now, "Old Navy Days". Back to the Big-E, 1960 too now 2009 and My Old Navy Ship is still making way at sea. How about that shipmates. A ship built over 40 years ago still up front, the folks that take her to sea right now....The not Born yet, then, 1960,, "Ya" get my point. I love old ships. After I retired from the Navy I spent 15 years more at sea in the Merchant Marines and I'd do it all over again if my wife would turn her back so I could run for the dock and turn the clock back. Been reading most of the different sites here, good stuff most of it. All History, History yesterday. Take Mom to dinner on Sunday, your wife to dinner. Mothers Day this Sunday. Got a flag, put it up. Mom will love that flag flying on Mother Day. "Boats".. Al

There's also a second picture of the "E=MC2" which we did in '97

Okay, while I have a few of the original TF-1 people here, what are the aircraft on the aft part of the flight deck, right behind the island?
A-1's would be my guess, but I can't ever find a picture to zoom in on close enough to ID. Still and awesome pic after all these years.

Not an Airdale but as I remember A-1s were prop driven. My surmise is that those in the delta first aft of the island are A-4s. Surmise based on high horizontal surface on the tail, and the delta configuration of the wings.

quote:

Originally posted by WildSnide_USMC53D:
Okay, while I have a few of the original TF-1 people here, what are the aircraft on the aft part of the flight deck, right behind the island?
A-1's would be my guess, but I can't ever find a picture to zoom in on close enough to ID. Still and awesome pic after all these years.

According to the caption of a B/W photo taken at the same time as the color picture linked to above, the aircraft on deck at the time were;

quote:

Planes on her flight deck include 9 A-5, 22 A-4; 10 F-4; 14 F-8 and 2 E-1 types. Those aft are parked in an arrowhead arrangement.
The photograph was released for publication on 30 July 1964, upon the commencement of Operation "Sea Orbit", the circumnavigation of the World by Task Force One, made up of the Navy's first three nuclear-powered surface ships.

BoatsBM1

Sort of sad to think that both long Beach and Bainbridge have been de-commed for well over 10 years, before there time IMO, they had both just went through the NTU program only a few years earlier.