Midway Class Aircraft Carriers DVD

The Midway Class Aircraft Carriers DVD is a collection of films and newsreels on the famous CVB Midway Class Aircraft carriers. They were the Navy's first armor plated deck aircraft carriers, and were conceived in 1940. The first of their class was the USS Midway, CV-41. Her keel was laid down in 1943, and was commissioned in Sept 10th, 1945, one week after the war ended with Japan. The Midway class carriers became the largest ships in the world until 1955, and at 972 ft long and a beam of 113 ft, they also were the first Navy ships that couldn't pass through the Panama canal.

The big difference between the Midway Class carrier and the famous Essex Class carrier was the armored deck vs the Essex's wooded deck. This also led to a complete design change. To accommodate the weight, the ships had to be bigger, wider, and lower to compensate for the greater weight from the 4 inches of steel armored deck.

The USS Midway has served for 47 years of continuous service and all three Midway aircraft carriers served in Vietnam. The USS Midway even served in the War with Iraq, "Desert Storm".

The Midway class of aircraft carriers consisted of three ships, each with distinct designations and periods of service. Here is an overview of these impressive vessels:

1. USS Midway
• Designations: CV 41, CVB 41, CVA 41
• Service Period: 1945 to 1992
2. USS Franklin D. Roosevelt
• Designations: CV 42, CVB 42, CVA 42
• Service Period: 1945 to 1977
3. USS Coral Sea
• Designations: CV 43, CVB 43, CVA 43
• Service Period: 1947 to 1990

These carriers served as formidable assets in the U.S. Navy, adapting through changes in technology and naval strategy over their decades of service.

Evolution of Armament and Aviation Capabilities of Midway Class Carriers

The Midway class carriers underwent significant changes in armament and aviation capabilities throughout their service. Originally, these ships were equipped with an array of powerful weaponry, including 18 five-inch guns, 21 quad 40 mm Bofors guns, and 28 twin 20 mm Oerlikon guns. However, as technology progressed, these armaments were gradually scaled down.

Refit and Upgrades- During later refits, notable enhancements included:

• Transitioning to advanced missile systems with the installation of two Mk.29 launchers for RIM-7 Sea Sparrow Missiles, each with the capability to hold and reload 16 missiles.
• Introduction of two Mk.15 Phalanx Close-In-Weapon Systems (CIWS) to bolster close-range defense.

Aviation Enhancements- Initially designed with a full flight deck, capable of supporting up to 100 aircraft, the aviation facilities of these carriers were significantly strengthened over time. In the 1947-48 upgrades, crucial modifications were made which included:

• Strengthened flight decks to accommodate modern aircraft
• Replacement of some gun systems with ten dual 3/50 anti-aircraft guns for improved defense
• Enhanced provisions for handling nuclear weapons

Continuous Modernization- Continuous updates in the electronic systems were a hallmark of these carriers, ensuring they remained competitive in evolving naval warfare. With various upgrades and overhauls, the Midway class carriers showcased superior capabilities.

These advancements illustrate the adaptive nature of the Midway class carriers, evolving from their original configurations to remain effective fighting forces well into their operational lives.

DVD Contents

Film #1 - USN Carrier History - This a great history of the importance of the USN carriers, from USS Langley CV-1 to the construction of the Yorktown class, to Essex class to the Midway class and finally, the 1st nuclear carrier CVN-65, USS Enterprise. Runtime is about 17 minutes.

Film #2 - The USS Midway, CV-41 - This a great story about the early days of the USS Midway CV-41 at sea. This rare film shows the USS Midway as a "straight deck" carrier with F8F Bearcats and AD Skyraiders in use, plus a few jets onboard. Runtime is about 9 minutes.

Film #3 -A Day aboard the CV-42 - In 1957, a film crew got to go aboard the USS Roosevelt for a day. Great footage of the ship in action too. Runtime is about 12 minutes.

Film #4 -The Battle of the Coral Sea and Midway - This film is from the 1952 series Victory at Sea, called Midway. This episode tells the story of how Japan took over almost all of the Asian Pacific region and was only stopped at the Battle of the Coral Sea and Midway. Japan never recovered after these battles. These great battles are where the Midway class got their names. This is a great story. Runtime is about 26 minutes.

Film #5 -USS Midway CV-41 Newsreels - This a short collection of newsreels on the USS Midway CV-41 with a runtime of about 9 minutes:

• USS Midway Launched
• Midway with the 7th Fleet
• USS Midway carries out Arctic Tests
• Short Carrier Post WW2 story on Naval aircraft

Film #6 -USS FDR, CV-42 - This is a collection of short clips on the CV-42 USS Franklin D. Roosevelt with a runtime of about 11 minutes:

• CV-42 launched from drydock
• CV-42 commissioned
• Ceremonies of CV-42 at Navy Day
• CV-42 Civilian go aboard the CV-42

Film #7 -USS Coral Sea CV-43 - This is a collection of short clips on the USS Coral Sea CV-43 with a runtime of about 8 minutes:

• USS Coral Sea sent to Vietnam
• The AD Skyraider story and the CV-43

Total runtime for the Midway Class Aircraft Carriers DVD is about 92 minutes. Format is NTSC DVD and region-free.