United States Navy - CVX (1940)

[Graham1973]

A year before Pearl Harbour the USN commissioned a study into a 'tweaked' version of USS Wasp (CV-7) under the designation CVX, the principle changes were using only two aircraft elevators and the fitting of more powerful engines to give 32knots planned speed. Given what happened to USS Wasp the decision to not proceed with building a ship (or class) to this design was a good one.

https://www.shipscribe.com/styles/S-511/images/s-file/s511-20c.htm

 

[EwenS]

In terms of the flight deck layout, note both lifts present have been moved forward relative to CV-7 (akin to the positions of the eventual CV-9 Essex class). The one “eliminated” in this design was the rudimentary side lift. CV-7 was the first Carrier with a side lift and she was only entering service in April 1940, so the jury would still be out on their efficacy. In CV-7 it was fitted in the same place as the hangar deck catapult, which I note is still present in this design.

The machinery layout is interesting showing a move to a full unitised arrangement. CV-7 had her 6 boilers sandwiched between the two engine rooms. But on 120,000shp it would have meant 4 shafts not 2 so reducing internal space in the lower hull.

Drawings of CV-7 here for comparison

https://www.hnsa.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/cv7.pdf

And her loss report

https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/rep/WDR/U.S.S.%20WASP%20(CV-7),%20TORPEDO%20DAMAGE%20-%20South%20Pacific,%20September%2015,%201942%20(LOST%20IN%20ACTION).pdf

Basic problem with such a small ship is the inability to provide any depth of protection forward in a narrow hull against torpedo hits around the avgas tanks.

 

[Graham1973]

Thanks for the additional info EwenS. I'd tried to locate the drawings for USS Wasp but the link off the Wikipedia article for the ship went to an archived page that didn't mention the plans for USS Wasp.

It's also interesting to note that the USN started work on tweaking the design only a few months after USS Wasp was launched/comissioned. It's incredibly frustrating to realize just how many interesting documents were lost in the 1970s as 'surplus to requirements'.

 

[Tzoli]

Thanks for the additional info EwenS. I'd tried to locate the drawings for USS Wasp but the link off the Wikipedia article for the ship went to an archived page that didn't mention the plans for USS Wasp.

It's also interesting to note that the USN started work on tweaking the design only a few months after USS Wasp was launched/comissioned. It's incredibly frustrating to realize just how many interesting documents were lost in the 1970s as 'surplus to requirements'.

It was common practice back then for every navy to start designing the next class of warships immideatly after the previous one was ordered. For example the Tosa/Kaga class of the IJN was at first just a lenghtened and faster Nagato, the Lion started as a modified KGV or the QE as a modified Iron Duke etc.

 

[Mark Nankivil]

In terms of the flight deck layout, note both lifts present have been moved forward relative to CV-7 (akin to the positions of the eventual CV-9 Essex class). The one “eliminated” in this design was the rudimentary side lift. CV-7 was the first Carrier with a side lift and she was only entering service in April 1940, so the jury would still be out on their efficacy. In CV-7 it was fitted in the same place as the hangar deck catapult, which I note is still present in this design.

The machinery layout is interesting showing a move to a full unitised arrangement. CV-7 had her 6 boilers sandwiched between the two engine rooms. But on 120,000shp it would have meant 4 shafts not 2 so reducing internal space in the lower hull.

Drawings of CV-7 here for comparison

https://www.hnsa.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/cv7.pdf

And her loss report

https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/rep/WDR/U.S.S.%20WASP%20(CV-7),%20TORPEDO%20DAMAGE%20-%20South%20Pacific,%20September%2015,%201942%20(LOST%20IN%20ACTION).pdf

Basic problem with such a small ship is the inability to provide any depth of protection forward in a narrow hull against torpedo hits around the avgas tanks.

Thanks for the links - appreciated. A few years ago, we had a collection donated to our Museum and the Grandfather of the donor was Executive Officer on the Wasp when she delivered Spitfies to Malta (twice) and when she was sunk. He earned his Navy Wings at NAS Miami in 1918 on flying boats. Later in the war, he was the first Commanding Officer of the USS Hancock. More here on his military career:

Dickey, Fred Clinton

Download PDF Version [6.5MB]

www.history.navy.mil

Interestingly, his son (donor's Father) flew Scouts of cruisers during most of the war and in the last year flew Mariners. Psot war he flew with the Navy Reserves out of Grosse Ile and Glenview. It was his collection that we acquired.


Enjoy the Day! Mark