Top 5 Unusual and Interesting Aircraft Carrier Conversions
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- Опубліковано 28 чер 2024
- Welcome, aviation enthusiasts and history buffs, to a deep dive into the fascinating world of unconventional aircraft carrier conversions! In today's video, we'll explore five extraordinary naval transformations that reshaped the course of naval warfare. From the high seas of World War I to the complex designs of World War II, these forgotten giants have left an indelible mark on naval history.
Before we delve into the intriguing stories of these carriers, a quick disclaimer: This video is not an exhaustive historical analysis; rather, it's a layman's exploration of these incredible conversions. So, sit back, relax, and let's embark on a journey through time and innovation.
1. HMS Eagle
Our first stop takes us back to the South American Dreadnought Race. The Chilean battleships Almirante Cochrane and Almirante Latorre were part of this competition, armed with ten 14-inch guns and a top speed of 23 to 24 knots. However, the outbreak of World War I led to the British seizing Almirante Cochrane in 1914. In 1918, this Chilean dreadnought was reborn as HMS Eagle, an aircraft carrier with a unique starboard-side island structure. Eagle's journey, trials, and eventual sinking during Operation Pedestal in 1942 make her a compelling addition to our list.
2. HMS Furious
Next, we explore the saga of HMS Furious, originally conceived as a large battlecruiser. However, plans changed, and she became a pioneer in aircraft carrier design. Fitted with an innovative forward flight deck in 1917, Furious made history when Squadron Commander E.H. Dunning executed the first successful deck landing at sea. After further modifications, including the addition of an after-flight deck, Furious continued to evolve. Witness her unique configurations and contributions to early carrier operations, earning her a distinguished place on our list.
3. USS Langley
Moving across the Atlantic, we arrive at the United States' initial foray into aircraft carriers with the USS Langley. Converted from the fleet collier USS Jupiter, Langley was commissioned in 1922. Although not without challenges, Langley played a pivotal role in the development of carrier aviation. We explore her early experiments, successes, and subsequent transformation into a seaplane tender, shedding light on the crucial role she played in shaping the U.S. Navy's carrier capabilities.
4. HMS Argus
Our exploration takes us to the HMS Argus, a carrier born from the hull of an incomplete passenger liner. Argus was a testing ground for various carrier concepts, from a flush flight deck to an unconventional arrangement of the island structure. Her trials and innovations, including the use of an aft crane for seaplanes, provide a unique glimpse into early carrier development. Discover how Argus paved the way for future carrier designs through her unconventional features and successful experiments.
5. RN Aquila
Our final stop brings us to the lesser-known Italian aircraft carrier, Aquila. Originally the liner Roma, Aquila's conversion began in 1941, utilizing elements from light cruisers to boost her speed to 30 knots. Despite ambitious plans, Aquila faced setbacks, and her completion was halted in 1943. Unravel the story of this unfinished giant, including the challenges she faced and the potential impact she might have had if circumstances had allowed her to become operational.
As we navigate through these forgotten giants of naval history, it's essential to appreciate the ingenuity, challenges, and pivotal roles these carriers played in shaping the future of naval aviation. Join me in uncovering the rich histories and unique features of these remarkable vessels, each contributing a distinct chapter to the grand narrative of aircraft carrier evolution.
HMS Eagle video: • HMS Eagle: From Battle...
Intro: 0:00
HMS Eagle: 1:27
HMS Furious: 5:47
USS Langley : 11:30
HMS Argus: 16:13
RN Aquila: 18:49
Conclusion: 22:37
Sources/Other Reading:
www.amazon.com/British-Battle...
www.amazon.com/s?k=british+ba...
www.amazon.com/British-Aircra...
www.amazon.com/Mussolinis-Nav...
Video Information:
Copyright fair use notice. All media used in this video is used for the purpose of education under the terms of fair use. All footage and images used belong to their copyright holders, when applicable.
Thanks for watching everyone! I know this is a different style of video and won't be everyone's favorite but its a new year and I want to try something new out!
If you do a part 2 USS Wolverine and USS Sable seem like good candidates
USS Langley was one of a class of 4 Proteus class collier ships.
3 of the 4 vanished at sea somewhere in the Atlantic , USS Cyclops 1918, USS Proteus 1941, and USS Nereus 1941.
Interesting Fact:
The French ocean liner Normandie was considered by the U.S to be converted I to an aircraft carrier but unfortunately, she caught fire and sank in her moorings before the plan was enacted.
One of the American ship manufacturers burned it, so they would have to buy aircraft carriers from them made from the ground up LOL.🍁🙂
Akagi, Kaga, Lexington, and Saratoga would be my favorite conversions due to the awesome looks they would, eventually, have and the epic histories they would write.
NTK Junyo and Hiyo was also passenger ship conversion but unlike RM Aquila they where active during the war
Great video thank you
The four twin 15” turrets that were removed from Glorious and Courageous were eventually fitted to the Royal Navy’s, and the worlds, last battleship H.M.S. Vanguard. There is some debate as to whether or not Furious actually had her forward 18” turret fitted, some sources claim that the decision to install a flying off deck was made before the turret was ready for installation and it was never fitted, others claim that installation had begun but was stopped prior to completion and the partially installed turret removed, although there are several photographs showing Furious with the aft turret and forward flying off deck there are none showing the ship with both turrets fitted.
Even more interesting is the fact that next week, we’ll find out where those 18 inch guns went!
Nicely done! I enjoyed your choices.
Langley has an interesting side story in what happened to all 3 of her sisters. After the Navy switched to all oil fueled the remaining three Jupiter Colliers were used to haul Manganese Ore from South America to Baltimore. All three ships disappeared during storms in what we know as the Bermuda Triangle. (Queue spooky music and insane internet conspiracy theories. Possibly Aliens! )
An interesting thing to consider as regards the Courageous class given fisher's rather revolutionary ideas for the time; he saw the future as lying with submarines from about 1905 and later aircraft before WWI rather than with the battlefleet is that the courageous class were designed from the outset for conversion once Admiralty and government thinking had caught up with Fisher. Their high speed,light belt armour and especially having only two barbettes for the main armament made conversion to carriers easier while they would have been utterly useless as was proved to be the case in chasing cruisers or as monitors
The story and ultimate fate of HMCS Canada is an interesting one.
i'm *just* old enough to remember the BONAVENTURE fiasco, as it was big on all of our news programs.
sad fate, eh 😳
(The “Bonnie” was commissioned at Belfast on January 17, 1957, and arrived at Halifax on June 26, carrying on deck an experimental hydrofoil craft that was to serve in the development of HMCS Bras d’Or. Unlike her predecessors, BONAVENTURE had Banshee jet fighters and Tracker A/S aircraft as her complement. Like them, she enjoyed a busy career of flying training and participation in A/S and tactical exercises with ships of other NATO nations. What was expected to be her mid-life refit, carried out from 1966 to 1967, took 16 months and cost over $11 Million. This cost proved to be too high for Canada’s Navy, as she was paid off in 1970, and sold for scrap. )
@@talpark8796I'm plenty old enough to remember the Bonaventure and I'm pretty sure it ended up in India not scrapped. I happened to know a couple of vets who served on her. And they told me this canadian navy veterans.ps she was to short for jet combat operations🍁🙂
Good choices. The american and japanese battlecruiser/carrier convertions are well covered. Details on Aquila are very scarce, but it is an interesting study case. In almost all carrier videos I've seen, the hangars layouts and machinery spaces distributions are missing. In some instances, sketches could be found in the internet. These informations could be useful, I guess, for people who have interest in the engineering aspects of the carriers.
Well done, thank you
I mean, this list is opinion based as you said but that's totally fine! It's just an excuse to discuss and debate in the comments.
Yeah I know, just didn’t want those comments you forgot this ship or that ship. But, you were the inspiration for the video!
Excellent new format! I'd be delighted if you added it to your repretoire.
Just a random fact about the Langley....
Her other sister ships all disappered without a trace. The most famous... USS Cyclops
Oh yes! Beware the Bermuda Triangle!
Cool
I'm delighted by your video, but I'm mildly disappointed you did not include Japanese carriers, of which there is also quite an ecclectic selection to choose from.
If I ever do a follow up video I’ll be sure to add them. I just didn’t have the sources I wanted to do them justice.
Leverkusen vs. Gladbach is about to start, so I can't watch the video
The top 5 include:
Akagi, Kaga, Lex/Sara, Independence Class, something from WW1
continue with football
Carriers were incorrigible rascals!
Eighteen inch gun are you sure just asking🍁🙂🇨🇦
Yep! 100% confident Furious had 18 inch guns!
I still love you
ua-cam.com/video/-YJgWSakf-E/v-deo.htmlsi=M7hbAq1gX77nrk6x
Where is Akagi and Kaga? Making a weird carrier conversion video without mentioning the first iterations of these two is like writing a WW2 book without mentioning the Nazis.
Lol. Like I said it’s the ones I chose because I found them interesting. It’s really not that deep.
@@ImportantHistory true
SWELL