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Model comes on  base, please see bottom image
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Model comes with 64 accessory pieces
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Photography by Action Asia Photo
© 2002-8 Action Asia Photo - All Rights Reserved
www.actionasiaphoto.com

The Kitty Hawk Class is based on an improved Forrestal Class design featuring improved elevator and flight deck arrangement. These ships are larger than those of the Forrestal class and have two elevators forward of the island structure (Forrestal has one only elevator forward of island) and the portside elevator is on the stern quarter rather than more forward as in the Forrestal. The first two ships that comprise this class are CV-63 USS Kitty Hawk and CV-64 USS Constellation.

The next hull, CVN-65 USS Enterprise, was the first nuclear powered aircraft carrier and is not considered part of the Kitty Hawk class.

The next hull, CV-66 USS America is part of the Kitty Hawk class - but was not upgraded like her sisters and was decommissioned early.

The final hull sometimes considered part of the Kitty Hawk class is CV-67 USS John F. Kennedy. However,  Kennedy has several modifications not inherent to the class and is therefore correctly referred to as "undefined class".

USS Kitty Hawk was ordered on October 1st, 1955 and took six years to build at the Naval shipyard in  New York. She was commissioned on September 29th, 1961 as the attack aircraft carrier CVA-63. In 1973, Kitty Hawk was converted to a multi-mission aircraft carrier and re-designated CV-63. The conversion increased the ship's anti-submarine warfare capability by adding 10 new helicopter calibrating stations; installing a sonar/sonobuoy readout and analysis center and associated equipment; and changed a large portion of the ship's operating procedures to greatly increase the ship's anti-submarine capability. At the same time the jet blast deflectors (JBD) were enlarged and more powerful catapults were installed in order to handle the Navy's new F-14 Tomcat, which Kitty Hawk received for her next deployment.

Kitty Hawk underwent her next overhaul in 1996-97 which replaced the Terrier Surface-to-Air missile system with the NATO Sea Sparrow system, and added elevators and modified weapons magazines to provide an increased capability for handling and stowing the newer, larger air launched weapons.

Kitty Hawk had a 3rd overhaul in 1982. Then, from 1987 through 1991, the ship received an extensive overhaul that added an estimated 20 years to the planned 30-year life of the ship.

In 1998 Kitty Hawk departed from Naval Air Station North Island - ending a 37 year relationship with the city of San Diego - and headed to Yokosuka, Japan where she replaced CV-62 USS Independence as part of a planned rotation of forward-deployed naval forces. She now operates out of Yokosuka and is America's only permanently forward deployed aircraft carrier.

The offensive/defensive capability of Kitty Hawk is provided by the Weapons Department. There are over 2,000 tons of ordnance on board ranging from air and surface-launched missiles to state-of-the-art precision guided weapons. Weapons storage is provided in 54 magazines which are accessed by 11 weapons elevators. For underway replenishment there are primary receivers located along the starboard side for the transfer of fuel from supply ships that run alongside. Mail, weapons, food and people are also transferred in that fashion.

The USS Kitty Hawk is a small "floating city" complete with a hospital furbished with state-of-the-art equipment and a full staff of health care professionals. The 65 inpatient beds, ICU, pharmacy, X-ray, laboratory, operating and emergency room capabilities enable for the effective management of minor to major illnesses and injuries. When the ship is at general quarters, six battle dressing stations - or triage areas - provide on-the-scene medical care.
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