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Midway Class Aircraft CarrierThe Midway class aircraft carrier was one of the longest lived carrier designs in modern history. First commissioned in late 1945, the lead ship of the class, USS Midway was not decommissioned until 1991, shortly after seeing service in the Gulf War. The class was originally conceived as the largest aircraft carrier of the era, with the ability to ferry more planes than any other carrier in the US fleet (30-40 more aircraft than the Essex-class). In their original configuration of World War II aircraft, they had an airwing of almost 130 aircraft. Unfortunately, it was soon realized that so many planes was beyond the effective command and control ability of one ship. However, the greater carrying ability of the class made it perfect for the larger and heavier jet fighter planes that started showing up in the 1950's. None of the class went on war cruises during the Korean War and were mainly deployed to the Mediterranean. Carriers of the Midway class did perform combat duties in the Vietnam War. The USS Coral Sea was deployed to Vietnamese waters a half a dozen times, the USS Midway was deployed on three occasions, and the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt saw one short combat deployment before again frequenting the Mediterranean. As the 1970s drew to a close, the Midway class of carriers began to show their age. In 1977 the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt was decommissioned, with the USS Midway and USS Coral Sea sure to follow. The ships were rescued from their fate by the election of Ronald Reagan in 1980. His policy of a large military buildup resulted in the remaining ships of the class having their service lives extended. Sadly, even this reprieve could not last. By 1990 the USS Coral Sea was on the list for decommissioning. The USS Midway had one last war to take part in, and was one of the six aircraft carriers deployed by the US against Iraq in the Gulf War. A few months after the war, the last of the class left Navy service. The USS Midway spent over a decade in mothballs before being rescued by a museum group. The ship is now open to the public as a San Diego museum. General characteristics - Displacement: 45,000 tons (stand)
- Length: 968 ft (295 m) (oa)
- Beam: 113 ft (34.4 m) at w. 1.
- Draft: 33 ft (10.1 m) max
- Armament: 18 x 5 in (127 mm) 54 DP; 21 x 40 mm quads; 28 x 20 mm
- Speed: 33 knots (61 km/h)
- Power: 212,000 hp (158 MW)
- Drive: 4 screws; geared turbines
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