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From: pms2@jaguar.uofs.edu
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Random thoughts on Ships
Message-ID: <1991Mar27.051326.22591@amd.com>
Date: 27 Mar 91 05:13:26 GMT
Sender: military@amd.com
Organization: University of Scranton
Lines: 41
Approved: military@amd.com



From: pms2@jaguar.uofs.edu

	In reference to my first post (F-117's, B-2's....), I'd like to say 
thanks for helping to more fully inform an somewhat ignorant person (i.e., me).
Now, down to the dirty work....

	A few articles have been posted concerning converting aircraft carriers
(spec. the Forrestals and Kitty Hawks) to nuclear.  I tend to believe that this
would be (a) prohibitively expensive, and (b) patently ignorant!  Not to put
eight good ships down, but the Forrestals will be some 40 years old and the
Kitty Hawks approx. 30 this decade.  Obviously, they have quite a few good 
years left in them; however, converting to nuclear power would probably cost as
much as a new Nimitz - $4-5 billion each (not counting the number of nuke
technicians needed to keep the plant up).  Besides, DoD is spending money on
SLEP's for all of 'em, and this takes 28-36 months itself.

	Just saw an ad in _USNI Proceedings_ saying that the Arleigh Burke was
launched.  Anyone know how many of these are going to be built?  Also, did they
retrofit the Aegis system onto these, or did they have to do a few mods from
the Ticonderogas (i.e., is it the same, or is it different?  Enquiring minds
want to know.)

	I've also seen ads in _Proceedings_ by GE re: the Seawolf.  Has anyone
given consideration to giving it a stretch and making it a combination attack
sub/SSBN?  Ian Tyler/Taylor (can't remember which) in _WWIII: Rage of Battle_
(yeah, I read these things - sorry :-) suggests it, as does _Jane's_, though 
in a more low-key way.  I'd think 8-10 Tridents would be good (a good 
replacement for the Ben Franklins (right class?), methinks.)

	One last question: anyone know of any company that makes 1/350 scale
models of ships besides Tamiya?  Is there a way to get product catalogs from
any of the manufacturers, also (Testors/Italieri, Tamiya, etc.)?  I'd 
appreciate hearing from anyone with such info (Scranton has lousy hobby shops!)
Thanks a lot!

--
Peter Stockschlaeder
University of Scranton (PA)
pms2@jaguar.uofs.edu