Recommissioned US Navy ships

[Olefin]

By the way - the CH-47 that is used at the end of Going Home to get the perimeter guards back does argue for a Tarawa size ship for it to land on or at least a helo platform a lot bigger than what is on a John Hancock

John Hancock was designed for helos half the size of a CH-47 - she couldnt land it

Tarawa could

[James Langham]

Ditching in the water might be the only option? Actually alternatively landing on the deck of a cargo ship (the Royal Navy converted the Atlantic Conveyer into such a surrogate helicopter carrier for Chinooks in the Falklands - see the detail on Bravo November)

Originally Posted by Olefin

By the way - the CH-47 that is used at the end of Going Home to get the perimeter guards back does argue for a Tarawa size ship for it to land on or at least a helo platform a lot bigger than what is on a John Hancock

John Hancock was designed for helos half the size of a CH-47 - she couldnt land it

Tarawa could

[James1978]

Originally Posted by James Langham

Ditching in the water might be the only option? Actually alternatively landing on the deck of a cargo ship (the Royal Navy converted the Atlantic Conveyer into such a surrogate helicopter carrier for Chinooks in the Falklands - see the detail on Bravo November)

Aircraft Transport is probably a better description.

Think Defense has an interesting write-up on the conversion of Atlantic Conveyor during the Falklands War and includes pictures.

[Rainbow Six]

Originally Posted by James Langham

Ditching in the water might be the only option? Actually alternatively landing on the deck of a cargo ship (the Royal Navy converted the Atlantic Conveyer into such a surrogate helicopter carrier for Chinooks in the Falklands - see the detail on Bravo November)

I always thought landing on one of the cargo ships would be the most likely option.

[Legbreaker]

Originally Posted by Olefin

By the way - the CH-47 that is used at the end of Going Home to get the perimeter guards back does argue for a Tarawa size ship for it to land on or at least a helo platform a lot bigger than what is on a John Hancock

There is no reason to believe the CH-47 was to land on the USS John Hancock. In fact, as flagship and one of the few warship escorts (and the only one actually named, or even mentioned), it doesn't make much sense for it to hang about until the last minute instead of providing security and command where needed. Additionally, the rearguard is not going to include anyone needed or even desired to be on the flagship - they are probably composed of an infantry platoon under the command of a junior officer.

With most ships in the fleet requiring work to convert them to troop carriers, it's very probable a civilian cargo vessel was fitted with a suitable landing pad.

Therefore the existence of the CH-47 cannot be used as evidence to say the Tarawa was included. As discussed many times before, the assignment of the John Hancock as flagship is a strong indicator the Tarawa was not available.

[Adm.Lee]

Originally Posted by Legbreaker

With most ships in the fleet requiring work to convert them to troop carriers, it's very probable a civilian cargo vessel was fitted with a suitable landing pad.

IIRC from the example of the Atlantic Conveyor, a locked-down stack of containers can form a suitable landing pad...

[Legbreaker]

Originally Posted by Adm.Lee

IIRC from the example of the Atlantic Conveyor, a locked-down stack of containers can form a suitable landing pad...

Exactly what I was thinking. Weld on a few extra tie down points and you'd have little problem strapping the helicopter into place.

Alternatively, it's possible the helicopter was piloted by Germans and simply returned to land after dropping off the rearguard.

[Olefin]

I had forgotten all about the Atlantic Conveyor - and actually in a way opens up a way for their to be "aircraft carriers" that are still operational but non-traditional ones - i.e. ships like that operating either helos or VTOL aircraft like Ospreys and Harriers

and considering the lack of air opposition in much of the world even a couple of MD500 helos armed with unguided missiles would give you a big advantage

[Webstral]

Again, I'm no Navy guy, but I do believe that operating helicopters off a ship requires something very different than transporting helicopters on a ship. Some sort of sheltered work space would be required for maintenance. Other activities might well require below-decks space. HMS Ocean is a dedicated helicopter carrier. Her design reflects what the Royal Navy considers to be mandatory for sustained operations. Again, though, I have a very sketchy idea of what it takes to keep a dozen helos in the air on an ongoing basis.

[Olefin]

not talking about a sustained carrier - I mean an emergency carrier - i.e. you need make a landing and you need air support but no carrier available - a container ship could give you a way to get a few helos or VTOl aircraft there and be able to use them in the landing - obviously of limited utility for any sustained ops - but it woudlnt be sustained mainly for a limited duration for a specific mission