Kitty Hawk Flyover 3/23/24

[@sgtwotitan4012]

I can't imagine leaving my family and then leaving the shore in this capacity. I miss my father. He was on this ship at the end of Vietnam in Okinawa. Michael Bluemling. He was the best man that ever lived

[@edcurtis555]

The Kitty Hawk was my one and only ship I served on when I served in the Navy. I was ship's company assigned to Deck Department. Seen many good days, seen many bad days. But this ship got us through them all! It's so sad to see her be brought down like this. Thank you for the many fly overs. Sometimes it makes me cry to see such a decorated ship just to be scrapped! I will always and forever have many memories of this ship. The ports, the storms, the near collisions, the unreps, and the men who became friends and brothers. Goodbye to the best of the best. We kicked ass!

[@robertf3479]

I never served in Kitty Hawk, but to an old sailor there are fewer things sadder than seeing a magnificent ship, a good ship being broken up.

[@davesrandomstuff2279]

I think it depends on when you served with her. Looks like those who served early in her career loved her, but I know by the end she was generally referred to as the "Shitty Kitty" by her crew. For good reason, I presume (like you, I never served on her, but came in contact with many who did for reasons). It was time.

[@leonguisburg413]

It was an endearing nickname---not a negative one. She was referred to as "Shitty Kitty" as far back as 1975 when l enlisted. She was about 15 years old back then---essentially a new ship​@davesrandomstuff2279

[@erccurtis6029]

I served on Kitty Hawk from '70 to '72. I crossed the Pacific Ocean 3 times on her, what memories for a kid from a small town. Sad to see her getting dismantled, but life goes on.
I have some super 8 movies I took of flight ops, some shots in Subic Bay and other scenes in and around the ship. I hope to get it digitized and posted somewhere anyone can view it. To me, those old memories aren't just old memories, but more than that. . .

[@kemberleeshortland3471]

She's still with us. I dread the day of the last flyover when she's gone. Thanks Mike for these follow ups!

[@waynebrumley2315]

thank you for the Kitty Hawk flyovers ,she was my first and only carrier from 72 thru 75 with VA-195 Dambusters .she will always be my boat . FLY NAVY!!

[@briannicoll193]

Thanks, Mike. This is rare documentary footage. I served in KH from 80 - 82. It could be a little tough sometimes, but it made me a better man.

[@Hi_Ho_Methusalem]

Heartbreaking. I wasn't on Kitty Hawk, but when I was at RTC San Diego for boot camp. I saw her and Constellation sail by while I was still on Worm Island. I couldn't believe how big she was. I understand how her former crew members must feel watching this, since it's only a matter of time before MY ship, USS John F Kennedy CV67 will be scrapped there. RIP Kitty Hawk!!!

[@CocoaBeachLiving]

My brother was a medical rating, can't remember, on this ship in 1968. Crazy stuff, sad end to the old girl.. Great video capture

[@vfa-2126]

2:37 At the bottom of the screen right in the middle there you can see the back of a wall of gauges and such...just to the right of that you can see a desk that's been cleared out by the red and white "pipe". That' desk was the "Water Desk" in Damage Control Central. That was my workstation. There was an angled desk behind the panel (between the two rotating chairs where the CHENG and others would sit) where the EEOW and JEOW sat. Immediately to the right of my desk was where the Water Lab was, and the hatch going down to 1Aux (If I remember right).

[@carterchapman3628]

I didn't see any videos of my ship - Ranger - being scraped, but that has to be incredible memories for you - thanks for sharing!

[@RandyKincade]

Hey vfa-2126, I might remember the same space you are talking about. I used to man the “A-Div Trouble Desk.” Left side of that big angled desk you mentioned. Does that ring a bell with you? Also, on one of the side bulkheads, was there a big “patch board“ where all of the communication circuits from all over the ship could be connected, cross-connected, etc.?

[@vfa-2126]

@@RandyKincade Hey, A desk. Yeah, I remember that one, and I had E desk right next to me on my 8 o'clock from my desk and I believe it was R Desk right behind that pipe from me. There was also a big desk with benches for people to sit at on their 'phones during drills and GQ right in the middle back there. When were you onboard?

[@vfa-2126]

@@carterchapman3628 Sorry to hear that, If there are any I hope you find them. I missed my berthing getting torn out, and I thought I'd miss DCC as well...I damn near cried when I recognized it.

[@RandyKincade]

vfa- - I was MM3 in P-1 Div (1 & 4MMR) ‘73-‘76, then MM2 in A-Div ‘76-‘78 (LOX plant). Stood a lot of watches at that A desk! I also remember that Water Lab and the hatch going down to 1 Aux! Was a long time ago, but great, great memories!

[@daveboone1109]

Thanks Mike for doing this, as a youngster, I watched a lot of that steel being lowered by cranes into the graving dock where she was built in Camden, NJ. So sad to see her this way.

[@unitedurbanwarriorsociety8286]

My old ship the USS Tripoli went through Brownsville a couple years ago. (2018) I would love to find anything on her.

[@cubsfanmike6218]

You can see the top of the rudders. Thank you for this Mike!

[@nighthawk784]

Thanks again Mike. Great vids that you’ve been providing. Not many people are able to see this side of the life of a vessel that they lived on for long periods of time.

[@Jamie92208]

An absolutely fascinating series of videos I'm watching from France and always look forward to the next episode. .

[@envitech02]

Excellent footage. Hope we can see more.

[@lindseylyda9758]

Thank you Mike for sharing the fly overs and the dismantling of the Kitty Hawk that so many proudly served. I spent my 3 1/2 years in the after engineering space. Haven’t seen too much that resembles course could have missed that flyover. Again, you have done a great justice to do many thousands of service personnel that served on a great ship. 1/10/68-7/71 2mmr BT3 🇺🇸⚓️

[@autodetailaaron]

I don’t think they’ve gotten into the engineering spaces yet. Haven’t seen shafts yet, and they’d be below after steering and the tops of the rudders. I’m very curious to see what happens to the four main engines, as they are leased from GE, and the Navy does not own them. I really want to see those spaces and the magazines from above. That’s gonna take some cutting for sure!

[@RandyKincade]

Hi guys. At about 2:14 that big open cluttered pit you see is the remains of #1 engine room (1MMR). That big gear in the corner is the bull gear from the main reduction gear assembly. You can see that the two steam turbines you mentioned are not there. That big, gray roundish structure is part of the main condenser, which took the steam from the turbines. Fascinating! 4MMR would be the next space aft and is still covered. Then 2 then 3 moving aft. Yet to be opened.

[@autodetailaaron]

@@RandyKincade
Thanks so much for this! I see what you’ve pointed out. Does this mean they’ve dissected the main engine in that machinery room?

[@RandyKincade]

@@autodetailaaron.. disassembled and removed, I’m sure. Each main engine has two turbine/rotor assemblies. Maybe we’ll get lucky and see them in place in one of the other machinery rooms. That would be cool!

[@autodetailaaron]

Indeed! I got to walk from stem to stern under Kitty Hawk in the big dry dock at Bremerton when it was there in the late 90’s. My dad was CO of Camden (AOE-2) at PSNS, and his buddy was XO of Kitty Hawk at the time. I worked for the inactive ships maintenance group there and got to help set up the removal of the rudder and steering shaft from Ranger that Kitty Hawk got. Midway was there too, as well as Missouri and New Jersey. I’ve seen the engineering spaces on all of them so it’s super cool to see the dissection process and try to identify bits and pieces as from above. Dad was also CO of JFK, so it will certainly be bittersweet to see her arrive, but interesting to watch nonetheless. Thanks for your observations and conversation!

[@kevinwheatcroft]

Just visited Battleship New Jersey today and guess what: CV67 has been tied up at Philly Navy Yard for a long time awaiting the ship breakers torch. I met a fellow old sailor there today
. He did two Med cruises aboard JFK. He told me she is being towed to Brownsville next week (May. 1024) and I could tell this was an emotional time for him. I told him about the drone flyovers of Kitty while she was being dismantled. Maybe you’ll do the same for JFK? On a side note: the new JFK is tied up alongside the old Enterprise right now. Boy is she a beauty! Love these warships! Thanks for making these videos sir

[@timothypennekamp8545]

Good bye, I was on u from July 89 till November 1992 ,grew me up alot of memories on u old girl,😢

[@Chettjacobson]

Thanks Mike. It is sad to see her all most gone.

[@kerimbozkurt3301]

Thank you for these great videos, I wish the preserved at least one of these conventional super carriers ( I don’t think it is possible with CVNs).
At least, with these videos we get to see the anatomy of the carrier deck by deck, thanks again.

[@J.A-CA139]

Thank you for posting, cant believe she's almost gone.

[@waynetraxel6690]

Thanks again Michael for all you do to make these videos a reality. International Shipbreaking plans to have Kitty Hawk scraping complete at the end of May. At the 2:19 minute mark heading aft in this video it appears 1-MMR is very much gutted. To the left the grey structure appears the condenser of the main turbine. Looks like the LP & HP turbines has been removed. Aft of that the upper cover of the reduction gear is also gone showing the large gearing of the reduction gear. Five feet beyond that would be shaft continuing aft through the bulkhead into 4-MMR. To the right of the condenser there's a tan gang box. To the right of the gang box are the deck plates leading to the boiler front, No. 1-A & B boilers are gone. The deck plating of the boiler front still remains including the section extending forward where the 8 burners were located on A boiler. On 1-MMRs aft bulkhead there appears to be openings leading into 4-MMR with a major opening at the far right leading to No 4 main engine. Again, many thanks Michael for you're efforts to make these videos possible. Snipe BT-3 4-MMR 1968-1972.

[@RandyKincade]

You are 100% correct about all of that! As I may have mentioned before, I started my time on her there in #1 Main then got bumped back to 4 (which will probably be gone by our next flyover). Really brings back the memories seeing all of that again, even if torn apart!!

[@waynetraxel6690]

@@RandyKincade Thanks Randy, expect you're right about 4-MMR's condition during the April flyover. However, we may still view 2 & 3-MMR more intact. Really does bring back Memories. Take Care.

[@carterchapman3628]

Thanks for a great description Wayne!

[@jonathanrivas6421]

I haddly doubt it will be finish in may there still alot to do there

[@carterchapman3628]

@Michaelfarrell - we’re waiting for your April flyover!!

[@rickeyhall4254]

I remembered it coming to San Francisco for fleet week back in the Eighties.

[@gullreefclub]

It was 40 years ago and a few days that a Russian Submarine tried playing chicken with the Kitty Hawk. This resulted in a few barnacles and a little paint being scraped off the hull of the Kitty Hawk and the Russian sub well let’s just say it had a long slow trip being towed back home. A good friend of mine was serving on the Kitty Hawk then and said upon impact there was a thud and little vibration that went as fast as it occurred and shortly there after the boat’s store was selling Zippo lighters commemorating the incident.

[@maxlemaire6295]

Looking forward to when the engineering/propulsion spaces can been seen.

[@RandyKincade]

Wow, thanks Mike! So many of us really look forward to these updates! At about 2:16, middle left, could that be the bull gear of the main reduction gears in one of the engine rooms…? If so, I’m thinking that would be #1. (Most starboard of the four). Just amazing to see these things! P-1 Div, 4MMR, (MM3), ‘73-‘78.

[@seniormgtow7478]

Randy, I thing that might be one of the sieves for number 2 Deck Elevator from the way it is sitting

[@RandyKincade]

senior, that’s an interesting possibility, too. I see other things around that gear that look kind of like portions of the main condenser (which was directly beneath the main engine turbines, and next to the reduction gear. So I was thinking propulsion all the way, but who knows…?

[@carterchapman3628]

Thanks so much, Michael! Sad to see her coming apart. I’m interested in seeing the engine rooms, boilers and reduction gears, I guess they haven’t gotten to that part yet. I don’t see the stacks anymore though.

[@seniormgtow7478]

At 2:28 you can see one of the Armored hatches open, I'm guessing possibly 1 main or 4 main. At 2:41 it looks like the stack for 3 main is uncovered. It looks like towards the bow, they stopped cutting down about the Aux's. Just before 1 main.

[@carterchapman3628]

@@seniormgtow7478 Thanks Michael! I spent three cruises flying off of Ranger in '72, 74 and '76. I was able to buy a piece of her armored flight deck from ISB, but never saw great videos of her scraping like this!. Will you be taking the summer off again?

[@RandyKincade]

Hey, carterchapman, at about 2:15, could that be part of the reduction gears on the left side of the frame? Possibly the bull gear that actually drove the shaft?

[@RandyKincade]

seniormgtow7478…. At 2:40, just right of center, do I see written with red paint on a white panel “MMR 2” with an arrow pointing to an open hatch going down…?

[@B1900pilot]

The most difficult, and sad thing for me is trying to find something that looks familiar. And, I cannot…I spent over two-years of my life underway aboard this ship.

[@dannyt7211]

I wish the Navy had let her be donated to North Carolina, and moored with the USS North Carolina BB55

[@ijnfleetadmiral]

The Navy couldn't even let THE Enterprise (CV-6) be preserved...they won't do it for any of the post-WWII carriers.

[@sherrycowper6446]

My Husband served aboard the Kitty Hawk during Vietnam. Would of loved to gift him one padeye

[@arkyump]

thanks Mike.

[@user-bo1iq7sx9j]

Thank you

[@wowitslou]

Thanks for the update Mike. Looked like a great day to fly.

[@stanstenson8168]

Yet again, thanks Mike.

[@carterchapman3628]

Michael - I forgot to mention - One of my sister squadron mates from VA-113 (I was in VA-25) on Ranger, Jim Maslowski ended up as her Skipper in the 90's as I recall....

[@BELCAN57]

The Great Circle of Life.

[@johnmccann5318]

Michael...I'd like to thank you so very much for your repeated flyovers of my one-time home, USS Kitty Hawk. I served aboard her from late 1969 through mid-1973. Your videos brought a bit of my past back to life. I am indebted to you for them. Was THIS video the last one you filmed? Once again, thank you, sir.

[@michaelfarrell3446]

Thank you for serving

[@boondockingamerica]

It sucks to see your home for 3 years destroyed

[@johnbusby5614]

Will there be another flyover in May 24 or is she completely gone now?

[@45035]

I made the trip down to South Padie Island for the Kitty Hawk , I just might go back down there for the JFK too. No I did not serv on the JFK ,but I did serv on the hawk.

[@davemiller3027]

Hey guys, I was AIMD so never went to the Bowls or engine rooms so I have no idea what I’m looking at. In the Video at 2:17 on the left side there’s a large Wheel, what is it?

[@vfa-2126]

Looks like it's possibly one of the reduction gears

[@garycorkins105]

Will there be any more updates?

[@45035]

Is this the last video you are going to make of her Michael Farrell ?

[@michaelfarrell3446]

Yes. I am moving to Florida on Wednesday to be near kids and grandkids.

[@45035]

@@michaelfarrell3446 Well in that case Thankyou from the bottom of my heart Sr.

[@JohnWeitz-ou2yu]

94 cruise with VS-37

[@envitech02]

Any more recent videos?

[@dennisforster1526]

Hello Michael,
Hope all is well with you. I see it's been over 2 months since your last video of the Kittyhawk dismantling. Is she now just a memory for all the old crew members such as myself?
Thank you for all the videos in her final chapter.
D. Forster MM3 '66-'68

[@carterchapman3628]

Michael - looking for April and May Flyovers!

[@RandyKincade]

@carterchapman….. Michael posted a few weeks ago that he and his family have moved from South Texas to Florida. Personally, I thank him immensely for all the time, effort and money he put in to providing all of these videos! We all really got a really good look into KH’s “departure” from this world. God bless Michael, and God bless the Kitty Hawk!!

[@michaelnoble9639]

@@RandyKincade...Thank you Randy and thank you Michael Farrell for your time and effort.

[@shop99er]

Update coming soon?

[@raym1842]

Mike, is she gone now or are they still working on her?

[@michaelfarrell3446]

@@raym1842 we sold our home in South Texas a few months ago and moved to Florida

[@619sdbdub]

Michael..can you do a fly over this weekend?? TIA

[@michaelfarrell3446]

I moved to Florida

[@iamgriff]

I would have paid 10k for the Kitty Hawk. Retro fitted it for recreational purposes. Then sailed her down to the Red Neck Yacht Club and parked her. Charged 10 bucks to board, 100 bucks to land.

[@craigbryant8493]

Anymore updates coming up? 😢

[@Turboy65]

Now that we're in July, it's time for another video. I suspect they're getting down to the bottom levels by now, not a lot left.

[@keithzanto7764]

is the Hawk gone i have not seen no more video to the end ?

[@bradleyramondpierce133]

So so sad😢

[@terrelmchenry9524]

2:17 YOU CAN SEE A SET OF TORN DOWN MAIN REDUCTION GEARS AND MAIN CONDENSER.PROBABLY 4MMR. WHAT DO YOU THINK?

[@RandyKincade]

Yes, sir, you are correct. That is the reduction gear and main condenser. But certainly it’s 1MMR because it is on the starboard side. (This view is looking aft). Thrilling to see! MM3, 1 and 4MMR, ‘73-‘76.

[@terrelmchenry9524]

@@RandyKincade 3MMR JFK CV-67. I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT THEY WOULD TAKE MORE CARE IN REMOVING THE ENGINEERING PLANT. I HAVE BUILT THAT STUFF. OUR PLANT WENT 1/3 PORTSIDE AND 4/2 STARBOARD.

[@RandyKincade]

@@terrelmchenry9524 Interesting. On KH, #1 was outside stbd, #4 was outside port, 2 & 3 were inboard. Engine rooms were numbered (fore to aft) 1, 4, 2, 3. I know different classes/types of ships had different numbering systems. In some cases, the engine room numbers did not even match their shaft/screw numbers. Would seem awkward to me… The battleship New Jersey is an example. Lots of vids about her on YT, they discuss this very point in vid dedicated to propulsion system. Fun to watch.

[@terrelmchenry9524]

@@RandyKincade WE ALSO HAD FORCED DRAFT BLOWER ROOMS ABOVE THE EOS AND AMR BETWEEN 2-4 MAIN.

[@RandyKincade]

@@terrelmchenry9524 How were you involved in building systems like these? That sounds fascinating!

[@Peorhum]

Whats with the school bus looking thingy at :33

[@nighthawk784]

Any chance of a new updated video?

[@michaelfarrell3446]

Someone will need to carry the touch. My wife and I moved to Florida to be near kids and grandkids.

[@samstewart4807]

hi what is the name of the company selling scrap/ tools/ machines from the KH?

[@michaelfarrell3446]

International Shipbreaking

[@samstewart4807]

@@michaelfarrell3446 hi thanks!

[@samstewart4807]

@@michaelfarrell3446 hi and thanks. I just called them. Very polite and professional. I am expecting an appropriate response.

[@kevinthomas895]

Any new Kitty Hawk flyovers?

[@michaelfarrell3446]

I'm afraid not. We sold our house in South Texas and are on our way to Florida

[@waynetraxel6690]

@@michaelfarrell3446 Hi Michael, I for one am VERY relieved to hear this good news. Thank You again. Wayne Traxel Snipe BT-3 4MMR CVA-63 1968-1972

[@45035]

O my.

[@christopherwright369]

Take she is all gone now ?? Any update ??

[@michaelnoble9639]

The original timeline had recycling to be completed in 24 months so I would expect her to be gone by the end of June. Most of the metal is sent over the border where its smelted and sent back to the US for cars etc. The armor belting is really high grade steel and my understanding is that some of it is sent north for reprocessing and use in new warship construction. Fair winds and following seas Battle Cat.

[@jackmoran8164]

any idea when you plan on flying over her again?

[@RandyKincade]

As Michael has stated in a few posts two weeks ago, he and his family have moved away from South Texas to Florida, so he’s not there to make any more of these videos. Sad for all of us, but we wish Michael the best in his new home!

[@jackmoran8164]

@@RandyKincade looks like no one else is taking over

[@sgtwotitan4012]

RIP

[@warrior7ra]

CR/Comms Radioman 93 to 95 CV 63 the Hawk my berth was right between cats 1 and 2, which both ran through our berthing compartment. The main radio was sandwiched between them With the message window being under cat 1 portside she was a good ship better than thes Nukes, my son is on Nimitz what a soggy shit sandwich she is, soft spots in the deck, corrosion everywhere both interior and exterior paint and cleanliness lacking overheads and latrines filthy in the week I was there 4 seperate sewage leaks and the water is still undrinkable after being contaminated with sewage and JP5 a year and a half later and only 1 functioning catapult which coincidentally came from the Kitty Hawk ass did the reefer compressors and all the oven had to be salvaged from the Hawk a older ship that had been in mothballs for decade to replace the newer state of the art garbage that couldn't be repaired sad what the Navy has become. Not enough maint facilities, no Crew PM care and no pride. The Hawk should have been left in mothballs or made into a recall able museum not this they need to save the old JFK before she meets the Hawks fate, I think she will be sorely missed in the near future same as the Hawk

[@andrewsails1371]

Cool video. Can we get some better music on the next one?