Naval
Art Prints of the US carrier USS Lexington CV-16. These superb naval art
prints showing USS Lexington are available direct form naval art company a
division of Cranston Fine Arts
To
commemorate the carrier (CV-2) lost earlier in the war, The new Essex
class carrier which was going to be called USS Cabot was renamed USS Lexington
(CV-16). Built at Bethlehem, Quincy and laid down on the 15th
september 1941, and launched 26th september 1942 finally commissioned into
the us navy on 17th February 1943. In December 1943 her steering
gear was damaged by a Arial torpedo, she managed to get back to Puget
Sound navy Yard for repairs. Returning to action in March 1944. Took part
in the Battle for the Mariana, and the famous "Turkey Shoot" her
F6F's destroyed 45 enemy aircraft. USS Lexington took part in
the attack on the Japanese carriers Zuikaku, Chitose and Zuiho all being
sunk by Carrier aircraft. In November 1944 a kamikaze aircraft damaged her
control island. taken out of service on 23rd April 1947 and ion 1st October
1952 re designated CVA-16. becoming 1963 the US navies
training Carrier. still active in the 1990's as CVT.
Displacement:
27,200 tons and 34,881 tons full load. Sped 32.7 knots, range 15,000
nautical miles at 15 knots. Compliment: 2682
Armament: Twelve 5-inch, Thirty two 40mm
Forty six 20mm and 91 aircraft
Quite a Pair by Stan Stokes.
The US Navys first two effective aircraft carriers were the USS Lexington and the USS Saratoga; both converted from battle cruiser hulls in 1927. The Lexington, CV-2, was built in Quincy, Massachusetts, and commissioned in December of 1927. The Saratoga, CV-3, was built in Camden, New Jersey and commissioned in November of 1927. During fleet exercises in the early 1930s the capabilities and limitations of these two great ships had a huge impact on the evolution of carrier tactics. The speed of these big carriers allowed them to operate as an independent task force, and they would therefore need to carry an air group that would provide for a balance between offensive and defensive forces. The Lexington was in the Pacific during the attack on Pearl Harbor. She was involved in raids on Japanese strongholds in the southwestern Pacific in early 1942. She joined the Yorktown in the Battle of the Coral Sea. Her aircraft participated in attacks on the Japanese carriers Shoho, Shokaku, and Zui.........
Following the attack against Admiral Ozawas Japanese carrier fleet on June 20, 1944, Admiral Mitscher defies all rules of naval engagement: In total darkness, with the ever-present danger of enemy submarines, he orders every ship in his Task Force 58 to switch on lights to guide over 100 returning carrier-borne aircraft, all desperately low on fuel. Amid the confusion, unable to get a landing slot aboard the USS Lexington, and now out of fuel, a pilot and his gunner scramble from their ditched SB2B Curtiss Helldiver, as a Fletcher class destroyer manoeuvres to make the pick up.
Item Code : DHM2058
Mission Beyond Darkness by Robert Taylor - Editions Available
The Lady Lex, (CV-2) as she was popularly called, was one of only a handful of carriers available when the U.S. was plunged into WW II. Although the Lex would be lost during the War, she played an important combat role early in the War. In Stans painting, of the 2nd USS Lexington (CV-16) F6F Hellcats pass over the Lady.
Item Code : STK0071
USS Lexington by Stan Stokes. - Editions Available
On June 19, 1944 American Navy pilots ripped into wave after wave of enemy aircraft. As each new onslaught arrived there were more fighters there to meet them. Other squadrons joined in the melee and the radio circuits crackled with shouts and cries of encouragement. Hell this is like an old time turkey shoot! yelled one pilot - and thus the battle became known as the Great Marianas Turkey Shoot. By the late afternoon two Japanese carriers had been sunk by submarines, and an incredible 373 enemy planes shot down. The U.S. Navy pilots had won an historic victory. Seen hurtling off the deck of the U.S.S. Lexington is the F6F Hellcat of Lt. Alex Vraciu of Fighting Squadron VF-16. With 12 victories already to his credit, Vraciu would add a further 6 to his tally in the space of just 8 minutes on that momentous day.
Item Code : DHM2663
Scramble for the Marianas by Nicolas Trudgian. - Editions Available
