Carrier

[MikeK]

Last night I recorded the first episode of a 10 part PBS documentary on the USS Nimitz. I have watched about 30 minutes of it so far. It is a pretty interesting insight into life about a big ship. Long hours, harsh conditions, etc. It is a pretty incredible way of life, especially considering the majority of the people on board are 18 and 19 years old, and for many it is their first time away from home.

From what I have seen so far I can definately recommend it. It appears that the first 2 hours that have already been aired can be seen on the website.

http://www.pbs.org/weta/carrier/

The episodes continue on PBS each night this week.

[Highdesertsuby]

Saw a bit of it, was pretty cool. My brother-in-law was stationed on the USS Midway in the first Gulf war, and he's told me alot about what it was like to live on a carrier. Sounded fun, but too dang busy for me.

[MPREZIV]

After listening to my dad's stories about being out at sea during Vietnam, I think that's about the LAST thing I'd ever want to do with my life!

[knucklesplitter]

I haven't had cable for a few years now, and I don't miss it much. But I do miss the kewl stuff like this. And there is this awesome computer animated series called "Dogfights" on the Military Channel I caught a month or two ago. Nice recreations of famous plane battles. Would have loved all that when I was a kid.

[Dean]

Originally Posted by knucklesplitter

I haven't had cable for a few years now, and I don't miss it much. But I do miss the kewl stuff like this. And there is this awesome computer animated series called "Dogfights" on the Military Channel I caught a month or two ago. Nice recreations of famous plane battles. Would have loved all that when I was a kid.

Um, this is on PBS.... Channel 5 in Reno, etc...

[MikeK]

Originally Posted by knucklesplitter

I haven't had cable for a few years now, and I don't miss it much. But I do miss the kewl stuff like this. And there is this awesome computer animated series called "Dogfights" on the Military Channel I caught a month or two ago. Nice recreations of famous plane battles. Would have loved all that when I was a kid.

I enjoyed dogfights, I just wish they would cover some of the pilots and battles from some perspective other than american (or israeli). For example, the highest scoring ace in history was a german, with 352 kills, but there has been no mention of him yet. On the other hand, the quality of the animation has improved dramatically from the first season to the second.

After the success of "dogfights" the history started a new series called "battle 360" where they follow the USS enterprise through every battle it went through in WWII. It has been really interesting watching the transition from japanese dominance in numbers, skill and technology in 1942 through to the end of the war where the situation was totally reversed, and japan was basically using empty carriers as bait as a last resort.

[knucklesplitter]

Originally Posted by Dean

Um, this is on PBS.... Channel 5 in Reno, etc...

Okay, so I don't have rabbit-ear antennae either. Basically I don't watch TV much at all.

[sperry]

Originally Posted by MPREZIV

After listening to my dad's stories about being out at sea during Vietnam, I think that's about the LAST thing I'd ever want to do with my life!

Yer pops was in the Navy during Vietnam too? When/where? My dad was on a destroyer or two from around '62 to '65 IIRC.

[sperry]

Originally Posted by MikeK

I enjoyed dogfights, I just wish they would cover some of the pilots and battles from some perspective other than american (or israeli). For example, the highest scoring ace in history was a german, with 352 kills, but there has been no mention of him yet. On the other hand, the quality of the animation has improved dramatically from the first season to the second.

After the success of "dogfights" the history started a new series called "battle 360" where they follow the USS enterprise through every battle it went through in WWII. It has been really interesting watching the transition from japanese dominance in numbers, skill and technology in 1942 through to the end of the war where the situation was totally reversed, and japan was basically using empty carriers as bait as a last resort.

Also, didn't that guy we used to race with and work with at IGT (I forget his name now) leave to work on that show doing CGI?

[knucklesplitter]

Originally Posted by MikeK

I enjoyed dogfights, I just wish they would cover some of the pilots and battles from some perspective other than american (or israeli). For example, the highest scoring ace in history was a german, with 352 kills, but there has been no mention of him yet.

The day I saw these was some marathon or something and iirc there were 2 from the German perspective. One about a German jet pilot, and another about some crazy rocket-powered German fighter that landed (sometimes... if it made it) on it's belly without landing gear. Actually maybe it was the same show. I dunno...

...

[MPREZIV]

Originally Posted by sperry

Yer pops was in the Navy during Vietnam too? When/where? My dad was on a destroyer or two from around '62 to '65 IIRC.

He spent a short time on a destroyer, and most of his time on a helo-carrier. He was on the other end of the war tho, in the late 60's.

[sperry]

Originally Posted by knucklesplitter

The day I saw these was some marathon or something and iirc there were 2 from the German perspective. One about a German jet pilot, and another about some crazy rocket-powered German fighter that landed (sometimes... if it made it) on it's belly without landing gear. Actually maybe it was the same show. I dunno...

...

That's the Messerschmitt ME 163 Komet. More people died fueling that plane than enemies it killed. Also, they had that trolly axle they'd drop shortly after takeoff that tended to bounce on the ground and right back into the plane. But it was damn impressive the way it could take off straight up and fly right through incoming bomber formations with guns blazing.

[wrxkidid]

How did it not get destroyed landing with no gear? Dogfights does naval battles as well. Those are always interesting to see.

[moose]

Originally Posted by wrxkidid

How did it not get destroyed landing with no gear? Dogfights does naval battles as well. Those are always interesting to see.

It had a thicker armor on the bottom and it would land on grass instead concrete.

[Dean]

Originally Posted by wrxkidid

How did it not get destroyed landing with no gear? Dogfights does naval battles as well. Those are always interesting to see.

Hard wood belly skid. Kind of like a modern glider lands on a single mini wheel.

[wrxkidid]

I see. Makes sense now.

[Dean]

OK, that night pitching deck segment was awesome. The best part was watching the young guns making bets and talking smack on the last guy (the old man) and he just puts it on the deck on the first try. Reminds me of autocross.

[tysonK]

I turned off tonight after the religion stuff started.