The USS Intrepid (CV-11) - Modifications
MODIFICATIONS : Being among the first ships of the class to complete, Intrepid followed closely the original design, from which later units were to vary in several details. Foremost among these was the bridge design, which in the first eight ships of the class included two Bofors mountings extended forward in the later units of the class to provide positions for two instead of one Bofors mountings on the forecastle. Subsequently the early units had their bridge modified to the new standard but the bow, involving a major structural change, remained unaltered. It is worth mentioning that the long bow units also had shorter flight decks, these being reduced by 11' forward and 7' aft to give the bow and stern Bofors mountings clear arcs of fire. Overall length was of course increased (to 888') due to the increased overhang of the long bow and the stern sponson, whereas in the earlier units overall length was virtually the length of the flight deck including ramps and the slight extension of gun sponsons at the stern.
In Detail Intrepid was modified as follows:
As Commissioned: (a) carried 55-20mm Oerlikons, an additional 7 being accommodated in the platforms around the flight deck (by reducing the spacing between mountings) and 2 more on the starboard side of the main deck aft, as compared with previously completed units. In addition the 4-20mm accommodated at the after end of the flight deck in earlier ships were moved to the starboard quarter of the flight deck. (b) carried 1-40mm mountings, 2 additional mountings being fitted on the starboard side of the main deck aft. (c) carried 4, instead of 5, as in earlier units, wireless masts along starboard side of flight deck - this being standard in later ships. (d) carried one flight deck catapult and one double hangar deck catapult (fitted only in Yorktown, Intrepid, Hornet, Bunker Hill, Wasp and Franklin). (e) fitted with SK radar antenna on masthead platform, SG radar antennas on topmast platform and at the head of a pole mast on port side of funnel, and SC radar antenna on starboard side of funnel.
November 1943: Two additional 20mm Mountings fitted on starboard side of bridge.SK antenna moved to starboard side of funnel, SC to pole mast on port side of funnel (SG in this position removed, presumably due to shortage as alternative position was available on the short pole mast at the rear of the funnel top). SM radar antenna fitted on masthead platform. Later, possibly at Pearl Harbor, the pole mast on the stack was increased in height and a YJ antenna fitted at its top.
March-June 1944 (refit at San Francisco): Forward 40mm mounting on bridge removed and bridge enlarged to occupy space made available. Three 40mm mountings added on starboard side below bridge, 2 0n port side abreast flight deck and 2 on the port side of the hangar deck catapult sponson which was enlarged for the purpose. Mk 51 directors fitted for all new 40mm mountings. Hangar deck catapult removed and second flight deck catapult fitted on starboard side. Masthead platform extended aft to accommodate SK antenna and SC antenna moved to starboard side of funnel. Pole mast on port side of funnel replace by IFF antenna bracket. YE antenna moved from abaft to forward of topmast platform to clear SK antenna. New pole mast with enlarged platform fitted at rear of funnel to carry second SG antenna and YJ antenna (latter subsequently removed). Windscreen added to screen forward of pilot house.
June-August 1944 (additional modifications at Pearl Harbor): Foremost starboard quarter 40mm mounting on main deck moved outboard to improve arc of fire. Upper signal yard added to topmast. Wind deflector fitted to screen around front of communication platform.
January-February 1945 (refit at San Francisco): Single 40mm mounting at stern replaced by two on extended sponson. Mk 4 radar for Mk 37 directors replaced by Mk 12/22. After starboard quarter 40mm mounting moved outboard to improve arc of fire.
May-July 1945 (refit at San Francisco): 19 single 20mm mountings replaced by twin 20mm mountings.
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