CV-6 "USS Enterprise" (1944)

Gooood morning, afternoon, or evening, my captains!

FINALLY, after who knows how long, I've managed to finish this beast from Uncle Sam. Now then, without further ado, and as always, let's take a look at its heroic journey :D

without planes version: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3737790451

The grey ghost

The USS Enterprise (CV-6), known to history as the legendary "Big E", was one of the most famous warships ever built and the most decorated American ship of World War II.

Commissioned on May 12th, 1938, Enterprise was the sixth aircraft carrier of the United States Navy and the second vessel to bear the name. As a Yorktown-class carrier, she represented the cutting edge of naval aviation and would soon prove the decisive value of aircraft carriers in modern warfare.

When Japan launched its surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941, Enterprise was returning from a mission delivering aircraft to Wake Island. Her aircraft arrived over Pearl Harbor during the attack and immediately entered combat, making Enterprise one of the first American units to engage Japanese forces in the Pacific War.

In the difficult months that followed, Enterprise became one of the few operational American carriers available to oppose Japanese expansion. She escorted raids against enemy-held islands and participated in the famous Doolittle Raid in April 1942, helping launch America's first strike against the Japanese homeland.

Just two months later, Enterprise played a decisive role in the Battle of Midway. Her air groups helped locate and destroy four Japanese fleet carriers—Akagi, Kaga, Soryu, and Hiryu—inflicting a catastrophic defeat on the Imperial Japanese Navy. Midway marked the turning point of the Pacific War, and Enterprise stood at the center of that historic victory.

Throughout the brutal Solomon Islands campaign, Enterprise repeatedly fought on the front lines. At the Battle of the Eastern Solomons and the Battle of Santa Cruz Islands, she faced intense enemy attacks and suffered significant damage. During several periods of the war, Enterprise was the only operational American fleet carrier in the Pacific, carrying much of the burden of the Allied naval offensive.

Her crew earned a reputation for resilience and determination. Japanese forces repeatedly claimed to have sunk Enterprise, only for the carrier to return to battle again and again. This earned her a near-mythical status among both friend and foe as the ship that refused to die.

As the war progressed, Enterprise participated in nearly every major American offensive across the Pacific. Her aircraft supported operations in the Gilbert Islands, Marshall Islands, Mariana Islands, Palau, the Philippines, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. During the Battle of the Philippine Sea in June 1944, often called the "Great Marianas Turkey Shoot," Enterprise's air groups helped destroy hundreds of Japanese aircraft and cripple Japan's remaining naval aviation forces.

Later that year, she took part in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, the largest naval battle in history. Enterprise aircraft attacked Japanese surface forces and contributed to the destruction of enemy ships attempting to halt the Allied liberation of the Philippines.

In 1945, Enterprise became one of the first carriers equipped for extensive night operations, forming a specialized night air group capable of striking enemy targets around the clock. She continued combat operations during the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa, where she endured kamikaze attacks that caused serious damage but failed to remove her permanently from service.

By the end of World War II, Enterprise had earned 20 Battle Stars and the Presidential Unit Citation, making her the most decorated American warship of the conflict. Her aircraft and crew had fought in nearly every major carrier battle of the Pacific Theater and helped secure victory against the Empire of Japan.

Following the war, Enterprise participated in Operation Magic Carpet, transporting thousands of American servicemen home. Despite numerous efforts by veterans and citizens to preserve her as a museum ship, insufficient funding led to her decommissioning and eventual scrapping in 1958.

Though the ship herself no longer exists, her legacy remains unmatched. The name Enterprise became synonymous with courage, endurance, and victory, inspiring future generations of American warships and earning a permanent place among the greatest warships ever to sail the seas.

Especifications

Length: 251 m Beam: 41.5 m Displacement: 32,000 tons Speed: 32.5 knots Aircraft Capacity: 90 aircraft Crew: 3,500+ personnel Armament: 8 × 127 mm, 40 × 40 mm Bofors, 50+ × 20 mm Oerlikon Service Period: 1938–1947 Battle Stars: 20

Controls

On the bridge, you will find the buttons that control the elevators and aircraft.

Aircraft Controls:

• Fold/Unfold Wings: "B"
• Detach Aircraft from the Ship: "H"
• Open Bomb Bay: "K"
• Release Bombs: (FA2)

Others things

This legendary beast of the Pacific was suggested a very long time ago—almost a year ago, in fact—by the user "USS Enterprise"... or well, he goes by many names.

And now, nearly a year after building my very first aircraft carrier, I can finally present what may be my final crown jewel

Well, I think that would be all!

Now, some of you may be wondering why it took me soooo long to finish this thing, and honestly, there were quite a few unexpected setbacks...

Originally, I was going to build the 1942 version, but since I had already built the Hellcat, I decided to switch to the 1943 version. That meant I had to modify the ship model I already had. Then, I lost the reference model I was using and had to find another version of the ship...

So I ended up choosing the 1944 version, which meant I had to modify the model all over again. On top of that, I was also working on another project at the same time, and blah blah blah...

So yeah, that's why it took me so long. I know, I should probably organize myself better next time... if there even is a next time.

And that's the thing, my friends. I plan for this to be my final crown jewel. To be honest, all of this has been pretty exhausting, and I just don't have as much time—or the same spark for this

So I hope I can go out on a high note with this one.

It has truly been an honor to sail this journey alongside all of you. But let me warn you: this is not a farewell forever!

And now, once and for all, I wish you fair winds and good luck on these busy seas! :D