Midway-Class Aircraft Carriers 1945-92

48 pages

Dr James Bosbotinis

The Midway-class aircraft carriers, designed, developed and beginning construction during the Second World War, were notable: they were the largest carriers built up to that point, until surpassed by the Forrestal-class in the 1950s, and the first to deploy nuclear weapons at sea. In addition, the ships had long and distinguished careers, with the Midway in service from 1945 to 1992, and seeing action in Vietnam and the Gulf War.

In this short (48 pages) book, the author, Mark Stille, a former US Navy officer and prolific naval history writer with a particular focus on the Pacific in the Second World War, provides a concise, yet detailed overview of the design and development of the ships, their respective machinery, radar, protection and aircraft facilities, modernisation programmes, and evolving air-group. This is followed by discussion of the respective operational histories of the Midway, Franklin D Roosevelt and Coral Sea.

The author provides a detailed, yet engaging and accessible account of the Midway-class, and particularly how the ships evolved to meet the shifting strategic landscape and technologies from the mid-1940s through to the latter stages of the Cold War. Stille makes the point that the ships were “large enough to accept significant modernization”, reflected by the fact that the carriers embarked all carrier-borne types operated by the US Navy, except for the F-14 Tomcat and S-3 Viking.

The book features an excellent selection of photographs, artwork and useful tables, summarising the technical details of the ships, the evolving radar fit, and gun armament. It concludes with a final, brief analysis of the ships, and also features a short select bibliography. There are only a few minor typos, including on page 5 misdating the Gulf War to 1990, and on page 31, stating that four USN carriers served in Operation DESERT STORM, whereas in fact, six saw service. They do not however detract from the overall quality of the book. Whilst this reviewer is admittedly a ‘carrier nerd’, Midway-class Aircraft Carriers 1945-92 would appeal to those with an interest in US Navy history, those with an interest in aircraft carriers, or those simply wanting a history of a class of notable warship. Recommended.