Woke up this morning and something told me to take look at my father's old navy books. Come to find out he was on the USS- Ranger CV-61 1961-62. My father was 18 years old at the time. Watching this video gives me goose bumps. Thanks for taking the time to make this great video I greatly appreciate it. RIP Arthur R. Wickersham US Navy (1944-1978)
I was on the Ranger from January 1969 till Dec 1971. I was in communications, CR division. You walked right by main communications on your walk to front of the ship on Tour #3. You walked right through our berthing area. Wish you would have gone inside main communications. Thanks for the tour. But for your tour, I would have nothing but memories because they are going to scrap her. Ashley Burleson
John has another video called Dirty Tour USS Ranger #3 that he actually goes into Radio #1 but misidentifies FACCON as "forward air control" in case you are interested.
@5:00 that is their history patch, just showing bi-planes because that was their FIRST plane the squadron used many years ago, WAY before the Ranger. Great set of videos you made, a treasure, loved the tour!
I did well over 4 years aboard the Ranger. In tour #3, right at 3 minutes, John passes through a passageway at the top of the forward escalator... that passageway was my hell for all 4 and half years. I was a communications electronics tech... my shop was shop one, John goes into it briefly... a lot of hazing took place in that shop! I personally visited the deep sink many times... and duct tape. John also goes forward in the ship where our berthing area was... he actually walked right through it. My introduction to the Ranger was a ride in a COD from Yokohama Japan in the spring of 1987. We caught a wire and landed safely. I never experienced a launch. I worked a lot in transmitter rooms one and two on the starboard side, one was just forward of the island, the other aft. I also did a lot of work in the O-11 level up above the bridge. My work was mostly on Link-11 data systems. I could go on and right a book and it would be anything but boring! But I suppose this is not the right time or place.
The forecastle is were the anchor chains are stored, the Minutemen crest and on the deck the words "The Top Gun of the Pacific" and the gym, also in the forward bow area.
I lived aft on the 03 level, V-1 Berthing, wish you could have shown that, had some nice are work on the berthing lounge wall, that we painted. The escalator was cool too, use to slide down it and hope to not get caught lol
Not to nit pick, but this space is Secondary Control, or to us...... Sec Conn, ........Aux Conn is the structure off the superstructure. My GQ Station...SecConn...1JV Quartermaster........had the misfortune to experience GQ for real several times.....and verbal traffic can be stressful......but very educational........
I was there on the Jan 18th and I never felt worse about anything in my entire life it might very well be the first time I experienced failure. I didnt take it well. I didnt take it poorly either, but it sucked. Until the battle of Mogadishu, its a good thing I wasnt in charge or that city would have been turned back into sand.
I remember the escalator! I seem to recall it ran from the Mess Deck up a couple decks to the O3 level (which was the deck where most of the air wing's O-level maintenance personnel were berthed. I think my berthing compartment for the cruise was O3-244-1L, although I was berthed in three or four other compartments during the work-ups and carrier quals.
And...Sec Conn was where Charts and Publications were Stored and Maintained, and updated by Navigation Personal, and the only Port Holes on a US Navy Aircraft Carrier....I took some great photos of planes loaded w/bombs and missiles being launched to N,Vietnam (Yankee Station) from these Port Holes. (if you like looking up afterburner f-4s.....) (Sorry)
I walked past this ship for years before she was towed out. I always wondered what those portholes were for on the bow. Axillary con! Mystery solved thanks to your video. I can still see some of the ships from this video from my office. How did you get on-board? Are you working for NAVSEA... which I can also see from my office? ;)
Great videos!!! Does anyone know where the Commanders beautiful wood paneled office was that is seen in Top Gun? The office where Cougar turns in his wings.
I think all ships should have an open house before scrapping. Unless you serve you don’t know what a big part of your life it is. How did this guy get in this ship??????
I did well over 4 years aboard the Ranger. In tour #3, right at 3 minutes, John passes through a passageway at the top of the forward escalator... that passageway was my hell for all 4 and half years. I was a communications electronics tech... my shop was shop one, John goes into it briefly... a lot of hazing took place in that shop! I personally visited the deep sink many times... and duct tape. John also goes forward in the ship where our berthing area was... he actually walked right through it. My introduction to the Ranger was a ride in a COD from Yokohama Japan in the spring of 1987. We caught a wire and landed safely. I never experienced a launch. I worked a lot in transmitter rooms one and two on the starboard side, one was just forward of the island, the other aft. I also did a lot of work in the O-11 level up above the bridge. My work was mostly on Link-11 data systems. I could go on and right a book and it would be anything but boring! But I suppose this is not the right time or place.
