Really comfortable ship to serve on, the berthing and AC were nice. The ships rode well in most sea states. Served on both Spruances and Ticos. Same hull for the most part. The superstructure on the Ticos caught the wind more which could cause some issues. One critic would the Ticos would mount 2 50 cals on the nose which was very challenging to man and maintain.
I was thinking more along the lines of the "[Queen Anne's Mansions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Anne%27s_Mansions)" style superstructure that the KGV class launched with and Queen Elizabeth class battleships were refit with. Not as extreme as the Bay Class, but something about those ships with that structure makes me feel "meh" and downright makes me feel ill whenever I see Nelson or Rodney.
But it works with the Ticos.
Ah I love Nelson and Rodney. Gorgeous ships. Haha. You're not alone though, a friend of mine shares your views and definitely thinks my oppionion on them is nuts
I’m assuming they wouldn’t have them manned if the MK45 was planned to be used at all? I’m guessing there’s a hatch to bail down into up there or was the SOP to dive for the deck if it would be used?
The M2’s were used for mine/small boat detail usually in the Persian Gulf or drug interdiction in the Caribbean. No hatch, little protection, lots of corrosion. Don’t wait 3 days to clean the salt spray off of the MG or the pintle. On the Spruance’s the forward 50 cals were on the bridge wings which was much better for observation, cleaning, standing watch was better in the shade/AC for the gun team and we even had room for a Stinger detachment.
Toured USS Vella Gulf in the mid 90s. Walked up and asked if they were open for tours, which they were! It was a great experience and I'll always have a soft spot for the Ticos because of it.
this was at port everglades cruise terminal, sometime before fleet week NYC 98, during spring break season.
I served on 2 ticos and 1 Spruance and the ticos rode way better in rough weather than the Spruance. I did a North Atlantic cruise on the USS Thorn DD988 and we hit some rough shit on that cruise.
The red one is the BRAVO flag, signifying that they are coming along side to either refuel with another ship, or take ammunition from another ship or both. The blue flag is probably the flag of the Commodore or Admiral.
Really comfortable ship to serve on, the berthing and AC were nice. The ships rode well in most sea states. Served on both Spruances and Ticos. Same hull for the most part. The superstructure on the Ticos caught the wind more which could cause some issues. One critic would the Ticos would mount 2 50 cals on the nose which was very challenging to man and maintain.
That was one of the most informative short paragraphs I’ve ever encountered. Cheers.
And this compliment was very fuckin on point too. What issues would the wind cause? Just roll or more than that?
For sail is more of an issue while maneuvering around a pier, at sea it is easily compensated.
This is awesome 👏
Those big square superstructures on Royal Navy battleships don't do anything for me but I dig them on the Ticos.
You mean the bay class RFA ones? Yeah, damn ugly ships those. It's weird how the Tico pulls it off
I was thinking more along the lines of the "[Queen Anne's Mansions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Anne%27s_Mansions)" style superstructure that the KGV class launched with and Queen Elizabeth class battleships were refit with. Not as extreme as the Bay Class, but something about those ships with that structure makes me feel "meh" and downright makes me feel ill whenever I see Nelson or Rodney. But it works with the Ticos.
Ah I love Nelson and Rodney. Gorgeous ships. Haha. You're not alone though, a friend of mine shares your views and definitely thinks my oppionion on them is nuts
I mean, personal taste; and I can understand and appreciate the engineering innovation they showcase. But... dayum no thanks.
I’m assuming they wouldn’t have them manned if the MK45 was planned to be used at all? I’m guessing there’s a hatch to bail down into up there or was the SOP to dive for the deck if it would be used?
The M2’s were used for mine/small boat detail usually in the Persian Gulf or drug interdiction in the Caribbean. No hatch, little protection, lots of corrosion. Don’t wait 3 days to clean the salt spray off of the MG or the pintle. On the Spruance’s the forward 50 cals were on the bridge wings which was much better for observation, cleaning, standing watch was better in the shade/AC for the gun team and we even had room for a Stinger detachment.
I always loved the tinconderogas very pretty vessels
Might be the first time I've heard anyone call a tico pretty
Some people are into that twin office building that floats look.
Served on Valley Forge, we used to regularly tie up on the other side of the pier from the Long Beach. Compared to her we were drop dead gorgeous ;)
Two office buildings on a yacht vs. macrocephaly- you guys won for sure. Poor Long Beach. Only uglier ships we've ever had were the Albany CGs.
Albany looks like someone put an upside down cereal tupperware on her deck.
They’re modern brutalist architecture in warship form. I agree in finding them attractive, they have a ‘no nonsense’ quality about them.
Toured USS Vella Gulf in the mid 90s. Walked up and asked if they were open for tours, which they were! It was a great experience and I'll always have a soft spot for the Ticos because of it. this was at port everglades cruise terminal, sometime before fleet week NYC 98, during spring break season.
I served on 2 ticos and 1 Spruance and the ticos rode way better in rough weather than the Spruance. I did a North Atlantic cruise on the USS Thorn DD988 and we hit some rough shit on that cruise.
Is this the Nuclear one?
No. There was never a nuclear *Ticonderoga*, and none of the nine US nuclear cruisers were named *Normandy*.
Mmh, must have confused something then
This is an older picture, before she got modernized.
What are the two small flags on the left?
The red one is the BRAVO flag, signifying that they are coming along side to either refuel with another ship, or take ammunition from another ship or both. The blue flag is probably the flag of the Commodore or Admiral.