Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - Naval Cruise Book

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WarBird Fly Off With the transit to Ha- waii complete, CARL VINSON was now prepared for the historic launch of the vintage warbirds. The coast of Waikiki provided the per- fect backdrop as launch prepa- ration began under morning skies, on August 29. Pilots for the WWII air- craft conducted preflight checks and warm-up of their engines as the Gold Eagle air department conducted final launching briefs and prepared VINSON ' S flight deck. The entire ship was elec- trified in anticipation of this historic event. In addition to the warbird pilots and crew members, hundreds of guests were flown aboard to witness this once-in-a-lifetime event. VADM Robert J. Spane, Commander. Naval Air Force Pacific and Captain Larry C. Baucom, commanding officer, provided brief opening com- ments before the command Pilots, man your planes was given. With that command, it was up, up and away into history. It ' s up, up and away for the B-2S Bomber Buck U as CARL VINSON begins a historic launch of WWII warbirds off the coast of Waikiki. Pilots undergo last minute checks prior to receiving order to launch. Vintage WWII aircraft impatiently awaits their turn for launch off CARL VINSON ' S flight deck. 16

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The Wildcat ' s engine powers up. A tow tractor pushes the l ' -6F into its launch position.