Aircraft Carriers - Writers Forum

Shinn · 09-11-2007, 04:47 PM

Hi guys.

I've started to write my very first action story, "The Hornet's Nest", about a US Navy F/A-18 squadron, during the fictional First and Second Israeli Wars during 2006/07. I'm okay with the characters, locations and planes, but I'm stuck on how to describe an aircraft carrier, from the POV of a pilot.

Any help is appreciated.

~ Shinn

Jeff Colburn · 09-12-2007, 01:46 AM

Do some research into the flight deck, briefing room, mess hall and aircraft maintenance area. From what I know, that would be the main areas that pilots would be concerned with.

Have Fun,
Jeff

Shinn · 09-12-2007, 02:30 AM

Hi Jeff.

Would you know of any websites I could find about aircraft carriers?

Thanks mate.

~ Shinn

IKilledCockRobin · 09-12-2007, 04:28 AM

Wikipedia...

Mike C · 09-12-2007, 06:34 AM

AllI know from the pilot's POV is when you're standing on one, they look HUGE. When you're trying to land on one, they look tiny!

Shinn · 09-12-2007, 05:54 PM

Hi Mike!

Thanks for your input! I wonder if I am allowed to have a bit of "Top Gun", i.e. basic and advanced flight training, in my story?

Thanks.

~ Shinn

Jeff Colburn · 09-12-2007, 06:18 PM

Google Aircraft Carrier and you'll get 2,780,000 links.

Have Fun,
Jeff

Shinn · 09-12-2007, 06:39 PM

Wow!

Thanks Jeff. I'll try that now.

~ Shinn

mammamaia · 09-17-2007, 08:01 PM

it's your story, so you're 'allowed' to have whatever you want to put there...

lin · 09-17-2007, 08:28 PM

O fcourse if you put anything really wrong in it you look stupid and telling them you were allowed doesn't help.

What I would google for, if I were you, are sites that Tom Clancy fan naval ordinance freaks frequent...and sites for pilots and sailors themselves.

Also, take a look at Navy newspapers on line, look for links.

Shinn · 09-17-2007, 08:31 PM

Thanks Lin

I will certainly do that, and I will try to have the first chapter of "The Hornet's Nest" up during the school holidays.

~ Shinn

lin · 09-18-2007, 02:17 PM

Come to think of it, here are a few I ran into in my San Diego days...

Navy Dispatch :: Newspaper

Asia Pacific Defense Forum :: 2nd Quarter 2007

The Navy Cafe | Navy Forum

Shinn · 09-18-2007, 04:02 PM

Thanks Lin.

Were you ever in the US Navy?

~ Shinn

lin · 09-19-2007, 02:55 AM

God no! I was in the army. No nattering around with yachtsmen for me.
In SD, though, you have a hard time avoiding navy consciousness. I lived across the street from the largest naval base in the world. (After spending much of my youth on the largest army base in the world...I wonder it that might be a factor in my becoming a violent asshole?)

The navy permeates the town in odd ways. I was trying to date a cute Asian bartender, but lost out to a F-16 pilot. I frequented a place full of SEALS, and another full of sexy Philipina "fleet widows". A carrier goes out and suddenly there is a recession in certain segments of the rental market.

My brother served on the Kitty Hawk for about 8 months, culminating it the disabling crash/fire that put it in the Bremerton yards for a year or so. (He claims it wasn't his fault, but I'd belive it)

It's an amazing community, a floating city in isolation. You should visit a carrier if you can.

You really want a screwball community of pyschos, check out submarine crews.

Shinn · 09-19-2007, 03:26 AM

Hey Lin

Thanks for your amusing story. So, what rank were you? And what branch of the army were you in?? I was thinking of putting in that the flyboys from the Test & Evaluation Squadron on the USS Robert E. Nest get into a fight with a bunch of sailors from another aircraft carrier docked in San Diego. Lin, would it be normal for flyers from an aircraft carrier to get into a brawl with sailors?

Thanks.

~ Shinn