How Hard is it to FLY off the USS Lexington?

[@davenehilla9610]

Yup, I recall my first Carrier landings in 1980 out in the gulf, flying the T-2B Buckeye out of NAS Beeville, TX were on the LEX. A mighty small deck indeed, as later Carriers would make readily apparent! Luckily, we didn’t know any better 😂

[@spartan3299]

Thank you for your Service!

[@lukemccoy7967]

My Grandfather was a Navy pilot for 25 years serving in the Vietnam War and then coming home to serve as a flight instructor. He spent many years flying off the USS Lexington out of Corpus Christi teaching the next generation of pilots in our navy. I believe he flew the T-2 Buckeye and T-28 Trojan off the Lexington (That's why I'm wishing for a T-28 for Christmas lol). He was the main reason I became obsessed with planes and aviation. He passed back in 2022, but I know he would've loved to see this video. I also would've loved to hear his commentary when he stopped the video every 10 seconds to point something out within the ship or share a memory.

[@TexasKid747]

Josh, I was fortunate enough to be able to take the tour of the LEX last April. I walked where y'all flew, and where countless airmen and crew lived and worked over the decades since WWII. At your event, please take the time to educate any and all participants on the sacrifices given for our Freedom aboard this ship. This is History in the first degree. and of the utmost importance. Cheers from North Texas.

[@Donkey550]

I have a little history with the Lexington. My father in-law landed on the carrier. I had my winging ceremony there. My boys and I stayed overnight on the Lexington for a scouting event. One of the planes I flew in the navy is on display and I got pictures of my twins in the plane I flew during training. Love that museum.

[@PokecraftGD]

I’ve slept on the Lexington for a Boy Scout trip and it was awesome

[@PokecraftGD]

And super windy

[@jimpollard9392]

I don't need to fly off the Lex, because I already did. 1982.

[@Thunderbyrd.]

!!!!!!!!!!!! What plane did you fly?

[@jimpollard9392]

@@Thunderbyrd. I carrier qualified on Lex as part of my training as a naval aviator. So I landed on Lex (in the Gulf of Mexico) in a T-2 Buckeye in the intermediate jet phase, and then again in a TA-4J Skyhawk in the advanced phase. Went on to fly S-3A Vikings...they didn't land those on Lex.

[@EDCandLace]

You was an s3 pilot! I loved how those turbo fans sounded. Unmistakable sound when a S3 flew over.

[@KYMarty]

Served on the Lex in 1983 here. It was good to see the old ship.

[@DIYNauticalDream]

Thank you for your service. I bet that was an amazing experience.

[@matthewblomstrom4190]

The Lex existed as two carriers, the first was its own class, along with her sister, Saratoga. It was sunk at the Battle of Coral Sea. The Lex in Corpus today is the Essex class Lex. She and a lot of other carriers were so good, we built them twice

[@tankergojirava6785]

Yorktown represent!

[@cludecat7072]

further info On Uss Lexington CV-2 and the chief naval inspector + son: originally planned to be a class of battle cruisers, the two under construction were converted to aircraft carriers to comply with the Washington naval treaty. the Chief naval Inspector at the Foreriver shipyard in Quincey Massachusetts, one Captain Louis Shane Sr. was so meticulous with his inspections that it his considered due to him that Lady Lex was so well functioning Unlike her sister ship Saratoga who was constantly breaking down. it is said by many colleagues that Louis Sr. would have made admiral if he hadn't been of Jewish decent. he was also a massive advocate and defender of German Americans during WW1. his son Lieutenant commander Louis Shane Jr. was stationed on Lexington as a lieutenant right up until mid summer when he was promoted and given command of porpoise class submarine USS Shark (p-3) SS-174. The shark was sunk in February 1942 with all hands. despite her short wartime service Shark has the distinction of being the first submarine to be the flagship of the Asiatic Fleet when she ferried former classmate of Louis Sr. and future Connecticut Senator Thomas C. Hart off Manila. Louis Sr. had passed on December 15 1941 and it is unknown whether the son knew about his fathers death. this is an article written on Louis Shane Sr. and Jr. www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/278728-two-months-and-two-generations-to-eternity-the-shanes-the-shark-ss-174-and-a-sampson/

[@dreamin47_]

When my son as a Cub Scout we spent the weekend on board back in 2000 it was an amazing trip slightly small bunks if your 6ft or more. But well worth it, for the history and respect.

[@nathanielmoore87]

The first aircraft to be launched off of "Lady Lex" in over 30 years and you guys are the ones behind the stick. Congrats!! Btw, I hope you got some good rest onboard. Did they give you a stateroom or stick you in crew berthing?? Speaking from 3 yrs experience, I know the racks aren't all that spacious or comfy, but underway after a long watch, there's no sleep like sea sleep. The berthing red lights, the sounds of the engines, props, sonar, and water going past the hull, the gentle rocking motion, the occasional 1MC announcement and people coming and going creates an atmosphere I can't even begin to describe.

[@johnboleyjr.1698]

As a Navy Veteran, from Texas, I love everything about this.

[@spartan3299]

Thank you for your Service!

[@onething247]

My uncle was a Commander on the Lex in the sixties!

[@jfruser]

Son's cub scout pack did an overnight on the Lex some years back. Great expereience and great folks running the Lex. I reccomend this sort of experence to all who have not yet done so.

[@ralphbronzin9721]

This is the sequel to the helicarrier episode that we've all been waiting for

[@strat1960s]

Got family in Corpus. Been to the Blue Ghost a few times. Never thought to fly there though. Corpus was home to one of the best RC helicopter shops and I'd make that trip as often as I could. Thank you for sharing this.

[@Species5008]

Um...the Grey Ghost was but one of the nicknames for the USS Enterprise, CV6.

[@strat1960s]

you are correct. The Lexington is sometimes called the blue ghost. Not sure where I got "Grey" from@@Species5008

[@air-headedaviator1805]

This could be a second chance to enjoy a Flite Fest Texas esk event! I’d be so in.

[@spartan3299]

Yes! And a Naval air station there as well! Coast Guard too.

[@charlesschneider7079]

I've actually toured the "Lex" in Corpus Christie and loved it. I've been thinking about going back and seeing what they've done since I was last there.

[@PurpleDuck47]

Same, went last year (At the time I wrote this)

[@MonTexanFPV]

ive visited that carrier so many time when i was growning up. it was only an hour from my parents house. sooo cool that yall are flying off the deck.

[@stevenjohnson6962]

Fun idea. I toured the uss Wisconsin in Virginia back in April. Its not an air craft carrier but a battleship. Very fun to see these old ships turned into a museum

[@tonykummerow5513]

My father served aboard that same ship from June 1977 until February 1979

[@fooman2108]

My dad (47 years as a USN carrier pilot) had traps and was nearly Commander of Lexington. My brother (27 years USN) also a few traps aboard, before going going fly helos.

[@LCAviator26]

Oh my god! An event like that would be bucket list! Yes, let’s make this happen. I will drive down and bring a Blue Angel F18 to fly of the deck! Let’s do it!

[@crashalexander7232]

125 IN WING CORSAIR WITH A 250 CC MOKI ..LOL BBBBRRRRAAAAAPPPPPPPPPPP ..!!

[@tamuct01]

Our Trail Life Troop will be staying the night in Dec. with their overnight program. I've done it once before and the folks at the Lexington do a wonderful job. I'm looking forward to what you guys have planned. Count us in!

[@borgonianevolution]

This is cool to see. Such a huge piece of our history in that ship. If you think that was cool try living on an active carrier for over 2 and a half years like I did on the Nimitz! Action and motion 24/7 with so many hazards and dangers at every turn as you move about the ship. No walking around in a self absorbed daze looking at a cell phone like so many people do these days.

[@spartan3299]

That life lesson is one that should be shared! Could save a life! Thank you for your Service!

[@MCsCreations]

Fantastic, guys!!! 😃 Thanks a bunch for sharing!!! Stay safe there with your families! 🖖😊

[@ghostrunner2138]

I remember doing a trip there in Civil Air patrol where we stayed overnight it was really cool.

[@michael.killian4201]

Great video Josh! And what an awesome opportunity. Going to get in touch with Bill ( the store guy in the basement) to see if we should add this to our bucket list. Thanks for sharing, you guys are the best!

[@Mariner311]

Went through Pensacola in 1987 for Naval Aircrewman and Aviation Rescue Swimmer schools - the Lex was a THREAT to us students - if we failed, we would be assigned as non-rate sailors to chip paint. So was WONDERFUL right after graduation to go out to LEX in an SH-3 Sea King to do some SAR Duty... then off to Tennessee for AW A-School as ASW Crewmen.

[@walk4718]

Guys!!! You came to my town!!! I would love to be a part of the event. We have a small RC club here and I’m sure there will be interest.

[@spartan3299]

What is your club?

[@walk4718]

Gulf Coast Gulls RC Group

[@motionsic]

Flying off the Lex and more impressively landing back on it in a scale FPV navy warbird would be incredible! I would love it!

[@spartan3299]

That the Navy Blackhawk, and The Grumman C-2 Greyhound

[@beyond_civilization]

Welcome to Texas! 🤠👍

[@Donuts_random_stuff]

I wish I could come to Texas, to me it seems like the best place on earth

[@matthew2000tx]

I'm in San Antonio and just saw this. I toured the Lex with my child when he was 2 and in a kid carrier backpacks pack.

[@OpaFPV]

I'm up to help with the Tiny Whoop races below decks! DaveM Great episode! Also very smart to use the ability of 3D printing to design a light and super strong (and cheap!) spar for the Scout XL!

[@MrBayoublue]

This is pretty cool i just got back from corpus christi and went on the lexington. Awesome ship. Awesome people.

[@e7yu]

I have been on the USS Lexington. She is an amazing ship. 😆 ❤

[@spartan3299]

USS Lexington event What a great idea. RC modeling , aviation , STEM programs, Aerospace, the Armed services, engineering, manufacturing, history, museums and all those who might be inspired by being engaged, I believe would be a natural fit. Flying off the LEX is one really exciting experience, but heck, I just would like to volunteer at this or other similar events and or programs! Creative people, dream it, promote it, and help make it happen!

[@billdeeks862]

A event like that would so cool!

[@bradymorris9074]

The Lexington is great! Do the overnight if you get the chance! Our Scout Troop is headed down to do it again in January.

[@accordlxr]

I live in corpus and see the lex almost everyday day. Awesome stuff

[@rogerhorky7258]

first air operations from the Lexington in 30-some years. i imagine

[@spartan3299]

Hopefully not the last either!

[@jameswebb2856]

I would love to fly my Turbo Timber off the Lexington. I live in Southeast Texas (Bridge City) and could easily drive to the Lexington. Several years ago while on an overnight with the airlines I got to tour the Lexington.

[@robertojames7904]

I made my initial carrier qualifications on the Lex back in 1965; two touch and go's and four traps in the T-2A single engine jet trainer, if I remember correctly. By the way, it was not "scary". Why? Navy training.

[@spartan3299]

Thank you for your Service!

[@Legoarmy18]

Dude, I slept on those barracks with trails life when I went to the Lexington

[@jjecarte]

Funny thing I have landed and launched from the Lexington in a C-1 Cod a few times.

[@spartan3299]

Same as the C2 I guess? Thank you for your Service!

[@jjecarte]

Smaller

[@michaeljohnson1055]

Great Idea.... thankfully I live in San Antonio and will be able to attend the event when it happens.

[@terrallputnam7979]

Speaking of Corpus Christi, that's where I bought my Ercoupe. It served as a spotter plane for the Coast Guard Reserve. I was fortunate to buy it.

[@RandomAussie-dx9fj]

Now imagine doing this in a real plane, and you get the idea how scary it was for pilots.

[@petahatz]

it was not so bad it was rly ez they still had catapults just look at the first ones

[@davenehilla9610]

@@petahatz Oh, so you have hundreds of Carrier landings, do you? “rly ez” huh? Hahahahaha……

[@RandomAussie-dx9fj]

@@petahatz I mean landing

[@RandomAussie-dx9fj]

@@petahatz And most carriers didn't have catapults until late WWII

[@DiscoverexplorerS]

Super cool! Glad you guys are getting to do these fun and odd trips.

[@MichaelHernandez-rp1ny]

I was there on a field trip Before you guys Came We actually spent 3 days on the ship. That's what we saw. On the video, the planes and the jets.

[@SkylarB39]

i remember i stayed two days to 4 days on that carrier when i was in trail life man it was fun

[@wesleyshirley326]

I remember taking a tour of her in the 80's before she was decommissioned out at NAS Pensacola.

[@CaptainJohn]

I live in Houston and would be so down for this event!!!

[@spartan3299]

Me too, where do you fly? I fly at GulfCoast RC

[@CaptainJohn]

@@spartan3299 I just fly at parks and schools mostly, but I’m 20 minutes from Jetero

[@dustinhiett9594]

I seem to be missing the link to leave feedback on my interest in an event on the Blue Ghost.?

[@jaydacoyote7068]

I spent a night in that ship when I was in elementary field trip it was a alot of fun!

[@josephdecesaro1528]

I know I a bit late but I run a robotics club for a middle school in Corpus Christi. We participate in First Tech Challenge(FTC) and are part of the their Gulf Coast League (the greater Corpus Christi area) which is about 30 teams. Some of the schools here have underwater robotics, drones and a few do First Robotic Challenge(FRC) too. So I am sure you could get a good size group here. If I had known you guys were in town I would have tried to get you guys to talk to my club. My father still runs a scout troop here too so getting the local troops involved would not be hard either. My team is 11924 Zero Ohms.

[@thedoctor4637]

I hate to break it to y’all, y’all are the second to fly an RC Airplane of a carrier, Dude Perfect’s Cory Cotton flew an F-16 model off the USS Nimitz during their Aircraft Carrier Bucket list.

[@spartan3299]

Quick, delete this post...hehe

[@jonthecomposer]

Just a note: the song that starts at 8:00 are the same chords in the song "It's a Beautiful Day" by U2 in case anyone thought it sounded a bit familiar, but couldn't quite place it :)

[@freemansfocus]

Y'all were in my hometown! It would be awesome to fly off the Lex!

[@RyanQuellet]

I'd love to see if a drone racing event could work there. Sign me up!

[@spartan3299]

Demo of some better multi-path solution.

[@williamlayton5502]

I live there so lmk when this events is goin down I’ll be there for sure

[@jameshollan935]

That's crazy yall came down to the area where I live and were able to fly off the Lexington wish i could have met yall. Ive been subscribed for a while and just started 3d printing and building my own planes. Scared to fly them because I dont wanna smash all the work put in to building them. 😂

[@TheIronBrook]

I saw the blue angels in the background I’ve seen their shows many many times their Amazing

[@walk4718]

In 2000, during filming the movie “Pearl Harbor” they actually took off the deck in a B-25. That was really something to behold. 😳

[@aerospacematt]

Josh Bixler aircraft carrier lifetime stats: 2 Cats. 2 traps. 1st trap grade: ok 3 wire. 2nd trap grade: fair 4 wire.

[@spartan3299]

I really like the Scout XL...but I would love to see you folks rendition of The Grumman C-2 Greyhound! And I'm an old UH1 D Army flight medic.

[@kitttaylor8757]

I live in Texas, been to the Lexington an few time that wuld be a great event to do

[@AL-RCjunkie]

Flying off a carrier would be pretty dope 👍

[@landonstorey9270]

I love seeing this... I'm originally from Corpus Christi...

[@GaragebandandBeyond]

Where is the link to show our interest in going to an event at the carrier?

[@aaindtharivalan8720]

Cool 👍👍

[@keithhawtin4396]

What a brilliant Idea

[@zbeen-ah-lah]

I barely remember going there but I do remember that f14a being in VF-84 colors

[@leonelnarvaez5862]

Next time you need to ship a box for the Lexington event let me know, I’m 15 min from the carrier

[@gravitypronepart2201]

You should make a carrier, and land plains with a tail hook. That would be impressive. And I mean an actual floating steerable powered carrier.

[@Mia_the_Mcdonalds_FrenchFry]

OMG I REMEMBER WATCHING YOU WHEN I WAS 5!!!

[@hyenalingo]

I slept in those beds in boyscouts! It was so much fun :)

[@markeggert2163]

I live about 35 miles northwest from the Lexington in Mathis Texas. I sure hope you are successful in arranging your event ... I'd like to see more interest in RC and FPV flying down here, plus I think my grandson would like to participate.

[@jeboin1977]

Well i guess you had the most EPIC takeoff and landing spot for a RC airplane EVER. Bucket list item CHECK.

[@josiahhill4993]

Hey, welcome to my city. Sorry we missed you.

[@josiahhill4993]

sorry the weather wasn't the best

[@EatSleepDroneRepeat]

Wish I'd known you guys were going to be down here!

[@xxandrew7485]

I went to the uss Lexington as a boy scout when I was 10

[@billdeeks862]

Omg that’s crazy!

[@propsoff]

🤣 He said at least you have an audience if you fail - man Josh, who needs enemies having friends like that, LOL.. Cool stuff guys! Enjoy the Breeze...👍🏻🍻👊🏻

[@mdmonkar3851]

Love from 🇧🇩🇧🇩🇧🇩

[@markwilliams6200]

I am very interested in joining you guys for this proposed event. I live in Port Aransas just 30 minutes away from the Lexington. I've never owned or flown an RV plane and would love to start.

[@jamisonescamilla1781]

welcome to Corpus 😊

[@texasreaper3580]

Well I live in rockport texas and I would love to fly off the Lexington

[@ts4512]

What an amazing video!

[@blacksheepmatrix]

local to the area, and would definitely attend an event at the USS Lexington. (no link to show interest in the event that i can find though)

[@JennaCee]

That is super cool.

[@Ellexis]

Wish I knew y’all were here in Corpus Christi. We could’ve gone flying in my Beechcraft Bonanza.

[@JS-vk7ek]

Airtag in the box next time boys.

[@frankevega]

I live close to Lex. I would love to fly a rc off the deck.

[@ulrikhansen7940]

So cooooool. Now build a carrier in your pond.....

[@The_Liberator296]

Welcome to Texas

[@monicavellos1418]

Remember me, axel the one you gave me the plane. Anyway I’m ten years old now 🥳😆

[@backyardmechs2839]

First time done and the plane picked was a scout, such a shame it wasent a warbird

[@archiescriven6178]

If this yours, you might get a way with doing the same thing of the fantail of one of the battleships.

[@SongbirdFPV]

I would LOVE to bring a FPV Jet

[@The_Official_Meme_Basement]

Great vid but you should try making a flying pterodactyl

[@joshuabessire9169]

And a rocket that launches if you lose a game of tic-tac-toe.

[@HaznieModelAviator]

Mayn this is epic.. 👏😍👏