CV-4 was named after "famous ships of the past" that had borne the name Ranger.

The first American Ranger was an 18-gun Continental Navy sloop, launched on 10 May 1777 by James K. Hackett, master shipbuilder, at Portsmouth, NH. Captain John Paul Jones in command.

NS020457: Ranger vs. HMS Drake, 24 April 1778. Ranger captures the British sloop-of-war Drake, 20, Commander George Burdon, in an hour's action off Carrickfergus, Ireland.

Previous Rangers:

1. A Continental Navy sloop.
2. An armed schooner.
3. A brigantine.
4. A steam-powered gunboat.
5. A steel-hulled patrol yacht.
6. A wooden patrol craft.
7. A canceled battle cruiser, originally named Lexington.
8. A canceled battle cruiser, renamed Constitution.

"Engagement off Carrickfergus, Ireland, 24 April 1778. ('USS Ranger versus HMS Drake,' Arthur N. Disney, Sr., Navy Art Collection)."

From U.S. Navy: A Complete History, Naval Historical Foundation, 2003.

"Mural depicting the continental sloop Ranger receiving the salute of the French fleet at Quiberon Bay. ('First Foreign Salute to the Stars and Stripes, 14 February 1778.' Howard B. French, U.S. Naval Academy)."

From U.S. Navy: A Complete History, Naval Historical Foundation, 2003.

Ranger (CV-4) as she goes down the slipway, Saturday, 25 February 1933.

Ranger (CV-4) launching, at the Newport News Ship Building and Dry Dock Company, Newport News, Virginia, 25 February 1933.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (# 80-G-1007392).

USS Ranger (CV-4). Photo dated 6 June 1934, two days after commissioning.

Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company photo, # DCS08-827-6.

USS Ranger (CV-4) as built. BuAer photo # 165614.

USS Ranger underway in the 1930s, showing the arrangement of her six funnels and three lifts, two of the latter amidships, close together to one side of the flight deck centerline and the third at the aft end of the flight deck. Note the large number of ship's boats, but still no directors atop the island. Initially there were only four 5" guns in the mounts to the sides of the flight deck; two more guns were mounted on the forecastle and two on the hangar deck right aft, an arrangement which proved less than ideal in high seas. Official US Navy photo.

USS Ranger (CV-4) dockside, date and location unknown.

USS Ranger (CV-4), 1934. Note that she still has two 5" guns mounted on the forecastle.

USS Ranger (CV-4) at anchor. Date/place unknown. The first ship of the U.S. Navy designed and constructed as an aircraft carrier, she was commissioned at the Norfolk Navy Yard, CAPT Arthur L. Bristol, commanding.

(Photo # 1150524).

The aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CV-4) underway, date and location unknown.

USS Ranger (CV-4) prewar, exact date and location unknown.

Aerial view of Naval Air Station North Island showing USS Langley (AV-3) moored forward of USS Ranger (CV-4) at the Air Station pier, circa 1930s.

San Diego Air and Space Museum Repository: San Diego Air and Space Museum Archive NASNI Historical Archive 034.

USS Ranger (CV-4) underway circa 1934, location unknown. Note the angled front face of her island; no directors are fitted on the latter. Official US Navy photo.

Two views of USS Ranger (CV-4) early in her career.

F4B-4 (# 9256) on out rigger, starboard side, aboard USS Ranger (CV-4), 7 August 1934.

U.S. Navy photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration, # 80-G-13364.

Crossing the Line Ceremony. An officer pollywog lookout is watching for Davy Jones aboard USS Ranger (CV-4), 24 August 1934.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # "80-CF-837-(Box 173)-Crossing the Line-1".

Crossing the Line Ceremony. Pollywogs aboard USS Ranger (CV-4), 24 August 1934.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # "80-CF-837-(Box 173)-Crossing the Line-2".

Crossing the Line Ceremony. Pollywogs aboard USS Ranger (CV-4), 24 August 1934.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # "80-CF-837-(Box 173)-Crossing the Line-3".

Crossing the Line Ceremony. Royal Princess aboard USS Ranger (CV-4), 24 August 1934.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # "80-CF-837-(Box 173)-Crossing the Line-4".

Crossing the Line Ceremony. Davy Jones being received aboard USS Ranger (CV-4) by Captain Arthur L. Bristol, 24 August 1934.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # "80-CF-837-(Box 173)-Crossing the Line-7".

Three Curtiss BF2C-1 Goshawk fighters of Bombing Squadron (VB) 5 in 1934. Twenty-seven BF2C-1s were delivered to VB-5 on USS Ranger (CV-4) in October 1934, but were withdrawn after a few months due to problems with the landing gear. U.S. Navy photo. U.S. Navy Naval Aviation News, January–February 1986.

USS Ranger (CV-4) off North Island, 1935.

San Diego Air & Space Museum photo, Naval Aviation in San Diego and North Island Collection.

USS Ranger (CV-4) pierside at Naval Air Station San Diego, circa 1935–1938.

San Diego Air & Space Museum photo, Naval Aviation in San Diego and North Island Collection.

The aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CV-4) with funnels lowered, circa 1936, location unknown.

US Navy photo, 1936.

USS Ranger (CV-4) in San Diego, 1936.

San Diego Air & Space Museum Archive, (SDASM), SDASM's Naval Aviation in San Diego and North Island Collection.

Grumman F3F-1, #0225, 5-F-14, VF-5B "Red Rippers," assigned to USS Ranger (CV-4), circa 1936.

San Diego Bay, 1936, with USS Langley (CV-1) in the left background and USS Ranger (CV-4) in the right background.

San Diego Air & Space Museum photo.

U.S. Navy Curtiss BF2C-2 (# 9607) belonging to Fighting Squadron VF-5B based aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CV-4). Buffalo, New York, 1936. USN Photo.

From United States Navy and Marine Corps Fighters 1918–1962, compiled by Paul R. Matt and edited by Bruce Robertson.

USS Ranger (CV-4), with the planes from the Cold Weather Test Detachment spotted on deck, anchored in the inner reach of Kachemak Bay, Alaska, 26 January 1936, with the snow-covered mountains of the southeastern shore visible in the distance.

National Naval Aviation Museum, photo # 2008.142.001.069.

USS Ranger (CV-4) anchored off Hawaii in 1937 with the flight deck loaded with planes.

National Naval Aviation Museum, photo # 1996.488.013.005.

View from Naval Air Station North Island tower looking toward the city of San Diego, circa late 1930s. USS Ranger (CV-4) is at the air station pier, with a P2Y seaplane on the water just astern. USS Langley (AV-3) is offshore, with a PBY overhead.

US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 91369, courtesy of BMC R. E. Turpin.

Signal bridge of USS Ranger (CV-4). Navy Recruiting Bureau, NY, via USNIP, 1938.

USS Ranger (CV-4) moored at North Island, California, with aircraft on her deck, 14 March 1938.

National Naval Aviation Museum photo, # 1996.488.013.010.

Thursday, 17 March 1938, during Fleet Problem XIX. Photo from the Northrop Grumman (Newport News Shipbuilding) archives, also found at the National Archives (# 80-G-44503).

(Thanks to Robert J. Cressman, who provided additional info).

Sailors queued up for ice cream and other treats at Ranger's Gedunk, 22 March 1938.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-463766.

USS Ranger (CV-4), foreground; USS Lexington (CV-2), middle distance; and USS Saratoga (CV-3), background, lie at anchor off Honolulu, HI, April 8, 1938 during Fleet Problem XIX.

National Archives photo # 80-G-410056.

(See also photos NS020201 and NS020341 ff.)

Off Honolulu, HI, during Fleet Problem XIX, April 8, 1938.

National Archives photo # 80-G-410061.

A Vought SBU-1 (Corsair) of Scouting Squadron Forty-Two (VS-42) flown by pilot LCDR Ralph W.D. Woods, CO, near Norfolk. USS Ranger (CV-4), circa 1939.

Photo courtesy of the National Naval Aviation Museum, Robert L. Lawson Photograph Collection, # 1996.253.2056.

"(NY11) NORFOLK, Va., April 13[, 1939]—RANGER COMES HOME FOR A VISIT— The Ranger, U.S. Navy's 14,500-ton aircraft carrier is shown with funnels laid over as it returned yesterday to the port where it was built as one of the first war vessels to arrive for the naval display off the Virginia capes. The Ranger carries 75 aircraft, of which four squadrons are bomber fighters, the remainder amphibians. Funnels are laid over when vessel carries planes. [...] (APWirephoto)(h51005wx)39"

"By day, Manhattan's towering skyline looms behind the aircraft carrier Ranger at anchor in the Hudson for the [World's] Fair. The Empire State Building rises at center above the other skyscrapers (Wide World Photos)."

The Sunday Star, Washington, D.C., 14 May 1939.

"PLANE CARRIER HIT BY FIRE—NORFOLK, Va., [Wednesday,] July 12[,1939]–AP–An explosion started a fire amidships the United States naval aircraft carrier Ranger Wednesday and burned for about three hours before it was brought under control."

"Estimates of damage were not immediately available."

"Several men were treated for shock and exhaustion, but officials said they had no definite information concerning the number injured or the cause of the explosion."

"The fire started about 2 p.m. and was brought under control about 5 p.m."

"The Ranger is at Norfolk navy yard."

Anchored in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, 10 November 1939.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-391559).

Underway at sea during the later 1930s.

Despite its printed caption, this photo was most likely taken in April 1939 during Ranger's visit to New York for the World's Fair.

(Thanks to Robert J. Cressman, who provided additional info).

Overhead view of USS Ranger (CV-4) underway, 1941, in a hard turn to port, with crewmen and aircraft on her flight deck.

US Navy and Marine Corps Museum/Naval Aviation Museum, Photo No. 1996.488.013.017.

Ship's senior officers and heads of departments, 10 June 1941.

Front row, left to right: Lieutenant Commander Herbert W. Taylor, Jr., USN, Navigation Department; Commander Francis G. Ulen, USN(DC), Dental Department; Commander Francis W. Carll, USN(MC), Medical Department; Captain Alfred E. Montgomery, USN, Commanding Officer; Commander Thomas L. Sprague, USN, Executive Officer; Commander Allen H. White, USN(SC), Supply Department, and Lieutenant Commander John M. Hoskins, USN.

Standing, left to right: Captain Thomas B. Hughes, USMC, Marine Detachment; Lieutenant Commander Warren W. Johnson, USN, Engineering Department; Lieutenant Commander Edward J. Robbins, USN (ChC), Chaplain; Lieutenant Commander Jefferson D. Beard, USN, Damage Control Department and First Lieutenant; Lieutenant Commander John R. Van Nagell, USN, Gunnery Department, and Lieutenant John H. Brockway, USN.

In the background are Grumman F3F aircraft of Fighting Squadron Five, which was on its way back to the U.S. to receive new F4F aircraft.

Photograph from Department of the Navy collections in the U.S. National Archives (# 80-CF-8005-1).

Convoy WS-12 steaming toward Capetown, South Africa, in November 1941. USS Quincy (CA-39) leads the nearest column, followed by USS Wakefield (AP-21), USS Mount Vernon (AP-22), USS West Point (AP-23) and USS Cimarron (AO-22). The second column is led by USS Ranger (CV-4), followed by USS Orizaba (AP-24), USS Leonard Wood (AP-25), USS Joseph T. Dickman (AP-26) and USS Vincennes (CA-44). The other ships present are destroyers.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (# 80-G-2275).

Aerial view of USS Ranger (CV-4), probably taken in 1942. She served in the Atlantic in 1941–1944, participated in the North African invasion, and the October, 1943 raid on Norway. Used as a training ship from 1944 to the end of the war.

A Douglas TBD-1 Devastator of Torpedo Squadron (VT) 4 taking off from the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CV-4) in 1942.

Photo U.S. Navy.

USS Ranger in Measure 12 (modified) camouflage at Norfolk Navy Yard in April 1942, after completion of the first modifications necessitated by the war. Note the newly fitted AA mounts, all shielded. The 1.1" AA guns were regrouped, and a few 20mm weapons can be made out. Official US Navy photo.

"USS Ranger (CV-4), port quarter, Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, VA, photo serial 2911(42), April 7, 1942". Painted in Ms. 12 (mod) camouflage.

"USS Ranger (CV-4), port broad side, Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, VA, photo serial 2912(42), April 7, 1942".

"USS Ranger (CV-4). Island structure looking for'd. Norfolk Navy Yard. Portsmouth, VA. Photo serial 2913(42). April 11, 1942."

"USS Ranger (CV-4). View of island, port side. Norfolk Navy Yard. Portsmouth, VA. Photo serial 2914(42). April 11, 1942."

Details of USS Ranger's island, taken on 11 April 1942, at Norfolk Navy Yard. It clearly shows that the two Mk.33 directors, installed before the outbreak of war, are fitted with Mk.4 radar; on the masthead is CXAM-1; and landing deck spotlights can be seen on the tripod mast. The wooden decking can just be made out. Mounts were added fore and aft of the island for the 1.1-in AA guns and their directors (USN).

Text from Aircraft Carriers of the U.S. Navy, by Stefan Terzibaschitsch.

"USS Ranger (CV-4). View of island looking aft and to stbd. Norfolk Navy Yard. Portsmouth, VA. Photo serial 2916(42). April 11, 1942."

"USS Ranger (CV-4). View of island from stbd. side. Norfolk Navy Yard. Portsmouth, VA. Photo serial 2918(42). April 11, 1942."

View of USS Ranger (CV-4), showing how narrow carrier islands are. In the foreground the raised 1.1-in AA gun mount is offset to starboard in order to save space; above this (covered) is its director. Ranger had a two-level bridge at this time; above the upper level is the Mk.4 radar, suspended on its Mk.33 director. The structure of the CXAM-1 radar is clearly visible (USN).

Text from Aircraft Carriers of the U.S. Navy, by Stefan Terzibaschitsch.

"USS Ranger (CV-4). View of island, looking aft. Norfolk Navy Yard. Portsmouth, VA. Photo serial 2917(42). April 11, 1942."

"USS Ranger (CV-4). Stern view stbd. side. Norfolk Navy Yard. Portsmouth, VA. Photo serial 2922(42). April 11, 1942."

"USS Ranger (CV-4). Bow view, stbd. side. Norfolk Navy Yard. Portsmouth, VA. Photo serial 2923(42). April 11, 1942."

A Douglas SBD Dauntless recovers aboard USS Ranger (CV-4), circa June 1942.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-K-730.

Douglas SBD Dauntlesses prepare to launch, during flight OPS aboard USS Ranger (CV-4), circa June 1942. Note tail of Grumman F4F Wildcat in lower right foreground.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-K-740.

Douglas SBD Dauntless scout bomber goes around for another landing attempt, after being "waved off" by the Landing Signal Officer on USS Ranger (CV-4), circa June 1942.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), # 80-G-K-741.

A Douglas SBD Dauntless, of Bombing Squadron (VB) 4, prepares to recover aboard USS Ranger (CV-4), circa June 1942. Note the Landing Signal Officer (LSO) on the right.

National Naval Aviation Museum (NNAM) photo, # 1996.488.021.023.

The Admiral conducts an inspection aboard USS Ranger (CV-4), 19 June 1942.

Forward end of the flight deck [of USS Ranger (CV-4)] while en route to Africa, 18 July 1942, showing the "desert pink"-painted Curtiss P-40F[ Warhawks of the 57th Fighter Group (Lt. Col. Frank H. Mears, Jr., USAAF, commanding)]. Note four SB2U[ Vindicators] from the Ranger Air Group parked among the USAAF fighters, and heavy cruiser [USS] Augusta (CA-31) off the carrier's port bow. National Archives photo # 80-G-12974.

Text from USS Ranger, the Navy's First Flattop from Keel to Mast, 1934–1946, by Robert J. Cressman (Brassey's, Inc., Washington, D.C.: 2003).

USS Ranger (CV-4) underway in Hampton Roads, Virginia, 18 August 1942. Her after elevator is partially lowered.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (# 80-G-10783).

USS Ranger (CV-4) underway in Hampton Roads, Virginia, 18 August 1942. Note partially lowered after elevator and flight deck identification letters "R N G R" still visible just ahead of the ramp.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (# 80-G-10786).

USS Ranger (CV-4), starboard broadside view, Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Va., 18 August 1942. Photo serial #3575(42).

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (# 80-G-10786).

Port broadside view of USS Ranger (CV-4) on August 18, 1942 conducting training off Norfolk Navy Yard. Ranger is camouflaged in Measure 12 (mod) scheme.

Photo from the 1943–45 Naval Recognition Manual files.

Starboard bow view of USS Ranger (CV-4) on August 18, 1942. Her stern mounted movable smoke stacks are in their upward position and are easily seen, along with her Measure 12 (mod) camouflage scheme.

Photo from the 1943–45 Naval Recognition Manual files.

Ranger — CV-4. From US Naval Ships & Aircraft (ONI 54-R), condensed and printed for FM 30-50, NAVAER 00-80V-57 (Recognition Pictorial Manual of Naval Vessels). Supplement 2 - 18 November 1942.

"Aircraft Carrier Ranger."  (From a Russian publication).

These drawings show Ranger after her August 1942 refit at Norfolk (top and center), and after her May-July 1944 refit, also carried out at Norfolk (bottom).

A VS-41 Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless as it comes aboard USS Ranger (CV-4), 6 September 1942. USN photo.

From "Carrier Air War in Original WWII Color," by Robert Lawson and Barrett Tillman.

Testing machine guns of Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat fighters aboard USS Ranger (CV-4), while en route from the U.S. to North African waters, circa early November 1942. Note the special markings used during this operation, with a yellow ring painted around the national insignia on aircraft fuselages.

This is a censored photo, since the individual squadron markings (VF-9 and VF-41) are plainly visible on the original negative. (Thanks to Robert J. Cressman).

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-30362).

Sailors "stripping ship" aboard USS Ranger (CV-4), in anticipation of action off Morocco, circa early November 1942. Paint has been chipped from the bulkheads and overheads as a precaution against fire.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (# 80-G-30266).

Ranger's gun crews stayed close to their mounts during Operation Torch. Here, the 1.1" mount just forward of the island and her starboard forward 20mm gallery are fully manned and guns at the ready in case of Axis attack.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-30233.

Sailors work on one of Ranger's TBF Avengers in the ship's cavernous hangar as she steams towards North Africa in preparation for Operation Torch.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-30290.

A Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat fighter taking off from USS Ranger (CV-4) to attack targets ashore during the invasion of Morocco, circa 8 November 1942. Note: Army observation planes in the left middle distance; loudspeakers and radar antenna on Ranger's mast.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-30244).

Robert J. Cressman, Head, Ships History Branch, Naval Historical Center, notes: "the original photo, uncropped, shows a crewman directing the plane up the deck to be spotted; all activity on the flight deck appears geared to recovering, not launching, planes, notably the 'asbestos joes' (men wearing protective clothing) by the island, the crewman with the chocks (R), etc."

Pilots of Fighting Squadron 41 (VF-41) singing in their ready room aboard USS Ranger (CV-4), before "zero hour" of the first day of the invasion of Morocco, 8 November 1942. Lieutenant Malcolm T. Wordell, Squadron Executive Officer, (at right) is leading the songs. Lieutenant Jacob W. Onstott is standing in the left center. Note situation board behind them, and chart of aircraft insignia at left.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (# 80-G-30251).

A U.S. Navy Gleaves-class destroyer passing aft of the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CV-4) off North Africa on 8 November 1942. The Air Group Screen was composed of the light cruiser USS Cleveland (CL-55) and Detroyer Division 10, consisting of USS Ellyson (DD-454), USS Forrest (DD-461), USS Fitch (DD-462), USS Corry (DD-463), and USS Hobson (DD-464). Eight Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat fighters and a single Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless dive bomber are visible on the flight deck.

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division photo, Digital ID: fsa 8e01526. Reproduction number: LC-USW33-034622-ZC.

An Army L-4 Cub prepares to launch from Ranger on 9 November, shortly before 2PM. Ranger carried three L-4s to the operation and launched them to serve as artillery spotters with ground forces.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) photo, # 80-G-0341.

"1943. Detail view of the forward starboard side armament and flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CV-4). Note the 5inch/25 AA guns in foreground with a quadruple 40 mm Bofors AA mounting behind. Beyond that a gallery of 20 mm Oerlikon AA guns lines the flight deck. Another quadruple Bofors is sited before the island. The two aircraft in the foreground are Douglas SBD scout dive bombers. Behind them are Grumman TBF Avenger torpedo bombers. The aircraft cockpits are covered for coolness. The half covered openings in the flight [deck] in the centre of the photograph are for arrestor wires to allow landing over the bow. (Naval Historical Collection)"

Australian War Memorial photo.

USS Ranger (CV-4), port bow view, Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, VA, Photo Serial 4454(43), 6 January 1943. Division of Naval Intelligence, Identification and Characteristics Section, June 1943.

P-40L Kittyhawks of the 58th Fighter Group on the flight deck of USS Ranger (CV-4), 14–24 February 1943, during transport to North Africa. The canopies are painted with a dark protective coating. Note that the engines of some of the aircraft are in the process of being run up.

Source: NARA II (photo # 80-G-52831).

TBF-1 Avenger, BuNo 06253, of VT-4 rests on Ranger's two port side exhaust stacks after a landing accident on 2 March 1943.

Source: NARA II (photo # 80-G-52840).

A Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless of Bombing Squadron (VB) 4 during Operation Leader, 4 October 1943, flying from the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CV- 4). The objective of the force was the Norwegian port of Bodø. The task force reached launch position off Vestfjord before dawn 4 October completely undetected. At 0618, Ranger launched 20 Dauntless dive bombers and an escort of eight Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat fighters of VF-4. One division of dive bombers attacked the 8,000-ton freighter LaPlata, while the rest continued north to attack a small German convoy. They severely damaged a 10,000-ton tanker and a smaller troop transport. They also sank two of four small German merchantmen in the Bodø roadstead.

This Dauntless (4-B-19, #11011), piloted by LT(JG) Clyde A. Tucker, Jr. with ARM2/c Stephen D. Bakran as gunner, is shown passing Kunna Head south of Bodø. It was one of two planes later lost in the attack (the other one was 4-B-15, #28636, LT(JG) Sumner R. Davis and ARM2/c Donald W. McCarley).

Photo from Naval Aviation News, 1 October 1945 issue.

USS Ranger underway in January 1944, location unknown. She is painted up in Measure 22. The 5" guns are still in place, as are the 1.1" AA guns — later removed and replaced by eight quad 40mm AA. Official US Navy photo.

Starboard view of USS Ranger (CV-4) underway off Quonset Point Naval Air Station, early 1944.

National Naval Aviation Museum, photo # 1996.488.013.028.

Views of USS Ranger (CV-4) taken from USS De Haven (DD-727) during summer 1944. Photos by William Coffin PHM3/c.

USS Ranger in July 1944, location unknown. The 5" guns have been removed, and quad 40mm mounts have replaced the 1.1" AA guns in the bow and stern positions. Note also an SP fighter-control radar atop her mast and an air search SC-2 below it. Camouflage is Measure 33, Design 1A. Official US Navy photo.

Photographed from a Naval Air Station, Hampton Roads, Virginia, aircraft on 6 July 1944. Note her camouflage paint scheme.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives (photo # 80-G-236719).

USS Ranger (CV-4), Booklet of General Plans, 7 July 1934; corrected to suit ship, up to 24 July 1944.

Starboard view of USS Ranger (CV-4) at Norfolk, 11 July 1944, wearing camouflage 33/1A. Some of the antennas have been censored.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), photo # 80-G-180197.

USS Ranger (CV-4) at anchor at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The carrier operated out of Pearl Harbor between 3 August and 18 October 1944. Note her camouflage paint scheme Measure 33 Design 1A. This was the only camouflage design which used four different colors: Navy Blue (5-N), Ocean Gray (5-O), Haze Gray (5-H), and Pale Gray (5-P).

National Naval Aviation Museum photo, # 1996.488.013.029.

Aerial view of USS Ranger (CV-4) underway, November 1944, after her transfer to the Pacific.

National Naval Aviation Museum photo, # 1996.488.013.025.

Torpedo Squadron (VT) 84 was temporarily based aboard USS Ranger (CV-4) for shakedown exercises, 27 November–2 December 1944.

Then LT Judson C. Davis and his crew.

Photo of USS Ranger (CV-4) taken by an airship from Squadron ZP-31 off the California coast, dated 29 May 1945. LT(JG) Dymkowski was the photographer.

USS Ranger (CV-4) is seen on 12 October 1945, transiting the Panama Canal on her way to New Orleans for Navy Day celebrations.

US Navy and Marine Corps Museum/Naval Aviation Museum, Photo No. 1999.488.013.032.

Associated Press Wirephoto whose caption states that "the photo shows Ranger headed upstream in the Mississippi River for a port visit to New Orleans."

"Launching 45 Grumman F8F-1 Bearcats (VBF-18 and VF-18) and 15 TBM-1C Avengers (VT-18) on the afternoon of the 15th [October 1945], to fly into NAS New Orleans, when she had reached a point approximately 100 miles from the Crescent City, the Ranger reached her destination the following afternoon, mooring to the Bienville Street dock." Quoted from "USS Ranger, the Navy's First Flattop from Keel to Mast, 1934–1946," by Robert J. Cressman (Brassey's, Inc., Washington, D.C.: 2003).

USS Ranger (CV-4), 1945. May be at about the same time as the photo above.

USS Ranger (CV-4), 1945.

"Wings over Honolulu" (1937; directed by Henry C. Potter; starring Ray Milland, Wendy Barrie, Kent Taylor, William Gargan, and Polly Rowles) was filmed, in part, aboard USS Ranger (CV-4) during the third week of February 1937.

"[...] several officers [including the CO, Captain Patrick N.L. Bellinger] and enlisted men of the ship's company made movie debuts" (from "The CV-4," the ship's paper, February 27, 1937, quoted in Robert J. Cressman's "USS Ranger, 1934-1946, The Navy's First Flattop from Keel to Mast").

USS Ranger (CV-4), Builder's Plaque, now in the Nauticus Museum, Norfolk, Virginia.

USS Ranger (CV-4), Mighty "R," Christmas 1944.

Ship's Bell, on display outside of the National Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola, Florida. Photos taken on 13 June 2008.

This famous photograph was also distributed as a postcard.

"One of the Navy's growing fleet of aircraft carriers is the Ranger. Commissioned in 1934, carrying scores of fast deadly planes."

Fighting Squadron 4 (VF-4), the "Red Rippers," was established as VF-5 on 1 February 1927; redesignated VF-5S (1 July 1927), VF-5B (January 1928), VB-1B (1 July 1928), VF-5B (1 July 1930), VF-5S (July 1932), VF-5B (April 1933), VF-4 (1 July 1937), VF-41 (15 March 1941), VF-4 (4 August 1943), VF-1A (15 November 1946), VF-11 (2 August 1948), and disestablished on 15 February 1959. The following day, 16 February 1959, VF-43 was redesignated VF-11 and carried on the insignia and traditions of the earlier "Red Rippers" (but not their lineage).

VF-4 (at the time VF-5B) transferred to USS Ranger in July 1936 and remained aboard until April 1944.

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