Well sir, your questions will take a few moments here. My intention is to build each "class" of USN carriers , from the very first: USS Langley CV-1, up to the first Forrestal class, which will be the USS Ranger CVA-61 which I served aboard in 1969. She is now scrap. That will be a total of 7 models for the collection that I am doing. The Forrestal class truly defined the modern US carrier design and was a conventional powered ship. Also, the ships just keep getting bigger and I am running out of room. As for designation, here is the best I can come up with for you: CV: Fleet aircraft carrier (1921-1975), CVA: Aircraft Carrier, Attack (category merged with CV, 30 June 1975). CV(N): Aircraft Carrier, Night (Deck equipped with lighhting and pilots trained and for nighttime fights)(1944)(retired). CVAN: Aircraft Carrier, Attack, Nuclear powered (cataegory merged into CVN, 30 June 1975). CVB: Aircraft Carrier, Large (Original USS Midway class, catagory merged into CVA, 1952). CVE: Escort aircraft carrier (retired)(1943-retirement of type). CVHA: Aircraft Carrier, Helicopter Assault (retired in favor of several LH-series amphibious assault ship hull codes). CVHE: Aircraft Carrier, Helicopter, Escort (retired). CVN: Aircraft Carrier, Nuclear powered.CVS: Antisubmarine Aircraft Carrier. (retired). CVL: Light aircraft carrier (retired). CVG: Aircraft Carrier. Guided Missile (retired). CVV: Aircraft Carrier Vari-purpose, Medium (retired unused). (information curtesy of John Chesire, Naval Aviator, Commander USNR retired. It is to be noted: "Contrary to popular belief the "CV" hull classification symbol does not stand for "Carrier Vessel". The "CV" designation was originally derived from cruisers, since aircraft carriers were seen as an extension of the sea control and denial mission of cruisers. The "V" designation for heavier-than-air craft comes from the French verb voler (to fly)." So there you have it. Dennis