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Posted by Ralph Wood on September 26, 2025, 9:58:07, in reply to "Virginia class CGN question"
Not a direct answer, but...
This image shows a segmented hatch, which looks to me like a sort of "telescoping," or "accordian-like" arrangement:
https://www.the-blueprints.com/blueprints/ships/cruisers/66122/view/uss_cgn-38_virginia_nuclear_missile_cruiser/
Looks like it should fold up in segments.
Enlarge the 7th photo down on this page, and you can see the drawing is correct. You can see the segments:
https://www.history.navy.mil/our-collections/photography/numerical-list-of-images/nhhc-series/nh-series/USN-1168000.html
Years ago, when she was still active, I remember seeing a photo of the open hangar. I just searched, but can't find it, unfortunately. 
Previous Message
The Virginia class CGN had below main deck
hangar for a SH-2 Seasprite in the stern before the
helicopter pad.The hangar was equipped with an elevator and covered by a folding hatch. How did this folding hatch work? Any one know.Thanks in advance.
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