Do feel free to correct me if I’m wrong shark bait, but I thought that the integration of UK weapons was dependent upon the delivery of F-35 block IV and that the UK was deliberately keeping F-35 deliveries to a minimum until block IV was available due to the huge cost of upgrading earlier versions ...

If you look at that poster you will see that the dimensions for QNLZ have been rounded to the nearest 10 metres, whereas most other vessels have dimensions to tenths of a metre. What this means is that the poster is not a reliable source of information.

Well, that was the big event. First SRVL onto QNLZ. I’ve been following this forum (and its predecessor) for over 8 years looking forward to this moment. I do hope that we see many more and that it turns out to be another key technology in delivering the worlds most cost effective carrier strike cap...

As an alternative to avoid the football traffic the departure can be seen from Gosport. It's a good view point but not quite as close.

Looks like RFA Tideforce is now on her way: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ModsPkXpAwI

benny14 wrote: They have been preparing the mounts for the latest couple weeks and the CIWS is sitting in storage. Sounds like a made up story, what is the source?

It was on NavWeaps. https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/warship ... s4280.html

I’ve just seen a story elsewhere that the fitting of CIWS has been deferred from 2018 to 2020 to save money. It seems disappointing, but if all QNLZ is scheduled to do until then is sea trials and flying trials then it makes some sense.

Is it too much to ask, for QNLZ and PWLS to have some 30 F35B's each on board when they sail ? That flightdeck is massive !! Well yes, I think it is too much to ask if the ships are being deployed in the LPH role. Of course it will look impressive, but to have such valuable assets as the F-35B toge...

Well, if it's not a typing error then it may be to crane on the CIWS, which was at one time planned for March. Then turn her and crane them on the stbd side so she ends up the right way around as you say. But, just speculation so we'll have to wait and see.

Does this mean that this time they plan to moor he with bows to South: https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/qhm/portsmouth/shipping-movements/daily-movements?date=27/02/2018 12 0930 HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH OSB PRJ BOWS S P & TA TEMPEST, BOUNTIFUL, INDUGLENT, INDEPENDENT, SUZANNE, CHRISTINA MR A BANNISTER

According to Marine Traffic Tidesurge is now in Sasebo, Japan, so presumably started her delivery voyage.

What makes you think the lifts don't work, they were down in dock and clearly up at sea?

Marine traffic shows that Tiderace may have started her delivery voyage.

QEC Eye in the SKY wrote:

cockneyjock1974 wrote:Looks like she's going for a fuel up.

No escorts? Sutherland and Iron Duke off station, either that or I'm reading marine traffic incorrectly (which I doubt). Surely she's not unaccompanied.

I hadn't realised that the North Sea was a war zone!

Now underway.

Tugs are back, looks like the next move is about to start.

Looks like the lifts are raised too.

Next high water Rosyth is 17:31 BST, then low water for the bridges is 23:29. As sunset is not until 22:00 it's not going to be that dark, and a good time to close the bridges. The forecast is wind getting up again tomorrow so if they're not ready today I suspect it'll be next month.

MRCA wrote:Rumours the tugs have arrived and she may sail at low tide this evening

Surely will need high tide to exit the non-tidal basin. The next high tide is at 05:05 Monday.

The "fast cruise" is described here: https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/hms-que ... ng-cruise/

Flight deck displays in place: https://www.flickr.com/photos/qeclassca ... 324294013/

It's SSMOB day! See: http://www.aircraftcarrieralliance.co.u ... 06-06-2017

OK, I'll hazard a guess at answering my own question. Are they devices to spray special marker paint onto those rogue ships that crash into you at night while you're at anchor, so that in the morning the ships can be identified and their owners pursued for compensation?

What are those little things sticking out from the hull? There are several in the above photos. They look like sensors of some sort but seem rather large for that as they seem to be about 25 to 50cm long.

Here is a nice video of the new tug, SD Tempest, that is now in Pompey awaiting the carriers: http://www.forces.net/news/new-tug-prep ... t-carriers