Search found 251 matches

by swoop
08 Mar 2022, 23:49
Forum: Conflicts
Topic: The war in Ukraine
Replies: 1163
Views: 85549
Pitcairn Island

Re: The war in Ukraine

Yes, could be the begining of a climbdown, if this turns out to be a true negotiating position. In addition, though, they want Ukraine to change its constitution to forbid joining any international organisations such as the EU and Nato, and for Ukraine to demilitarise. Clearly something that Ukrain...
by swoop
07 Mar 2022, 22:55
Forum: Conflicts
Topic: The war in Ukraine
Replies: 1163
Views: 85549
Pitcairn Island

Re: The war in Ukraine

Economically, Russian civil aviation will come to a standstill in a month or so. Aeroflot lease about a 3rd of their fleet and that is now required to be returned (in accordance with sanctions imposed). The remaining fleet is Airbus and Aeroflot get their servicing is done in Germany... So that isn'...
by swoop
07 Mar 2022, 22:37
Forum: Conflicts
Topic: The war in Ukraine
Replies: 1163
Views: 85549
Pitcairn Island

Re: The war in Ukraine

The Polish Air Force would receive F-16s from the USA to replace them. Russia has already made a statement that such actions could drag the countries involved, Poland in the case, into conflict with Russia, but this is being seen as bluster. It is interesting that one of putin's original "issu...
by swoop
07 Mar 2022, 03:24
Forum: Conflicts
Topic: The war in Ukraine
Replies: 1163
Views: 85549
Pitcairn Island

Re: The war in Ukraine

Not against Moldova. They are in the same situation as Ukraine was and now very scared. The dictator of Belarus showed a map which appeared to indicate "phase 2" where russian forces move into Moldova once the invasion of Ukraine is under control. Also interesting to see a million dollar ...
by swoop
07 Mar 2022, 03:14
Forum: Defence Elsewhere
Topic: New Zealand Defence Force
Replies: 619
Views: 38476
Pitcairn Island

Re: New Zealand Defence Force

I thought F111 was an aircraft nicknamed Aardvark... :mrgreen: The previous F111 NZ Frigate was HMNZS Otago. When attending an exercise with other navies, she was "attacked" one night and the middle 1 was changed with a few brush-strokes of paint... Since then I always see in my mind FIFI...
by swoop
28 Jan 2022, 23:15
Forum: Defence Elsewhere
Topic: New Zealand Defence Force
Replies: 619
Views: 38476
Pitcairn Island

Re: New Zealand Defence Force

New Zealand has sent; [*]Government has pledged $$$$$ ( I can't remember how much ) [/list] NZ has "given" $3 million to the Tongan recovery. https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2022/01/new-zealand-government-brings-tonga-in-aid-funding-up-to-3-million.html Remembering that they ga...
by swoop
21 Oct 2021, 02:04
Forum: Defence Elsewhere
Topic: Australian Defence Force
Replies: 2617
Views: 479901
Pitcairn Island

Re: Australian Defence Force

The first of six Evolved Cape Class patrol boats was launched at the Austal Ships shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia on 22 September. Gallery: http://images.defence.gov.au/S20212917 https://images.defence.gov.au/fotoweb/cache/5002/defenceimagery/2021/S20212917/20210924casg0000000_902.t616d0b6...
by swoop
22 Sep 2021, 02:34
Forum: Defence Elsewhere
Topic: Australian Defence Force
Replies: 2617
Views: 479901
Pitcairn Island

Re: Australian Defence Force

Kiwi PM Jacinda Whats-her-face has already banned the new Aussie subs from New Zealands tectonically unstable, volcanic waters - even before they've been designed... Maybe she's pissed about not being invited into AnzUKUS :mrgreen: She's a looney communist who panders to her green-party minority pa...
by swoop
19 Aug 2021, 09:38
Forum: Defence Elsewhere
Topic: New Zealand Defence Force
Replies: 619
Views: 38476
Pitcairn Island

Re: New Zealand Defence Force

The OPV's Wellington and Otago are known Protector Class OPV as is HMNZS Canterbury classed as a Protector-fleet amphibious and military sealift vessel... Sounds just like everything is a "protector" now. Presumably so the socialists' do not have to read that NZ has any form of offensive ...
by swoop
18 Aug 2021, 09:58
Forum: Defence Elsewhere
Topic: New Zealand Defence Force
Replies: 619
Views: 38476
Pitcairn Island

Re: New Zealand Defence Force

The ships bought under Project Protector are also called the Lake Class..see the RNZN's own details.. Yes, I looked at both sets of information on them but will remain with the older patrol boats as being "the" Lake Class. The new ones being "protector". Call me stubborn... The ...
by swoop
15 Aug 2021, 07:48
Forum: Defence Elsewhere
Topic: New Zealand Defence Force
Replies: 619
Views: 38476
Pitcairn Island

Re: New Zealand Defence Force

Looks like the Irish Naval Service are seriously looking at the two laid up Lake Class IPV's. The Lake class were disposed of in the early 90's. Built in the UK, they were particularly unsuitable for the NZ sea conditions and used to roll around like pigs. The current (laid up) boats are Protector ...
by swoop
11 Jun 2021, 03:13
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion
Replies: 15443
Views: 4408774
Pitcairn Island

Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Interesting that they are not using a bulbous bow. Just superficial similarities https://twitter.com/TheSubHunter1/status/1402625474623246338?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1402625474623246338%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fs9e.github.io%2Fiframe%2Ftwitter.mi...
by swoop
01 Sep 2020, 11:23
Forum: Defence Elsewhere
Topic: New Zealand Defence Force
Replies: 619
Views: 38476
Pitcairn Island

Re: New Zealand Defence Force

NighthawkNZ wrote: Future Airforce
  • King Air Replacement - (in service 2028)
Weren't the King Air a leased asset, rather than owned?
by swoop
23 Jul 2020, 09:04
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: The loss of HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse 10 December 1941
Replies: 26
Views: 8209
Pitcairn Island

Re: The loss of HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse 10 December 1941

... in May 1941 it should have been obvious to all concerned that the only truly effective protection against the Japanese air force could have been provided by RN, RAF or allied air cover. At that early a stage of the conflict, the tactics for dealing with Japanese Zeroes had not been developed, s...
by swoop
21 Jul 2020, 06:11
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion
Replies: 15443
Views: 4408774
Pitcairn Island

Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Aethulwulf wrote:...looks like lots of hurdles still to overcome before a prototype is built.
Like "how to take off with a ski-ramp equipped carrier" perhaps?
by swoop
01 Jul 2020, 08:27
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion
Replies: 15443
Views: 4408774
Pitcairn Island

Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Digger22 wrote:Someone needs to get a grip once and for all on Defence Procurement.
This is a complete shambles, a National disgrace and embarrassing!
That statement could apply for each and every decade going back to the 1950's...
by swoop
28 May 2020, 11:49
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion
Replies: 15443
Views: 4408774
Pitcairn Island

Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

serge750 wrote:I was actually hoping for a couple of Apache's - no operational benefit, but just because i like them :D
The US AH-64E Version 6 will be much more effective against sea going targets.
Whether or not the UK variant follows suit though...?
by swoop
08 May 2020, 03:46
Forum: Conflicts
Topic: Venezuela crisis
Replies: 1
Views: 450
Pitcairn Island

Re: Venezuela crisis

"Bay of Pigs 2.0"?

I guess when the dictator has china and Russian surveilance of their newly purchased asset, operations like this are not run-of-the-mill...
by swoop
08 May 2020, 03:42
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion
Replies: 15443
Views: 4408774
Pitcairn Island

Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

It's just a covert way of locking down the IoW so that this trial with the tracking app can be tested properly... :lol: Having to use a carrier to counter the might of the I.o.W ferry? I had no idea the Red Funnel Line had such power! Presumably people remember the old joke "what's brown and s...
by swoop
29 Apr 2020, 09:42
Forum: Defence Elsewhere
Topic: New Zealand Defence Force
Replies: 619
Views: 38476
Pitcairn Island

Re: New Zealand Defence Force

Still the Auckland NZ Devonports dock operated by Babcock is working. The dock has done French Floreal-class major refit work. So, if it is "not much complicated", the dock can do it. I think ANZAC FSU program in Canada is too complex. As I said, it is a shame the capabilities have been a...
by swoop
27 Apr 2020, 10:18
Forum: Defence Elsewhere
Topic: New Zealand Defence Force
Replies: 619
Views: 38476
Pitcairn Island

Re: New Zealand Defence Force

I think these upgrades are a little more technical. The last major refit I remember was HMNZS Wellington F69... while it was a major upgrade... it is nothing compared to the ANZAC upgrades... Basically, if it was electronic it was gutted... That never really ever happened in other refits in the pas...
by swoop
23 Apr 2020, 09:27
Forum: Defence Elsewhere
Topic: New Zealand Defence Force
Replies: 619
Views: 38476
Pitcairn Island

Re: New Zealand Defence Force

[quote="NighthawkNZ"]Does she say HMCS... instead of HMNZS???[/quote
I'm hearing "HM Zee S" like she forgot the "N". Then there is the mutilation of other words...

With Te Kaha going into dock. I remember whan a refit like that would have been done in NZ.
by swoop
20 Apr 2020, 09:01
Forum: Defence Elsewhere
Topic: New Zealand Defence Force
Replies: 619
Views: 38476
Pitcairn Island

Re: New Zealand Defence Force

Someone please gag that voiceover person. She needs to learn to read and pronounce words, before being let loose as someone involved in PR.
by swoop
20 Apr 2020, 08:58
Forum: Royal Navy
Topic: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion
Replies: 15443
Views: 4408774
Pitcairn Island

Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

... is the ford class ready to rock and roll now all probs fixed Not really. Shock testing still hasn't been done as this was meant for hull #2 (79-Kennedy), due to the fact that they couldn't be sure if too much damage would occur on the first hull (78-Ford) and that would put back the list of fix...
by swoop
16 Feb 2020, 08:55
Forum: Defence Elsewhere
Topic: New Zealand Defence Force
Replies: 619
Views: 38476
Pitcairn Island

Re: New Zealand Defence Force

The new tanker...
Damn, that bow is ugly! Whoever designed that must have a fixation on tugboats.
Also strange, not recessing the anchor into a well.