Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

[dmereifield]

Still, 24 x Lightning IIs as well as a 16+ Merlin cabs of varying types still presents a formidable capability - especially if the F-35 lives up to the 5th Gen hype!

Certainly looks impressive! How long do you think it will be until we are able to deploy 24 routinely? A decade?

[SKB]

A blue (or red) ensign flying at the stern (or on one of the islands) might be a good sign she's about to sail. Or an increase in tug numbers and movements.

[dmereifield]

Despite conflicting comments on social media, I will be providing daily updates this week if she has moved.

Status: Still berthed.

Thanks for keeping us updated CJ. Won't be able to make it up to see her leave but I hope to be in Pompey towards the end if the year when she sails in. Obviously that will generate a lot of press coverage - do you (or anyone else) know if she will sail in empty or whether the flight deck will be populated with helicopters and /or F35s (models or otherwise)?

I know it doesn't matter, but it will just look so much more bad ass....

[SDL]

[cockneyjock1974]

Told you she was spectacular at night.

[Dahedd]

Wow. Cracking pic.
Cannot wait to see her if she comes up to the Moray/Cromarty Firth as some have speculated. I'll be down on Findhorn Beach with the camera.

Good target practise for the Lossie Typhoons

[bobp]

Spectacular Indeed even the boat bays lit up.

[shark bait]

I hope I'm wrong, but I cannot imagine seeing such a task force other than in a national crisis, or for the odd photo op

we wont unless the huge availability issues are fixed in the fleet

[The Armchair Soldier]

Same image rotated and cropped - might make it a bit easier to view:

[CR4ZYHOR5E]

https://www.theregister.co.uk/2017/06/1 ... _of_wales/

[seaspear]

An interesting post there about JPALS is there any reason besides money it would not be put in the Queen Elizabeth

[cockneyjock1974]

Still dockside folks.

[Sunk at Narvik]

She looks like shes testing the anti grav motors (lights in the bays). Obviously the secret kit Enig can't tell us about!

[cockneyjock1974]

Purpose built tug SD Tempest left Portsmouth Harbour today enroute to Rosyth so QE move cannot be far away.

[Aethulwulf]

SD Tempest expected to arrive in Rosyth on Friday 23 June...

[Digger22]

If Tempest is needed to get her out of the basin, then no news prior to the 23rd, however, is she going to Rosyth to ensure QE exits the forth safely rather than the basin? If so QE could still be moved out in the morning? As Tempest is not due to arrive till 10am on Friday, and if she is needed to help get her out of the basin, then the move may not happen till Saturday due to tides?

[Bring Deeps]

Must be close. In the sim Hopetoun was going to be used. She is still moored in the Forth but it wouldn't take her long to get to Rosyth.

PS. QNLZ lights look a bit like Christmas Tree one upmanship which in this case is obviously a very good thing and not at all chavy.

[cockneyjock1974]

From what the people on the R08 page on Facebook are saying is that they need a high tide to get her out the basin and a low tide to go under the bridges.

I having a guess at Friday exit basin, Sunday sailing under bridges.

[Digger22]

Weather forecast isn't giving anything away, I think CJ has called it spot on. Time will tell. What a sight! Can't wait.

[Defiance]

Very much looking forward to the day it happens.

[Timmymagic]

I having a guess at Friday exit basin, Sunday sailing under bridges.

For those of us who can't make it are there any webcams apart from the below? Is anyone streaming on Periscope?

http://www.forth-bridges.co.uk/queensfe ... ebcam.html

[Gabriele]

SD Tempest heading north to Rosyth, with ETA tomorrow at 11.00.

[imperialman]

on-board most people believed it would be a Sunday but that might not happen as the weather is expected to be poor IIRC.

[SKB]

Tempest is in the North Sea, east of Skegness https://www.vesselfinder.com/?imo=9803637

[Aethulwulf]

Weather forecast for Rosyth:

Friday pm - 16°C, 18 mph wind
Sat am - 12°C, 20 mph wind
Sat pm - 14°C, 46 mph wind
Sun am - 14°C, 19 mph wind
Sun pm - 16°C, 15 mph wind
Mon am - 13°C, 6 mph wind
Mon pm - 13°C, 10 mph wind