Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Contains threads on Royal Navy equipment of the past, present and future.
CameronPerson
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by CameronPerson »

I know it’s sad but I really want to see those Merlins using the lift :crazy:

benny14
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by benny14 »

Saturday :)

Image

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SKB
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by SKB »




Heh, 18:00 on a SATURDAY EVENING! :crazy: :lol:

That'll be "fun". Portsmouth FC are playing at home tomorrow in a sellout vs Oxford United FC. Now imagine combining that homeward bound football traffic with the regular evening rush hour traffic after 17:00. There WILL be traffic jams!

If you are planning to come and watch QE go out, try to arrive in Portsmouth before rush hour, ideally before half-time (15:45-16:00) when football crowds are contained inside the stadium and not out on the roads, trains and ferries.

Expect these roads (especially the A2030) to be red tomorrow! https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@50.80519 ... e3!5m1!1e1

Might be worth staying at home and watching the RN's live Facebook feed instead....^

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easydiver
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by easydiver »

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.

cyrilranch
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by cyrilranch »

benny14 wrote:
cyrilranch wrote: Are not the Wildcats used by the RM pooled from the army AH1 helicopters, as FAA Wildcats are HMA2 version s with seaspey radar already fitted.
Likely pooled, 847 NAS has ~6 AH1s. If they want radar and weapons, easiest way is conversion to HMA2, it gives you both, you then just need to introduce Brimstone.
That makes to much sense, the MOD will never go for that.

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SKB
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by SKB »



(Mike B) Uploaded 19 Aug 2018
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard on board HMS Victory 17 August 2018

(richjpat) Uploaded 20 Aug 2018
Two Merlin Helicopters from the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, which was docked in Portsmouth Harbour, training at Solent Airport (Daedalus) Lee on Solent , UK on Friday 17th August 2018. ZH856 & ZH846, call sign Dolphin1 & Dolphin2.
The carrier left Portsmouth the next day to begin flight trials in the US.

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CR4ZYHOR5E
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by CR4ZYHOR5E »

I'll be flying in the area all day tomorrow, better check the NOTAMS!

Bring Deeps
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by Bring Deeps »

Did the harbour tour today and QNLZ was looking very ship shape. The three helicopters on deck at the time were stowed by the time I was back after lunch and I think another two landed on whilst I was going round the submarine museum. May post some photos later.

tomuk
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by tomuk »

benny14 wrote:
cyrilranch wrote: Are not the Wildcats used by the RM pooled from the army AH1 helicopters, as FAA Wildcats are HMA2 version s with seaspey radar already fitted.
Likely pooled, 847 NAS has ~6 AH1s. If they want radar and weapons, easiest way is conversion to HMA2, it gives you both, you then just need to introduce Brimstone.
I think all the Wildcat should be transferred to the FAA and upgraded to HMA2 standard. They can be used for escort/CAS use with Commando Merlin or with extra dipping sonar sets to supplement Merlin in ASuW role.

Airbus H145M should then be bought for the Army/Air Force to replace the Wildcats, Gazelle, Bell 212(BATUS and RAF Akotiri) and SAS Dauphin. Armed and unarmed versions could be purchased like the UH-72A/B Lakhota. If the H145M isn't 'heavy' enough for some uses then a few more Apache could be purchased,

Bring Deeps
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by Bring Deeps »

Some photos from this morning.
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SDL
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by SDL »

Really cool shots there dude.

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SKB
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by SKB »

Nice photos, but her bow paintwork looks shocking, a real mess. She's off out on a big date to America and she's got rust all over her 'face'.

Her cream undercoat is still showing through (since before her June sailing to Cornwall) low down on the port side near the depth guage markings. Hope they get her sorted/cleaned before 18:00 tomorrow.

bobp
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by bobp »

SKB wrote:Nice photos, but her bow paintwork looks shocking, a real mess. She's off out on a big date to America and she's got rust all over her 'face'.


Horrible I agree but that's not rust, looks like a darker shade of grey paint when you get close.

Simon82
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by Simon82 »

Still no phalanx or 30 mm DS30M mounts to be seen. I don’t suppose she’ll be facing any security threats off the US seaboard that can’t be warded off with a sternly worded radio message and/or a visible wave of a loaded GPMG so I’m not concerned. However, I’m slightly surprised that the 30 mm cannons haven’t been mounted yet.

Beagle24
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by Beagle24 »

I read many months ago she was to have a frigate escort for the trip but can find no recent reference to this. Is she sailing solo?

PhillyJ
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by PhillyJ »

Beagle24 wrote:I read many months ago she was to have a frigate escort for the trip but can find no recent reference to this. Is she sailing solo?
According to local news she will be joined by RFA Tiderace and Plymouth-based Type 23 frigate HMS Monmouth.

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SKB
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by SKB »

Portsmouth News reports that there will be four F-35B test pilots; three Britons and one American. A Briton is expected to touch down first.
BBC Breakfast News (wince) reported that two test F-35B's are to be used in the trials.



https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/defen ... -1-8605829

CameronPerson
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by CameronPerson »

Nice to little itinerary here

https://www.savetheroyalnavy.org/hms-qu ... -the-plan/

I first saw QE exactly one year ago today, time flies :crazy:

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SKB
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by SKB »

Oxford United fans (and team) have arrived. I wonder if they'll stick around afterwards for QE's departure? Perhaps some of them have never seen the sea before? I've heard Oxford is the most inland place in the whole UK!
:wave:




bobp
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by bobp »

Interesting that the crew size of QE has risen to 800. And that there will be 700 others on board for the trials.

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SKB
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by SKB »

Those of you who intend to drive down to see QE go out at 6pm, go NOW!
Football has just kicked off and the roads will be "normal" (hah!) until 5pm....
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@50.80519 ... e3!5m1!1e1

Its also being shown live on HMNB Portsmouth (Facebook): https://www.facebook.com/HMNBPortsmouth/

15:00 - QE AIS not on yet. Tugs still berthed in usual places between A and B locks.
https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/ho ... 99/zoom:15

15:45 - Its half time. (0-0) You have just over an hour of normal road traffic conditions left before gridlock around Portsmouth begins! :mrgreen:

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-Eddie-
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by -Eddie- »

Image

Tempest, Christina, Suzanne, Indulgent, Independent, and Bountiful getting in position to move QE. Still not on AIS.

SDL
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by SDL »

How long should it take to cross the Atlantic?

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-Eddie-
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by -Eddie- »

SDL wrote:How long should it take to cross the Atlantic?
Navy Lookout says about 10 days, but QE is doing a few days of rotary wing trials off the UK first. So possibly there about 2 weeks today?

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