Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

[bobp]

Looks like today's the day then.

Bon voyage

[Scimitar54]

Left active service as HER MAJESTY’s SHIP and re-joining active service as HIS MAJESTY’s SHIP. “Fair Winds and Smooth Running”.

[Jackstar]

As well as the repairs it will interesting to learn what capability upgrades have taken place over the last few months on HMS Prince of Wales.
She returns to the navy as a more capable ship.

[PhillyJ]

Pic below from nipper just before going under the bridges.

received_207651985263430.jpeg

[SKB]

(Jim Ramsay) 25th July 2023


(Watty Hutton) 25th July 2023


(SJE Scotland) 25th July 2023

[PhillyJ]

Not sure about Anchors Aweigh on that first video, better off with Hearts of Oak, or, as it's PWLS, perhaps Those in Peril on the sea?

[PhillyJ]

Official RN video of PWLS departure.

And one from PWLS.

[PhillyJ]

PWLS PR dept really pushing out the videos, they were off Scarborough Castle yesterday afternoon, shelled by the German navy in WWI bizarrely, the castle that is.

[bobp]

Two screws maxed out is good news.

[SKB]

Just watch out for lobster pots....

[bobp]

Refuelled at sea completed...

[PhillyJ]

Just had a couple of F35B's do a flyover, heading for the Dover strait soon apparently.

[serge750]

207sqn presumably......

[bobp]

Its all happening

[SKB]

QE is bows north on Victory Jetty and has an interesting looking white tent covering the entire starboard-aft quarter sponson, the one that usually doesn't have a Phalanx CIWS mount on it. Maybe they're just doing maintenance and painting. Or not? Hmm.

QE Victory Jetty 28July2023.jpg

[hovematlot]

QE is bows north on Victory Jetty and has an interesting looking white tent covering the entire starboard-aft quarter sponson, the one that usually doesn't have a Phalanx CIWS mount on it. Maybe they're just doing maintenance and painting. Or not? Hmm.

QE Victory Jetty 28July2023.jpg

Wasn't that sponson for a 30mm mounting..? But then how would they crane it on if its covered up .. Can live in hope

[PhillyJ]

If it is then it's a change, nipper told me a couple of years ago there were no plans for 30mm on the QE class...but that was before they successfully fired Martlet from them, who knows?

[Phil Sayers]

If it is then it's a change, nipper told me a couple of years ago there were no plans for 30mm on the QE class...but that was before they successfully fired Martlet from them, who knows?

I am not sure how successful that trial actually was - from the video I have seen where it was tried from a T23 there seemed to be a significant, and potentially dangerous, amount of backblast when the Martlet was launched.

[serge750]

I was kinda hoping they would put some on ! would they just send the wildcats up though ? also wouldn't a wildcat be better - cheaper &save airframe hours - for plane guard duties than a merlin ?

[inch]

Just a quick one if true and anyone can shed some light on it ,what are the upgrades supposably done with the repairs ? Cheers

[PhillyJ]

Just a quick one if true and anyone can shed some light on it ,what are the upgrades supposably done with the repairs ? Cheers

Not able to offer any insight to that I'm afraid, to be fair, nipper seemed to spend most of his off duty weekends in Dunfermline, so if he did know, then it's mostly forgotten! Saw this new tweet on twitter, the comments suggest Tuesday homecoming, as far as I know it's towards the end of next week, definitely not Tuesday.

[bobp]

Was wondering if the modifications were new radios for the US trip. I believe the US had some secure comms added to the QE for its flight testing and deployment.

[PhillyJ]

Was wondering if the modifications were new radios for the US trip. I believe the US had some secure comms added to the QE for its flight testing and deployment.

I remember visiting the ship and seeing a compartment with a US flag on the door, nipper said that's one of the places ordinary AB's like him are not allowed to enter.

[bobp]

Was wondering if the modifications were new radios for the US trip. I believe the US had some secure comms added to the QE for its flight testing and deployment.

I remember visiting the ship and seeing a compartment with a US flag on the door, nipper said that's one of the places ordinary AB's like him are not allowed to enter.

That sounds like the room on the QE full of secure US comms.

[bobp]

More flying today...