Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

[Scimitar54]

Not “In Dock” of course, but “Alongside in their Home Port”. Excellent photo though!

[SKB]

HMNB Portsmouth is officially a Naval Base, not a port (civilian/merchant term) or a Royal Dockyard (because RN ships aren't built or get major refits in Portsmouth).

[Scimitar54]

I think that we will have to agree to disagree.

Firstly, “Port” can also be a Military term.

a) The QEC Class Aircraft Carriers are both “Home Ported” at HMNB Portsmouth and receive
all of their maintenance & victualling (short of dry-docking and loading of ammunition)
there.
b) As you well know, a large Superblock of R08 was actually built in Portsmouth, you may
even recall which one it was.
c) RN (T45s) are not getting Major Refits at Portsmouth ? What would you call what has
been and is going on under the “David” crane then!

[bobp]

Portsmouth Harbour perhaps ??

[SKB]

As you well know, a large Superblock of R08 was actually built in Portsmouth, you may even recall which one it was.

I do indeed. In fact, BAE Portsmouth built more than just one superblock, they built LB02 (forward hull), LB05 (aft hull) and UB07 (the forward island) for QE.
Portsmouth also built the polemasts for both carriers too.

[SD67]

Some pics that nipper has put up on FB of his time on PWLS.
FB_IMG_1692110274934.jpgFB_IMG_1692110284055.jpgFB_IMG_1692110351268.jpgFB_IMG_1692110391758.jpg

Great pix.
Silly question - is the Apache marinised? I thought it wasn't hence why the USMC don't fly them

[PhillyJ]

Great pix.
Silly question - is the Apache marinised? I thought it wasn't hence why the USMC don't fly them

Honestly not sure, I know that on several trips out with her, Apaches were deployed. I'm sure someone on here might know for sure.

[serge750]

Have U.S.marines embarked a Viper on a QEC yet ?

[Little J]

[serge750]

Cheers ! must of missed that vid - D'oh great to see a good variety of aircraft on their decks

[djkeos]

Posted yesterday on FB by Jake Corben: HMS Prince of Wales now bows north 21/8/23

[new guy]

wind ship?

[Poiuytrewq]

Not enjoyable reading.

https://www.navylookout.com/the-f-35-ac ... er-strike/

Perhaps transferring all F35b to the FAA would solve all of the problems….

[Anthony58]

Political failure at the highest level, post 1997, which is uncomfortable to the Conservative and Labour parties as well as the Liberal Democrats (the two senior members in the quad) during the 2010 - 2015 coalition, compounded by being ill informed and not being interested in defence, this applies to many MPs.

[new guy]

plus as someone who was there on that deployment, just about any change of plan that could happen from the start happened, the fire on fort Vic, the suicide on kent (who was a friend of mine), diverting to provide top cover for the withdrawal of Afghanistan, the longest period at sea went from a planned 5 weeks to not far off ten, so people were eating some food that was probably should have been got rid off, even the ten days in standdown which was meant to be in japan was cut short in Guam for a typhoon coming. add all that up plus the daily grind of on average 7 days a week, for nearly 8 months and you see why things didnt go to plan

[serge750]

Perhaps transferring all F35b to the FAA would solve all of the problems….
[/quote].
Would love to see that, but, don't the RAF own all the F35, so the RN would have to get some more money for ownership, perhaps in the long run two squadrons & maintainers ( out of four ? ) could be transferred to the RN & maybe go through Extra maritime operational training after the initial training with tha RAF....then when the RAF lightning's are needed for 'serge' operations they could be taken under the wing of the RN F35 crew duration their naval deployment...

[topman]

There's not enough people, neither service can man the whole force on their own right now.

'Transferring' the aircraft solves nothing.

[Scimitar54]

topman wrote:-

Transferring' the aircraft solves nothing.

I tend to agree (as things stand right now).

There are overall (Air) issues that the RAF need to urgently bring to resolution. eg The Pilot Training pipeline. Engineering Training and the standing-up of the next Squadron(s).
Whichever service “owns” the F35Bs, Basic and Advanced Pilot training would still be the province of the RAF.

Longer term however, I do think that the whole Lightning Force (Aircraft, Facilities and Personnel) MUST eventually come under RN (FAA) control. A structured programme that maintains growth and progress, but which gradually increases the naval influence (and culture) on the Lightning Force should be devised and followed that would enable the transfer to happen within a given (but nevertheless fixed) timeframe.

[new guy]

JHF worked ok. This is growth and inexperience pains. More training is needed, but I believe that transferring it to RN won't solve anything, rather be detrimental.

[Scimitar54]

JFH most certainly did not work ok! ……. It lost the nation its only Naval Fighter (the Sea Harrier FA2). The RAF then dumped the entire Harrier Force to keep their Tonka toys for a few more years! …………. Result, a Carrier “Gap” AND the QEC Carriers entered service with “No Aircraft”.

Complete and utter failure is Failure badged as Success (or OK).

[Dahedd]

JFH most certainly did not work ok! ……. It lost the nation its only Naval Fighter (the Sea Harrier FA2). The RAF then dumped the entire Harrier Force to keep their Tonka toys for a few more years! …………. Result, a Carrier “Gap” AND the QEC Carriers entered service with “No Aircraft”.

Complete and utter failure is Failure badged as Success (or OK).

To be fair Scimitar, I think joint force Harrier wasn't a bad idea. The problems came with the never ending sandbox wars and short sighted governments of , who thought conventional warfare was over for good.

Sea Harrier, GR9, Jaguar, all sacrificed, followed ultimately by Tornado GR4 too. All without replacement at the time, leaving the RAF with a pitiful handful of Squadrons.

If future plans come to fruition with Tempest, then I agree that the F35B force should be transferred to the FAA.

My ideal would be 8 RAF Tempest and 4 FAA F35B squadrons with a force of carrier capable loyal wingman shared between them.

I know, I can dream....



The issue as ever is training and retaining aircrew, but that's a seperate issue.

[Little J]

I wonder if any of the top brass would have the balls to stand up and say that the plane was lost, (basically) because of the repercussions of the forced "gap"?

Nah, silly me... They'll just wait for retirement first.

[hovematlot]

Still quite a lot of work going on QNLZ forward aircraft lift today.

[new guy]

Holy Christ, two of those chains just came back from transfer in the RAF....

[jcs1959]

According to King's harbour master HMS Prince of Wales sails tomorrow at 13:25.