Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

[Biggles]

My bet is that QE will have to be docked after PW comes out to sort out the hull painting. Might as well change the props (from the brake blades) at the same time. Then proceed on sea trials and delivery. By far the most cost effective option.

[SKB]

Who made that crappy paint is what I want to know. QE has only recently been repainted above the waterline after large portions of the paint peeled off after float out in 2014.

[Pongoglo]

Any sign of the sheeting and Scaffolding coming down on HMS Queen Elizabeth ?

Assuming they will have to get her shipshape in the near future for Sea Trials and if the flight deck is still mostly covered then does it imply that delays may be partially down to the flight deck painting and the Thermal paint application ?

She's bow to stern covered in tenting, primarily on the starboard side of the flight deck. Both islands are uncovered now. HMS Diamond has been in Rosyth over the weekend but berthed in the cruise ship jetty?? She's away now, POW still doesn't have Artisan installed but she's unrecognisable with all the covering on her.

Yay - CJ's back ! Just in time to vote in another referendum too

[QEC Eye in the SKY]

Any sign of the sheeting and Scaffolding coming down on HMS Queen Elizabeth ?

Assuming they will have to get her shipshape in the near future for Sea Trials and if the flight deck is still mostly covered then does it imply that delays may be partially down to the flight deck painting and the Thermal paint application ?

She's bow to stern covered in tenting, primarily on the starboard side of the flight deck. Both islands are uncovered now. HMS Diamond has been in Rosyth over the weekend but berthed in the cruise ship jetty?? She's away now, POW still doesn't have Artisan installed but she's unrecognisable with all the covering on her.

Lovely to see you back old boy, if only temporarily (whilst lurking in the shadows ) Any new pics of note, even with tents galore? Might have a wee drink tonight to celebrate your return!!


Cheers

[cockneyjock1974]

Sorry folks not back, I always said I would throw in the occasional bit of news if it was worth reporting. I shall resume to linger mode, thanks for the kind words though.

[rbw91]

From one fellow lingerer to another, don't leave it so long next time CJ I have enjoyed every contribution you have made to this fascinating thread.

[Timmymagic]

Who made that crappy paint is what I want to know. QE has only recently been repainted above the waterline after large portions of the paint peeled off after float out in 2014.

Navy Lookout put out some info on the hull paint the other day on twitter. In short ACA were aware since 2014, the contractor is fixing at their own cost, paint will be applied whilst the ship is in the water (thats not unusual these days, but is more costly for the contractor).

[SKB]

PoW Assembly Diagram Updated! (31st March 2017)
SP13 Fwd sponson lifted and fitted to port side.

(ACA)

Block SP13 (Forward) is the first of three additional blocks to be incorporated into the modified design of HMS Prince of Wales, the second of the Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers. This modification will "future-proof" the carrier for envisioned angled-deck landings and take-offs for the projected fifty-year service life of the ship.

Hopefully, QE will also have the modification added when having her first refit in the future.

PoW Assembly Diagram 31Mar2017 SP13 Fwd.PNG

[bobp]

That's old news.

[matt00773]

That's old news.

It's all in the date...

[ArmChairCivvy]

And we can buy the Advanced S-Hornets as and when they become available...

[Thorvicson]

Any sign of the sheeting and Scaffolding coming down on HMS Queen Elizabeth ?

Assuming they will have to get her shipshape in the near future for Sea Trials and if the flight deck is still mostly covered then does it imply that delays may be partially down to the flight deck painting and the Thermal paint application ?

She's bow to stern covered in tenting, primarily on the starboard side of the flight deck. Both islands are uncovered now. HMS Diamond has been in Rosyth over the weekend but berthed in the cruise ship jetty?? She's away now, POW still doesn't have Artisan installed but she's unrecognisable with all the covering on her.

CJ just had a snoot at the Flickr account and the Artisan was fitted about Aug 2015 on QNLZ when she was alongside. Don't know if they will stick to same plan or not with PWLS as maybe easier to do whilst still in dry-dock.

[Jake1992]

Is PoW really having the extra blocks to allow an angled deck at some point out in now or is it and April fools joke ?

[Thorvicson]

Is PoW really having the extra blocks to allow an angled deck at some point out in now or is it and April fools joke ?

No its SKBs April Fools joke

[SDL]

Trust nothing you see on April 1st.... that's my motto.

[Jake1992]

It's a shame as it'd would be good forward planing to add those blocks now instead of rushing it in when needed later one

[SKB]

As its now gone 12:00.... Yes, the PoW angled deck blocks were another April Fool's prank!

[whitelancer]

Why an angled deck? The QEs seem ideally suited to a parallel deck see CVA 01.

[Dave]

Why an angled deck? The QEs seem ideally suited to a parallel deck see CVA 01.

You might want to go back and read the 6 posts preceding yours

[whitelancer]

Thanks but I did realise the date
I was responding to Jake1992's comment.
Its always assumed that should the carriers be converted to CATOBAR configuration (very unlikely) an angled deck would be required, I was just pointing out that a parallel deck configuration was developed for CVA 01 for which the layout of the QECs seems eminently suitable. Indeed it seems that is how they will operate with the F35B, with the take off "runway" also being used for RVLs.

[Bring Deeps]

Latest ACA blog is out and is notable for containing almost no new information about progress on QE.

The cynic might assume from this that the only news that could be reported at the moment is bad news.

http://www.aircraftcarrieralliance.co.u ... -blog.aspx

[Gabriele]

Well, unless something has changed recently, the director dropped an April fish in there, or got lost for a moment in Type 45 memories. Doubt HMS Prince of Wales is getting a Sampson radar...

[whitelancer]

He did report the FIRST testing of the automatic firefighting system. Its worth pointing out that without an effective fire fighting system QE could not put to sea perhaps that is one of the reasons for the delay!

[ArmChairCivvy]

Came across an interesting statement on operating costs (once a capability needs to be deployed in an expeditionary context; not while it is maintained within the UK). This is from evidence to the Defence Committee in 2013

" The safety and security of the overseas air bases to which it [the required air support for an expeditionary operation] deploys. If we again look at Afghanistan, the three airbases that we operate from (Kandahar, Bastion and Bagram) require
major resources to run and protect.

Kandahar and Bastion are each similar in size to a small
UK county. It is for consideration that the cost of running ONE of these airfields is no less than
the cost of running a carrier battle group offshore. The United States is covering these costs. It
is unlikely that Britain could afford to do so unilaterally."

The argument is strong, but omits the fact that there would still need to be a secure (even if a quickly prepared, rough field) base for tactical air transport (up to A400Ms that have the rough field capability) and rotary operations, even if combat air (incl. CAS) could be operated from a carrier.

[easydiver]

Here is a nice video of the new tug, SD Tempest, that is now in Pompey awaiting the carriers: http://www.forces.net/news/new-tug-prep ... t-carriers