Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

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

Post by shark bait »

dmereifield wrote:Unescorted?
Shes on trials in the Mediterranean, does it matter?
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Caribbean
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by Caribbean »

From her last position, she was heading into the Atlantic
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dmereifield
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by dmereifield »

shark bait wrote:
dmereifield wrote:Unescorted?
Shes on trials in the Mediterranean, does it matter?
I don't know. Does it? Does France or Italy have escorts in the vicinity when they work up and undertake trials in the Med or Atlantic? Does any other navy send it's carrier(s) out into international waters during working up and trials? I genuinely don't know the answer to any of these questions.
It just seems odd from a lay perspective

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

Post by Smokey »

HMS Ark Royal (IV) would frequently Transit the North Atlantic unescorted at the height of the Cold War.

Apart from a Soviet “fishing” trawler...

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

Post by dmereifield »

Smokey wrote:HMS Ark Royal (IV) would frequently Transit the North Atlantic unescorted at the height of the Cold War.

Apart from a Soviet “fishing” trawler...
Blooming heck, was that wise? I suppose, given our larger fleet then, that there were likely 2 or 3 UK subs in the vicinity keeping an eye on her, and would-be nosey Russian subs?

Presumably that's not the case for HMS QE at present?

I'm not trying to run the RN down or pretend I know better, I'm just trying to understand better whether such practices today are typical (by our historical standards and those of our peers today) or whether it's linked to a shortage of escorts

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Phil R
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by Phil R »

Smokey wrote:Apart from a Soviet “fishing” trawler...
Something fishy about those "trawlers"....
https://www.military.com/defensetech/20 ... o-trawlers

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

Post by benny14 »

dmereifield wrote:I'm not trying to run the RN down or pretend I know better, I'm just trying to understand better whether such practices today are typical (by our historical standards and those of our peers today) or whether it's linked to a shortage of escorts
I think a bit of both. Lack of escort availability is likely a factor, but I think that if we needed to we could muster one, especially with HMS Somerset been in Gibraltar. The threat level is pretty much none existent, the only possible thing I could think of is Russian submarines trying to track her signature. There are several escorts out and about at the moment, so it may have a vessel linking up with it shortly, maybe HMS Somerset after a quick resupply in Gibraltar. There are also no doubt multiple NATO vessels lurking around the area.

The French have before deployed their carrier to the gulf with only a single frigate and supply ship of their own. Later linking up with other vessels including a type 23. Not sure about their sea trials though. An interesting thing I found was that during sea trials on its way to the US, the Charles de Gaulle's propeller broke off and it had to return home. They also had several other propeller related issues.

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

Post by SKB »


Image

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The Armchair Soldier
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by The Armchair Soldier »

QEC Eye in the SKY wrote:
That's probably the best shot of HMS QE I've ever seen.

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QEC Eye in the SKY
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by QEC Eye in the SKY »

The Armchair Soldier wrote:
QEC Eye in the SKY wrote:
That's probably the best shot of HMS QE I've ever seen.
I thought the very same! Imagine looking over the horizon and seeing that coming in your direction with F35's onboard.....

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

Post by SKB »


Image

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

Post by djkeos »

It's Augusta in Sicily now! :angel:

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

Post by PhillyJ »

Smokey wrote:HMS Ark Royal (IV) would frequently Transit the North Atlantic unescorted at the height of the Cold War.

Apart from a Soviet “fishing” trawler...
A long time ago I admit, but didn't she take out one of those 'trawlers' in an accident?

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

Post by SKB »


Image
Image Image
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^ HMS Portland?!
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Wrekin1410
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by Wrekin1410 »

According to AIS Marine she was off the coast of Malta at 14:30 GMT

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

Post by KyleG »

SKB wrote: ^ HMS Portland?!
Aside from when useful for photo ops (like the HMS QE marked ones), the RN don't often give a lot of attention to what markings are on which airframe. The Merlins move around squadrons and assignments too often for it to be worthwhile changing them. ZH860 was given tiger markings by 814 Sqn but I don't think there is a Merlin HM squadron that it hasn't seen service with since then.

Wrekin1410
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by Wrekin1410 »

“Rotary wing flying trials are progressing well and now also include night flying. All aspects of flying from our new ship are being tested and verified, from routines and procedures right down to the optimal brightness of lighting on the deck. #QNLZAtSea“

Would be great to see some images of the night flying.


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

Post by benny14 »

Wrekin1410 wrote:According to AIS Marine she was off the coast of Malta at 14:30 GMT
Does anyone know if this is true? I looked and AIS positioned it off Malta. I was under the impression that she was in the Atlantic west of Spain.

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

Post by hovematlot »

benny14 wrote:
Wrekin1410 wrote:According to AIS Marine she was off the coast of Malta at 14:30 GMT
Does anyone know if this is true? I looked and AIS positioned it off Malta. I was under the impression that she was in the Atlantic west of Spain.
I was surprised that AIS had her off Malta. I would have thought there would have been some news of Merlins or Chinooks going into Malta to pick up mail/stores etc. Seems quite a long way east. Although maybe the weather conditions further west towards Gibraltar isn't compatible with this particular phase of the trials?

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

Post by KyleG »

It's been suggested that the QE plot near Malta is actually one of the Echo-class ships. The latest plot from MT would suggest she's in Algeria ;)

https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/ho ... 861/zoom:7

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

Post by SKB »



Put in an ice skating rink and I'll be even more impressed. :twisted:

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

Post by Smokey »

HMS Queen Elizabeth now sailing overland somewhere between Oran and Tangiers.
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ArmChairCivvy
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by ArmChairCivvy »

Who said that they are merely nice, fat targets?
Ever-lasting truths: Multi-year budgets/ planning by necessity have to address the painful questions; more often than not the Either-Or prevails over Both-And.
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Sunk at Narvik
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by Sunk at Narvik »

"HMS Queen Elizabeth now sailing overland somewhere between Oran and Tangiers."

Doesn't surprise me. I did tell you those light wells under the sponsons were anti-grav engines, but no-one believed me.

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