UK Defence Forum

SKB wrote:

Mayport, QE and Monmouth circled in pink....

Unless it jogs south (which seems pretty unlikely) she should be fine, and if it does she can sortie and run down the coast to avoid it. As far as I know Mayport hasn't set Sortie Condition Bravo, so our Navy is expecting it to be missed by anything worth worrying about.

Halidon wrote:Unless it jogs south (which seems pretty unlikely)...

Agreed, with two caveats. First, we're still 3-4 days away from landfall which is plenty of time of the track to deviate from the expected, especially if the ridge to the north strengthens more than predicted though, that said, the various models are pretty consistent with track prediction at present.

Second, there is potential for Florence to intensify even more than expected, which will result in a still larger hurricane with a correspondingly wider wind field at landfall. Latest NHC guidance says: 'The bottom line is that there is increasing confidence that Florence will be a large and extremely dangerous hurricane, regardless of its exact intensity.' And, elsewhere, the largest hurricane to hit the Carolinas in the past 30 years.

Hello, we are from Great Britain and we brought some wind and rain...

Sunk at Narvik wrote:Hello, we are from Great Britain and we brought some wind and rain...

You brought a ship with relief supplies and helicopters, I think some of my fellow Americans will be quite glad to see QE later this week.

Pffft. QE should steer clear of helping Americans, besides, those supplies are for the Caribbean and Commonwealth countries.

A few years ago, BBC Top Gear's Clarkson, Hammond and May were challenged to drive US vehicles through the southern states and sell their cars when they reached New Orleans. On arrival there, and after experiencing the wreckage and damage there, they instead donated their cars for free to a local Christian mission to try and help the hurricane victims. One car was taken, but Top Gear then got a $20,000 lawsuit for "misrepresentation" because one donated car wasn't of the exact production year advertised....

Clive F wrote:Not sure if this question has been asked before (332 pages is a lot to go thro'), Could an BN islander take off / land on a QE? If so could crowsnest be fitted? Would that save much (£) over Merlins? Would it be of benefit freeing up the Merlins?

There were tests done on Hawkeyes for the Indian Navy. This was with the land based ramp the U.S.A.F. had in the 1980s the tests raised issues with the compression of the nose wheel on entry of the ramp. The Indian navy ere looking at using them on Ex Hermes . Refitting the arrestor gear as the compartment was still intact They were going to use the Hawkeyes S.T.B.A.R. It was feasible but required modifications to the aircraft nose gear.

SKB wrote:Pffft. QE should steer clear of helping Americans, besides, those supplies are for the Caribbean and Commonwealth countries.

A few years ago, BBC Top Gear's Clarkson, Hammond and May were challenged to drive US vehicles through the southern states and sell their cars when they reached New Orleans. On arrival there, and after experiencing the wreckage and damage there, they instead donated their cars for free to a local Christian mission to try and help the hurricane victims. One car was taken, but Top Gear then got a $20,000 lawsuit for "misrepresentation" because one donated car wasn't of the exact production year advertised....

Yes, it's not like the USA has ever helped us is it. So because of one silly incident you would deny thousands of people some much needed help. Now you are going to tell me your remark was made tongue in cheek. Sad.

Neither of these sentiments seems very "Christian". If we are well placed to help, I'm sure that we would!

SKB wrote:Pffft. QE should steer clear of helping Americans, besides, those supplies are for the Caribbean and Commonwealth countries.

A few years ago, BBC Top Gear's Clarkson, Hammond and May were challenged to drive US vehicles through the southern states and sell their cars when they reached New Orleans. On arrival there, and after experiencing the wreckage and damage there, they instead donated their cars for free to a local Christian mission to try and help the hurricane victims. One car was taken, but Top Gear then got a $20,000 lawsuit for "misrepresentation" because one donated car wasn't of the exact production year advertised....

Childish and immature. But then I expected nothing less from an internet fanboi.

SKB wrote:Pffft. QE should steer clear of helping Americans, besides, those supplies are for the Caribbean and Commonwealth countries.

A few years ago, BBC Top Gear's Clarkson, Hammond and May were challenged to drive US vehicles through the southern states and sell their cars when they reached New Orleans. On arrival there, and after experiencing the wreckage and damage there, they instead donated their cars for free to a local Christian mission to try and help the hurricane victims. One car was taken, but Top Gear then got a $20,000 lawsuit for "misrepresentation" because one donated car wasn't of the exact production year advertised....

Childish and immature. But then I expected nothing less from an internet fanboi.

When was the last time we didn't help out those in need? Even the ones we don't really like!?!

Anyway, it'll be another good test of QE and her crew if help is needed.

Here's hoping she isn't needed

I(for the first and only time) would be completely fine if the F35 trials are put on hold to go down and help the people out, its just right, that's the overseas territories down there and anyone and everyone who wants our help. If it means postponing a few tests to go and save peoples lives and make them better then that sounds ok to me! It'll suck because I want to see that jet on the carrier as fast as humanely possible but needs must.
I really think we ought be doing more in the west indies anyway, taking more care of the territories and commonwealth countries there, especially after all they've been through recently!

PoW gets new CO

QE to head south


Hurricane Florence update

Perfect weather to put the ship through some tests and some good pics of waves breaking over the bow lol

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/a-story ... idnt-hear/

Link to a UK Defence Journal good news story about the crew of HMS Queen Elizabeth while in Mayport as a counterpoint to the previous stories.

She didn't leave port?

I don't believe she's in the path of the hurricane atm...

Little J wrote:She didn't leave port?

It should mostly avoid Florida. Carolina is however going to get devastated. I think there is a high chance we will offer to help out, rather than just sail on past.

I just had the (wrong) impression that they were going to play it safe - get well clear in case it turned, then return to help out our cousins where ever it was needed.

Latest in-depth video commentary from TT on Florence:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vBtniLYSfM

Looks like landfall will commence later today (EDT), but interesting just how much uncertainty there as to exact track, wind speeds, rainfall, storm surges etc even just 1-2 days out. High confidence that Mayport will escape the main storm threat, but may be on the fringes on one of the track scenarios.

Cyclone downgraded, but they can do un-predictable things even so...

Keithdwat579 wrote:I really think we ought be doing more in the west indies anyway, taking more care of the territories and commonwealth countries there, especially after all they've been through recently!

There is still significant damage and destruction in the Caribbean after previous hurricanes from up to 2yrs ago. When you see the after effects (plenty of vids on youtube) and how little support there has been for rebuilding, it is disheartening.

Florence is a tiddler compared to the one about to smash into the Philippines, Super Typhoon Mangkhut has 160 mph (255 km/h) winds....
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-45517803