Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

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

Post by bobp »

Caribbean wrote:The closing scene from Raiders of the Lost Ark, isn't it?


Yes it is.

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

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bobp wrote:
Caribbean wrote:The closing scene from Raiders of the Lost Ark, isn't it?

Yes it is.
Correct! :clap:
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PhillyJ
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

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Busy on QNLZ this lunchtime, 3 Merlins landed so far, 1 of which was equipped with Crowsnest. Getting my own helicopter airshow here today.

Ron5
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

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Timmymagic wrote:
Jensy wrote:With the Wildcats going on the escorts, I wonder if anything is going to be operated from the RFAs? Fort Victoria could happily take three Merlins and Tidespring one more.
Looks like they might be centralising Merlin operations on the QE on this trip. Otherwise I'd have expected to see the Merlin Mk.4 on the Fort Vic and Tidespring.
HC4's will be on the RFA's, there was a photo of the squadrons stores piling up in one of their hangars featuring a barbers chair. I think Victoria.

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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by Ron5 »

Max Jones wrote:
serge750 wrote:
Max Jones wrote:I've been hearing a drop in Merlin numbers from 12 to 10 (lost a couple HM2s). Bit of a shame but the additional 4 F-35Bs seem to balance it out nicely.
The drop in HM2 could it be that they are not counting the couple used as Crowsnest ASaC ?
Originally it was nice HM2s, in a 6+3 combination of ASW to AEW. Now they are just saying 7 split between both so presumably 4+3 or maybe the kits will move between airframes.
2 baggers and 5 pingers??


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

Post by SKB »

2x Crowsnest "Bagger" Merlins are nearest to QE's aft island, tails folded. :thumbup:
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Royal Navy website with QE+Crowsnsest news article & 12 photos.
https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-l ... on-carrier

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

Post by Timmymagic »

Not seen this reported so far...


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

Post by SKB »

Apparently, the USMC landed ten F-35B's at RAF Lakenheath over two days, with five arriving on Monday 26th and another five on Tuesday 27th.

Monday 26th April 2021

(Aviation Highlights) 26th April 2021
F-35B WAKE ISLAND AVENGERS ARRIVAL APRIL 26 2021
Tuesday 27th April 2021

(Aviation Highlights) 27th April 2021
Ahead of the deployment of HMS Queen Elizabeth next month, five United States Marine Corps F-35B Lightning IIs arrived at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk last night with a further five due to arrive later tonight (27/04/21). These USMC Lightnings will work alongside their RAF and RN counterparts during the largest naval and air task force under British command since the Falklands War in 1982. They will set sail from Portsmouth to the Indo-Pacific region and are expected to visit several countries including Japan and South Korea.

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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by Ron5 »

Ron5 wrote:
Timmymagic wrote:
Jensy wrote:With the Wildcats going on the escorts, I wonder if anything is going to be operated from the RFAs? Fort Victoria could happily take three Merlins and Tidespring one more.
Looks like they might be centralising Merlin operations on the QE on this trip. Otherwise I'd have expected to see the Merlin Mk.4 on the Fort Vic and Tidespring.
HC4's will be on the RFA's, there was a photo of the squadrons stores piling up in one of their hangars featuring a barbers chair. I think Victoria.

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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by Ron5 »

Nice photie of the baggers ..

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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

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And the Marines getting in the swing of things ,,

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

Post by jimthelad »

That is so they can get in to the bar!!! Seriously though, This deployment really is historic. The USN now views the QE class as a peer for operations due to the density of 5 gen aircraft. They have a huge problem with deck availability due to usage, maintenance, issues with GRF class, and with the Marines getting hatcheted by Gen Berger.Tthey do not have enough deck space for their F35 or roles to fill with the new Missile Marine concept.

The mindset of the USMC is far more in tune with the RN and traditionally (by necessity) we have operated our carriers closer to hostile shores. That latter point is significant with the several retired senior USN officers expressing their horror in how close we put our nuclear boats inshore and that we sent a T45 into the areas around Crimea so soon after the occupation.

The USMC are a real bunch of pros who are great to be on ops with. Their recon elements cross-trained with us and I had the privilege to be paired with a USMC 2Lt when I did the pararescue course at Benning (i got on better with him than the more aligned Rangers!).

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

Post by bobp »

jimthelad wrote:The USN now views the QE class as a peer for operations
Definitely expect more joint ops in the future.

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

Post by PhillyJ »

Keeping an eye on the QHM movements website as hopefully they should be confirming certain sailings for tomorrow. :shh:

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

Post by inch »

Personally If the USMC asked to borrow HMS pow to fill a shortfall in operations / availability we should gladly do so with all the help they've given us ,not just to get the qe class up and running but tbh since ww2 , always had our backs ,at least they could try the full 36 f35 onboard and see how they get on with it ,plus would inform us years ahead of uk ever being able to field such capabilities ,not that would be a core asset I'm sure USMC / USN would appreciate ,even if we were crewing it

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

Post by inch »

Also should be said looking forward to operations with French c De g in med ,great photo op also should be also said with great thanks to France for keeping our skills alive thru the lean yrs ,we take the mick out of each other but they also helped us out when we needed it

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

Post by PhillyJ »

Confirmed now on QHM website so I can say nipper is off for a jaunt on PWLS, departing about 1450, passing Round Tower 1505 onwards I guess.

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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by Ron5 »

PhillyJ wrote:Confirmed now on QHM website so I can say nipper is off for a jaunt on PWLS, departing about 1450, passing Round Tower 1505 onwards I guess.
It's been a while. Hopefully soon to be qualifying the F-35.

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

Post by Jdam »

Very happy to hear this, It is also a good show for the Navy having the ability to put 2 carrier out to sea at once. :thumbup:

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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

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I agree, but they should be given the necessary resources (3rd QEC etc.) to do it 365/6 days per year should that be needed. :mrgreen:

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

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PoW departure from Princess Royal Jetty at 14:50, Friday 30th April 2021.
https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/qhm/portsm ... 30/04/2021

Didn't see that coming... :wtf: Might be a two carriers at sea photo op coming, although theres no sailing day listed for QE... yet?

Bring Deeps
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by Bring Deeps »

Surely now we will get the long awaited family photo of the two carriers presumably with the added bonus of 'planes' and 'escorts'.

Max Jones
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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by Max Jones »

How much of the Carrier Strike Group is assembling off Scotland? If the full force is there - aircraft and allies include - it would be amazing to see POW join them briefly for a full size battle group with two carriers at the centre.

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

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Interesting article from USNI News care of a tweet from Gabriele Molinelli giving details on how the Marine squadron will operate on board and what they are hoping to learn.

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Re: Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

Post by Bring Deeps »

SKB wrote:QHM Portsmouth for Friday 30th April 2021:
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https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/qhm/portsm ... 30/04/2021

Didn't see that coming... :wtf: Might be a two carriers at sea photo op coming, although theres no sailing day listed for QE... yet?
Navy Lookout said in a tweet VMFA-211 embarking on board next week, presumably at sea.

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