Where was HMS Illustrious going??

Why is it strange that the navy wont routinely have a full crew for both carriers Chris?. We dont have three full carrier tasked crews – one for each CVS – now?

The CVF’s will be largely utilised in a duty/extended readiness split so only one crew will be deploying for the greater percentage of the time. For emergency conditions a scratch team would be assembled to crew the second CVF and plans for how that would work will be well advanced now!. Why would we want to pay for a crew to sit in Rosyth watching yard workers hitting things with hammers?.

Chris: I heard that it was the Ark since she is the newest of the three. Also when the two new carriers come on line She is to be retained as a second Helo carrier to back up Ocean thus providing the RN with two Helo carriers since the cancelation of the second ship in the OCEAN class (retaining the Ark was seen as a cheaper option- can’t see how since she’d be getting on and parts would start to cost more).

Thanks for that Ja. Lets just say the UK government haven’t got the hang of cost cutting in the armed forces, as practically everything they do, backfires in the long run, seems it might happen again. I read in the papers today the Navy hasn’t got enough sailors to man the 2 new carriers, they reckon they need about 1000 new recruits. I think they will get out of this one though. Was quite funny as the article was titled HMS Crewless 😀

Why would this be any more or difficult with the Apache than with any other helicopter e.g. Chinook, Army Lynx? So, I have my doubts with that reason.

I know so do I :confused: According to navy websites, it was a success and the US military is very keen to follow suit.

also the apache (though I was informed by a Navy AET they are ditching the idea of the apache on ships because it would be a nightmare to maintain in sea conditions, with the salt water etc i’m not sure how true this is. Any takers?)

Why would this be any more or difficult with the Apache than with any other helicopter e.g. Chinook, Army Lynx? So, I have my doubts with that reason.

Chris: I heard that it was the Ark since she is the newest of the three. Also when the two new carriers come on line She is to be retained as a second Helo carrier to back up Ocean thus providing the RN with two Helo carriers since the cancelation of the second ship in the OCEAN class (retaining the Ark was seen as a cheaper option- can’t see how since she’d be getting on and parts would start to cost more).

That doesn’t make sence mate since they are to be deployed on HMS Ocean as it’s main force element!. But not putting them on the Carriers does make sence since the Carriers wouldn’t be able to accomidate the extra spares needed should an apache need some work done.

Basically I believe haldf of what was said but not all!

I agree, I was also mythed by it, as all the sea trials with the apache were conducted onboard HMS Ocean. Though the Invincible class carrier’s secondary role is to operate as helicopter amphibious ship, but Ocean has taken much of that role off of them. One of the Invincible class carriers (not sure which one) is going to stand in for HMS Ocean when she has her refit so maybe they are gearing up for that inevitability.

That doesn’t make sence mate since they are to be deployed on HMS Ocean as it’s main force element!. But not putting them on the Carriers does make sence since the Carriers wouldn’t be able to accomidate the extra spares needed should an apache need some work done.

Basically I believe haldf of what was said but not all!

The Ark is currently in Rosyth up in Scotland being prepared for her refit due to start early next year. I think the Ark has had some maintanance done down in Portsmouth the past year or so, but up in Rosyth they are adding a third mast to provide state of the art satellite and radio systems.
I am also led to believe they are renovating the flight deck to better suit the joint force harrier’s and also the apache (though I was informed by a Navy AET they are ditching the idea of the apache on ships because it would be a nightmare to maintain in sea conditions, with the salt water etc i’m not sure how true this is. Any takers?)

So what’s Ark up to then?

Theres no way you could get an aircraft carrier down that river, it’d be a tight fit for a WW2 motor torpedo boat, the river tends to twist quite a lot and with a lot of arched bridges, unless the Governments reduction of the MoD budget has meant the aircraft carrier is now 1/100th scale

Hahaha 😀 with recent cut backs you would probably believe the carriers were 1/100th scale.
I found a map view of Durham and like you say, theres certainly no way a carrier could fit down it.

For anyone interested HMS Invincible is docking up in Newcastle on the River Tyne (Tyne Commissioner’s Quay). That solves the Durham question :rolleyes:

Thanks! Was just wondering… I’ve never seen a carrier moving before… and it was close to the shore… without any visible escorts.

Theres no way you could get an aircraft carrier down that river, it’d be a tight fit for a WW2 motor torpedo boat, the river tends to twist quite a lot and with a lot of arched bridges, unless the Governments reduction of the MoD budget has meant the aircraft carrier is now 1/100th scale

Correct me if i’m wrong, but isn’t Durham inland? At least it was last time i went there earlier this year

Yeah I was thinking the same thing, just checked royal navy site and it definitely says Durham, there is a river I think that runs through it, big enough for an aircraft carrier im not sure :confused:

http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/static/pages/content.php3?page=9180

Correct me if i’m wrong, but isn’t Durham inland? At least it was last time i went there earlier this year

Hi guys,
Lusty has successfully finished her sea trials just in time for the Trafalgar celebrations at Portsmouth last month but it might be her. However I know Invincible is visiting her affiliated town of Durham to celebrate her 25th Anniversary in service this month (not sure on a precise date, hence it still could be Lusty) I would put my money on it being Invincible though :rolleyes:

Lusty has just come back to service after a refit, so I would say that it was Lusty. If she was heading North I guess she’d be heading to the work up area for her post refit trials which are conducted off the scottish coast IIRC.

What do you mean the only one in service? all three are technically still RN ships, just in differing states of readiness.