Agree with Rob, a GR10 or 11 is far more likely. The problem with the harrier has also been the lack of power in some situations and from what I have read the current engine is close to its technical limit in terms of output so I don’t see it changing much before retirement.

Tiddles, Just in front of the door is a 20 tonne vehicle lift that enables access down to the vehicle deck, so if required storage container units etc can be stored below. Its not really quite large enough for Helicopters though only being about the width of a truck. As others will testify the amount of deck space on these vessels is very large even with the shelter so storage shouldn’t really be an issue.

As we all know the problem is often people drinking their duty frees rather that what they were served by the cabin crew. I was on a flight earlier this year where a couple were detained once the plane landed. They were not causing trouble but they were seriously drunk and incapable of walking having consumed their duty frees either in the terminal or on board the plane. 🙁

Also try to visit the ex RN Chilean type 23 Condell. It is fresh from refit and in stunning condition. They got themselves an absolute bargain including a very nice Mod 1 gun that not all the RN type 23’s on display even have 😡

Most ships are worth a visit but there were long delays on the type 42 due to a particular tricky access ladder on the port side that was slowing people down so you might want to do that one early or give it a miss.

If any of you in the Uk are going to ‘Meet your Navy’ tomorrow in Portsmouth, there is a whole marquee dedicated to the CVF (with a model) and in one of the BVT sheds beside the tent a largish wrap round screen with a computerised CGI film of flight deck operations filmed from the forward Island that I found quite interesting as I don’t think its appeared on the net yet.

What was unusual was the way that it showed F-35’s landing, not on the runway centreline in the direction of ships travel per the Invincible class but pointing about 220 degrees off the centreline towards what I think is called the Port 3/4. I am not sure I understood why they show it this way. When I look at the latest CVF images that were issued when the announcement was made there are indeed 3 diagonal lines marked on the runway that look to be for acute angled landing purposes as being used in this latest simulation :confused:

While looking at some of the other computer information screens there I established that the CVF has 30 deck parking places and there would still appear be room enough to fly helicopters and F-35’s simultaneously if all positions were occupied. I guess thats the advantage of a big deck

Is that baggage that can be seen through the hole ? Do they sometimes load it loose as I thought it was always put in the containers long haul ?

Because the UK is so hot on Operational Sovereignty I don’t see any RC procurement being a long term solution, particularly ifthey can’t install all the technology that they want to. More of a stop gap until something better comes along.

Apart from this single report is there anything else more authoritive on this out there ?