The thing is I think we need to decouple some capabilities from taskings and have a hard think about what we want to do. I have advocated that before especially in the area of SAR support.

Personally long range SAR top cover support should be done by the Coast Guard using turn key leased business type jet conversions. When it comes to ASW/ASuW I think a long range jet powered UAV solution for the surveillance side of operations coupled with a type like the C295m for prosecuting targets is far more attractive. They should be a FAA asset with sensor operators coming from the Merlin community, as for pilots it could be an opportunity for the FAA to maintain a larger pilot pool. If all pilots in the FAA who qualify on the F35B have to rotate onto the C295m squadron for periods of time the pilot pool is increased and it makes them more attractive when they enter the civilian airline world.

I agree, there is a clear arguement for the MCA (coastguard) DEFRA (fisheries) to contribute to the MOD budget for C295M type. This would cover longer range Search to support and then provide top cover on any rescue.
DEFRA’s Marine Monitoring Organisation have a contract with Directflight Ltd, for aerial surveillance. Combined SAR training fisheries surveillance flights would cover this, with the funding to Directflight going towards the C295M costs and upkeep.
The C295M could be ordered in two groups, for the above role fitted for but not with, and the full military fitted with group. The differences would be on the prosecution side. MAD, Sonar Buoys (other group may carry marker buoys) and any weapons fit.
The first group could be upgraded to full military version if required at relatively short notice should there be a need.

Regardless of the Mock up / real aircraft / which aircraft is it debate.

Why would it be transported without a cockpit canopy. The images clearly show the front of the cockpit elevation but then the “tarp” flattens out the to fuselage level.

On waja2000’s large image, it has a red arrow drawn over it, the top of the arrow head could almost point to a second cockpit instrumentation hump in front of a second seat ?? with the rear of a double cockpit approx a third of the was along the arrow back towards the wing.

Or am I just seeing things

Looks superb. One question though what do you polish it with?

A great deal of care

Almost every time I try to post, at the moment, my computer freezes-up and I have to close my browser and try again; anybody else having similar problems?

I think it is something to do with the adverts that are being run? :confused:

I’m getting this with my Ipad on here and another site.

Working on my PC with Firefox no issues

After many years of squeezing into the end of the very small workshop that they are using to catch a glimpse of the various bits being hand crafted. I have to say that it’s amazing to see it finally coming together in to something resembling an aircraft.

A tremendous effort by the folks at APSS and East Fortune.

The two were also discussed and compared in the Baby Grizzly thread as well

A bit of a back to basics question here based on CATOBAR design …

Given that the QE is being built in sections around the country, and brought to Rosyth.

Have the sections where the EMALs internal bits (not the rail or shuttle), been built yet? If these parts were ordered now, could they be incorporated still at this stage without having the tear what’s already built apart.

Presumably if PoW is going to have EMALs the internal bits will be included at whichever shipyard is building that section, as I’ve read that sections are actually being fitted out for purpose before being transported to Rosyth.

Having said that, hasn’t work already started on PoW at some sites, that have already completed their QE sections?