Typhoon with Canadian built and integrated CFTs plus a few other bits to sweeten the purchase. Anyone else want’s CFTs for their Typhoons then Canada is where they are built.
It doesn’t even have to be the gold plated variety, Principally A2A with some A2G. Maybe even have the RCAF and RAF work together with industry on a new Maritime missile something the RAF no longer has available to it. Never know it might fit on an F35 … though perhaps not “in” an F35

The most likely outcome now appears to be the closure of Leuchars instead.
The Tornado GR4 Squadrons such as 617° will move to Marham and be centralized there.

Leuchar’s Typhoons Squadrons (the 6°, 43° and possibly 111°) would transfer to Lossie, which would become the new QRA Alert North centre. The 15° Squadron, the Tornado OCU, would remain in Lossiemouth along with the Tornado training equipment and simulator.

They have just spent a fortune on converting Leuchars from a Tornado base into a Typhoon base.

The government dare not be seen to have wasted that money by having to spend the same amount again converting another Tornado base into a Typhoon base.

Since the F35C will be centralized in a single squadron, at least initially, Lossie could still get the F35 Squadron replacing the 15° in 2020, but if, as planned, the F35 fleet expands successively, the other squadrons might be based somewhere else. (Marham…?)

I don’t think the RAF wants a Strike platform as QRA asset. Besides, there will only be ONE active squadron of F35C at least for the first times, and they will never be that many even in the best case.
So, no. It does not appear plausible to expect them to cover the QRA role as well.
Besides, you’d have to re-relocate once more the 3 Typhoon Squadrons. I don’t think it makes sense.

Use Lossie as the Main operating base for the F35C fleet initially, chances are we’ll get shore based F35C before QE is fully ready. If the RAF are to ge a number of F35Cs then as numbers build the Navy can move back south as we reach muliple squadron strengths.

A lot of English based media have gone on about basing F35 at Lossie and it being so far away from the Carrier’s base. Why not use that to it’s advantage. On each return to base the Carrier does a tour of the UK with fly pasts etc as flag waving exercises to boost recruitment etc. Drops off its aircraft and lets remember it doesn’t exactly have to dock at Lossie to off load, before heading back.

Some more fundamental questions…

Are their 60 E/Fs available “sitting on a shelf” somewhere available to be leased?

What would be the lead time in generating these aircraft?

What would be the conversion time for RN pilots/RAF Pilots and WSOs (excluding the few on exchange), even for shore based operations ?

And of course what current equipment could the RAF/RN sling under them immediately on arrival?

Amazing photos, I look up at aircraft turning onto finals for Edinburgh, but hadn’t really thought about what the views are like for the pilot. Especially in the current winter wonderland.

These aircraft are possible one of if not the best procurement by a Government of any flavour in perhaps living memory.

Yes they may have been bought for a purpose in ‘stan, but these are the sort of aircraft that can “police” border disputes from miles away in a peacekeeping role in a way that would otherwise require soldiers every 100 yards or less with infra red binoculars scanning the horizon.

Just one very small example I’m sure of it’s capability.

The coloured paint on the doors for the nose wheels, while painted to be corrdct with the gear up, really makes the front end very strange. It looks more like a fairing for a sensor or gun or something rather than a door.

Partilcularly on image 1 of post 150 where the angled landing gear struts give the effect of the doors being tear drop shaped back under the fuselage.

Or maybe it’s just me 😉

A lot of people are biased towards Canon and Nikon because the Sony Alpha range is aimed at the enthuasist and those new to DSLR photography and because of that they are dismissed as being a bit basic.

I seem to do alright with my Sony Alpha and there are plenty of models in the range to chose from depending on your budget and there are pleny of lens available, from Sony/Sigma/Tamron, to fit them.

Sony Alpha Range

Brian

The only thing with the Sony range as I found out is that the 290/330/390 range uses different batteries to the rest of the range It uses video camera batteries which to be honest aren’t that great. Also because they call it the beginner range, there is no battery grip available so the extra battery needs to be carried around.

Getting back to the CVF’s construction ( a novel idea I know)

Going past Rosyth the other day, there was a forrest of cranes around the dock that’s being modified but as yet no sign of the Goliath Crane that’s supposed to be up by now.

Or have I missed an announcement that they aren’t using a Goliath afterall ?