Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers - News and Discussion

[Captain Thundebolt]

An unofficial TAG (tailored air group) mentioned by a friend in a position to know was:
12 F35B, 6 Merlin HM2, 4 Merlin HC3, 4 AEW, and 2 WildCat.
However it seems the Boffins at Qinetiq reckon you could fit (wait for it):
48 F35B, 4 AEW, 8 Merlin HM2, 2 Chinook, 2 WildCat, and 4 Merlin HC4.
Admittedly this would be tight squeeze and no room to even pet the cat let alone swing it. It seems the present proposed TAG would be below deck at all times whereas if above deck parking was used the above could apply.
There seems to be a move afoot to use the carriers as a power projection platform with the group being able to land a composite marine battalion with air support, deep strike ability, and a fifth generation air superiority capability.
I suppose we will have to wait and see but if the books are finally balanced and the Army can be retweaked at a reasonable cost then we might just see it!

Now that would be called placing all your eggs in one basket.

48 B’s on the one boat if only 40 were operational and the other 8 in various states of maintenance you are either going to be pulling a lot of RAS or time on station for such short periods that it would not be beneficial one of the reasons HMAS Melbourne did not join the gun line in SVN even though the US wanted her there to provide a dedicated ASW carrier capability, but she could only stay on station for 10 day compared to 25/30 for a US fleet carrier. Also with 48 at this stage that’s the entire fleet for the carriers when QE comes in and POW goes out she either goes out as an LPH only or you’re flogging you fast jet to death and you will end up with 2 very large LPH.

How long is the predicted time on station for QE with 36 JSF on board at max sortie rate?

[SKB]

Post deleted

[Captain Thundebolt]

QE 3d model with "islands" (lol!)

Attachment 192533

Looks like a plan for a floating casino!!!

[SKB]

QE Diagram Update! (Monday 24th December 2012)
PORT SIDE added to diagram! (Idea suggested by wrekin)

SP07 Lower has been lifted and fitted to LB04.
Also, what appears to have been the Skeg has been lifted by Goliath from the bow-end storage area down behind LB04 into the Skeg's position.

Click 3 times for fullscreen
Attachment 192534

[bob1949]

SKB thats an outstanding piece of work..

[cyrilranch]

sorry though jdam meant the lower SP07 lift ,Not the joint up

[90inFIRST]

Can't see it myself..............

[wrekin]

What can I say but thanks! I hope that as part are added to the sides - walk ways, ship's boats egress etc., that even the Port side will have interest as the build progresses to the detailing.

As for the latest 3D model - WOW - (ACA team please note!)

Now I hope you'll get a little sleep - you certainly seem to be hooked. Many, many thanks and Happy Christmas to you and all.

[serge 750]

QE 3d model with temporary "islands" (lol!)

Attachment 192533

Congrats yet again SKB,the islands are wicked! the person by the ski jump really gives the huge size of these babys and yet another mention on twitter by liger! your going to be almost as famous as CJ!

[SDL]

Pompy CCTV camera updated to Dec 19th...

http://www.1blueharbour.com/aircraft...hires/0106.jpg

http://www.1blueharbour.com/aircraft...hires/0096.jpg

[cockneyjock1974]

Congrats yet again SKB,the islands are wicked! the person by the ski jump really gives the huge size of these babys and yet another mention on twitter by liger! your going to be almost as famous as CJ!

CJ famous naw! I've met him and he's a t**t

[SKB]

CJ, any chance you could get a ride on Santa's sleigh when he flies over Rosyth tonight? Get some photo's of the skeg area of QE!

[cockneyjock1974]

CJ, any chance you could get a ride on Santa's sleigh when he flies over Rosyth tonight? Get some photo's of the skeg area of QE!

I'm afraid it's nearly dark already so no can doey!!

@Jdam it's funny I thought she moved yesterday, she's not joined up but she seems closer, I didn't report as I didn't want to mislead and i thought it was the light, but it may be a possibility that they've inched it closer! Also the walkways on SB02 appear to be retracted and are lying dockside by the towers.

[SKB]

Just been watching Camera 2 of the Rosyth timelapse. As Jdam says, it appears QE actually moved in the last few frames. Might just be wind blowing the camera, a vicious seagull attacking the camera - OR the skid might have started! Out of curiosity, how long would it take to skid the superblock back 19 metres?

[wrekin]

I'm afraid it's nearly dark already so no can doey!!

@Jdam it's funny I thought she moved yesterday, she's not joined up but she seems closer, I didn't report as I didn't want to mislead and i thought it was the light, but it may be a possibility that they've inched it closer! Also the walkways on SB02 appear to be retracted and are lying dockside by the towers.

CJ we need to get you some night vision photo equipment for the scottish winter