HMS Queen Elizabeth

[renrich]

Just read a report that says that The UK is going to build two new 65000 ton aircraft carriers to be named Queen Elizabeth and Prince of Wales. Hope they follow though and build them to help share the load with the US. They will be the largest warships ever built by Britain.

 

[timshatz]

Hope they have better luck that the other two ships with those names.

 

[Aggie08]

No kiddin. For comparison, how big are our carriers? What will the new ships be outfitted with?

 

[ToughOmbre]

Nimitz class carriers go over 100,000 ton fully loaded.

TO

 

[Matt308]

.

 

[trackend]

I would of preferred some other names perhaps Indomitable ,Bulwark or Avenger, all previous carriers.
I also hope the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) proves itself
it seems a much neater device than the old steam catapult.
It's good that they are being built in the UK.
For a nation of our size I think the UK is doing its far share already Renrich perhaps it would be better if a few more nations that have sat on their arses did their share, Instead of standing on the sidelines watching and critisiing the nations involved in overseas duties.
S*** they don't even get involved in aid work while vessels Like USS ESSEX standby off Burma full of relief aid ready for the go ahead soon as those dick heads in power on shore sort their act out.

 

[Kruska]

I thought that England would have realized in the meantime that its colonial empire has vanished. Unless one wants to export his politics to other parts of the world, why should a country such as England need aircraft carriers? To protect the Falkland's and St. Helena? In order to conduct humanitarian actions?

Regards
Kruska

 

[Glider]

The UK has had more experience than most with the use of small carriers and their value has been proven time and again. Its worth noting that a number of countries have observed this and are building small/medium sized carriers, including France, India, Spain, China, Russia, Italy, Australia. Some such as Australia are going to use them as assult ships not carriers but the option is there. A number of British carriers have switched between Aircraft Carriers, Assult ships and back again.
They give the armed forces the priceless advantage of flexibility.

 

[trackend]

The British (not English) empire disappeared many years ago Kruska and we certainly have no illusions of that. But in order to meet the obligations that all members of the UN Nato have, and being a small Island race, having a viable sea power is vital to meet this and for our own protection.
Based on your premise no one should be able to project their military influence beyond their shores.
Sorry guys in the US looks like you're going to have to scrap your fleet and no long range aircraft Hang gliders and Row boats with shotguns only please .

 

[Kruska]

Hello trackend,

The US has projected its political views on this planet for the past 65 years, they are a superpower and want to stay one – most favorable – the only one, so aircraft carriers make sense, and don't forget, wherever they go they will enlighten the world with McD, KFC, Coca and Pepsi cola, and democracy who wants Fish Chips and a Queen

BTW, could you enlarge your avatar or make it a signature .... ah ... my mouth is getting watery...

Regards
Kruska

 

[Haztoys]

The sad part is you need a Carrier to pass even food out in some parts of the world ...

 

[Kruska]

The sad part is you need a Carrier to pass even food out in some parts of the world ...

Yes, crazy planet isn't it? Imagine how many cargo ships and food one could rent/buy for an aircraft carrier.

Regards
Kruska

 

[renrich]

The report says that the cost of the ships will be 8B dollars. They will carry F35B Lightning II strike fighters. The UK's other carriers are to be retired as these come on line. When you think about it, with the global economy we live in, keeping the sea lanes open is more important than ever and being able to project power into the littoral regions of the world is enjoyed by only a few nations. Our British cousins have stepped up and helped regularly and I hope they are able to follow through on this endeavor. An interesting point in the report was that no warship of this size has ever been built in Britain and a carrier had not been built in 20 years.

 

[trackend]

Hello trackend,

The US has projected its political views on this planet for the past 65 years, they are a superpower and want to stay one – most favorable – the only one, so aircraft carriers make sense, and don't forget, wherever they go they will enlighten the world with McD, KFC, Coca and Pepsi cola, and democracy who wants Fish Chips and a Queen

BTW, could you enlarge your avatar or make it a signature .... ah ... my mouth is getting watery...

Regards
Kruska

Harry Ramsdons Fish chips were very popular with the americans the last time I went to the Epcote center.
apart from that Chicken tikka massala is now officially the national dish of Britain

And I cant enlarge my avatar the last time I did her bra could'nt take the strain.

 

[timshatz]

Absolutely right Renich, sea lanes are huge. Never get any press but disrupt the shipping around the world and you would see major problems abound.

 

[Kruska]

And I cant enlarge my avatar the last time I did her bra could'nt take the strain.

Pffff...th .. holy sh..t almost spilled my coffee on the laptop

Well anyway enjoy those carriers. Unfortunatly Germany doesn't have one, they could name it "Neu Schwanstein" and promote more Bavarian beer, bretzels and sausages to the world. If the world sealanes are threatend we will count on the US fleet to do their very best as we did in the past 63 years.

Regards
Kruska

 

[Matt308]

Why do I find that somehow pathetic, Kruska. I hope you are kidding.

 

[Freebird]

Hope they have better luck that the other two ships with those names.

??? Huh?

The Queen Elizabeth {WWI Battleship} fought at Jutland, was flagship in the Gallipoli campaign 1915, in WWII in 1940 was damaged in the attack on Dakar, was flagship of the Mediterannean fleet 1941, mined by Italian frogmen repaired, then was flagship of the Eastern fleet in 1944 used her guns for shore bombardment in Indonesia Malaysia among others, finally the WWI warhorse was retired in 1946.

In the 1940's the 80,000 ton ocean liner QE2 was {along with sister ship} the largest ship in the world in 1942, and was fast enough to sail across the Atlantic ferrying American troops without escort, as the U-boats could not catch her. By 1943 she could carry up to 20,000 troops at a time.

Not too shabby....

I would of preferred some other names perhaps Indomitable ,Bulwark or Avenger.

Avenger Ark Royal - or Victorious Valiant would be my pick. {Illustrious Indomitable ok too}

Our British cousins have stepped up and helped regularly and I hope they are able to follow through on this endeavor. An interesting point in the report was that no warship of this size has ever been built in Britain and a carrier had not been built in 20 years.

Yes but don't forget the Aussies, and some Canucks too. One of the few silver linings in the otherwise pile of s**t that would be President Obama, perhaps once Bush is gone we can get a proper conservative government up north. {The liberals bash our Tories by comparing them to Bush stooges}

The British (not English) empire disappeared many years ago.

Never!!! {Oh bloody hell!}

Hello trackend,

who wants Fish Chips and a Queen

Regards
Kruska

Yes Trackend, we don't want any of your bloody useless British invensions here!

What kind of dingbat would think there would be any use for the steam engine, the telephone, the electric motor. {or the flush toilet?}

 

[Matt308]

 

[plan_D]

The British thought the telephone was useless when it was first invented... just like the De Havilland Mosquito was useless... and countless other wonderful creations. The dyson vacuum had to be taken to Japan to get backing and Dyson is a British person ! I'm sure no one outside of Britain has heard of dyson, but he invented bagless vacuum cleaners.