Yipee, we've got a new carrier.
 

This is a day to be remembered, we will have to wait to see if it is with pride or embarrassment.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/video_and_...-s-new-warship

The BBC Radio 5 Live (formerly known as Radio 2, and before that, the Light Program!) have been comparing HMS Queen Elizabeth all day to various things to give an impression of her size. Three football fields seemed to be the most frequent, but they tried Olympic swimming pools and a few others. I never heard how many Nelson's columns tall she is, or how many London buses they could fit in a funnel. Too bad the old Eagle comic isn't around these days to show how she works in one of their centrepiece cutaway illustrations.

Roy.

Looking at the photos on the Daily Mail on line today, given the smoke coming out of the funnel you would think she was blowing tubes.

[QUOTE=Too bad the old Eagle comic isn't around these days to show how she works in one of their centrepiece cutaway illustrations.

Roy.[/QUOTE]

Cutaways attached

Thanks Bob.

I wonder if Airfix will produce a model if they survive their current financial difficulties?
Somebody has already done the plans!

Roy.

Reports in today's press state the Russian defence minister says it makes a nice big target..... hardly a helpful thing to say.

I think this is a riposte provoked by us pointing out that his carrier seems to have some problems, just because it has a tug permanently attached and smokes like a 7 litre V8 after a salesmans decoke when short of oil.

See attached. There are around 400 R.N. members training in the U.S. at the moment as I understand it.

certainly seems to be something wrong with her. I have been following her on Marine Traffic. lots of twisting and turning going on. A couple od days ago they took her up to 27knots for a short period. Been anchored in the Cromarty Firth for around 24 hours now.

http://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/...ry:57.8/zoom:9

still at Anchor now. And I notice the Tud Smit Yare is close handy. (ran out of diesel...LOL)

I have observed the trawler Anna Louise is sticking alongside her. Maybe her nets are round queen marys prop. Trawler appears to be moored to her Port quarter

She is headed into Invergordon now with 3 tugs in attendance.

Thanks for the updates, Billyboy. I forgot for a moment you were using the web to monitor her movements. I thought you must have a cracking pair of binoculars!

Cheers,

Roy.

She has Anchored there now and so have 4 tugs.
Oh looks like the Tug Strathgordon is heading for the Pub!

http://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/...57.685/zoom:15

He he my eyes are not so good Dart Skipper....I use this and zoom in.

Anna Louise is a fast launch normally used to transfer workers to and from rigs in the Cromarty and Moray Firths.On this occasion possibly transferring shipyard workers.Smit Yare is attached to the military.I think for training purpose for aircrew.Coastal tanker passed here Burghead yesterday bound Invergordon from Portsmouth so possibly some type of fuel for Queen Elizabeth.Most tankers up this way are from Grangemouth or Immingham

thank you John Fraser for the heads up.

A bit smaller than the USA carriers and not nuclear

lets see.....several days at anchor and now a week alongside in Invergordon....methinks something is wrong that needs work doing to it.

Shes back at sea. off Cromarty firth!

It seems that every time lately I have made a large investment in buying something, something has gone wrong shortly after it's delivery which takes the shine off a transaction that has had to be thought out and budgeted for. It seems it can happen to countries as well as individuals, but has this happened here?

Due in Portsmouth soon

http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/def...oast-1-8092732

John she is still effectively on Builders Trials and in this case being module construction she was built in sections by other Shipbuilders who will be onboard to guarantee the module they have built.
Trials can be frustrating even on Merchant Vessels which have a lot less systems than this giant Aircraft Carrier, it will take time to get things settled down and hopefully (to quote the often used statement) lessons will be learnt in regards to making improvements to the next build. Sister ships are never identical, the thinking used to be, never sail on the first of the series as they are the prototype and never sail on the last of the series as they are usually the "bitsza build".
At the moment the Bow has not fallen off which happened to one of those super duper Japanese builds which were often quoted as being better built.
As there are only two Carriers being built the choice is prototype or lessons learned vessel.

She works! Someone has landed on her!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotlan...lands-40910087

Start small and then build up?

Heading for the Firth of the Clyde at the moment. Wonder if she will run the Skelmorlie Mile. She has been taken up to 27 knots already.

Now abeam of lands end. think it will turn left. Drivers got his left hand out the window. Making good time. 28.3 knots. think she will dock in Pompey tomorrow morning.

She is arriving at 0710 tomorrow. Roads will be closed along Southsea seafront, but I think a park and ride will be in operation. I have just listened to the leader of Portsmouth Council on BBC Radio Solent who said arriving a couple of days earlier than planned has given them a few headaches security wise, but they are ready for her. Radio Solent is covering her arrival live, and because it can be picked up on line, members from all over the world will be able to listen.

She's abeam of Portland now. I have enjoyed watching her progress on Marine traffic. Once officially in the hands of the Royal Navy I doubt if we will be able to see her again on Marine Traffic for security reasons.

Just seen and photographed her off St Catherines Point Isle of Wight. She has since travelled further west, and I can see her from my bedroom window.

Not visible from Malton. :>}

Now she's at Nab Tower. connecting up with 4 tugs. Indulgent and Tempest.Independant closing on hwer as well as Bountiful. HMS Hurworth as security vessel.

What is the purpose/role of the 'security vessel', please?.

Keeping small craft away which could contain explosives or mad yachtsmen trying to cut across her Bow.:shock: m

There was a lot of security prior to her arrival such as roads closed with access to the sea such as along Southsea seafront and Old Portsmouth etc. Feries were stopped entering the harbour, and even the hovercraft, which does not even enter Portsmouth harbour was delayed.

Thanks Chadburn.
Keep elephants away too I see. :jester:

Seen approaching Portsmouth for the first time on the 16th August 2017

Seems an awfully big ship to carry 5 helicopters.

Bob

Far better pictures than mine taken off St Catherines.

Thanks David, could have done with a bit more light though.

Regards

Bob