The Prince of Wales

[paul463]

The new Aircraft Carrier under construction

[Chopper]

Must be a parallel universe. The local docs are sporting the HMAS Canberra, biggest ship the Aussie armed forces have ever owned. Not sure when it will be finished.

What is the Charlie going to wind up as, Paul?

[paul463]

An aircraft carrier, the second one we will have

[Red Laser]

Do we have any aircraft for it to carry? I thought Harriers had gone out of service.

[paul463]

Do we have any aircraft for it to carry? I thought Harriers had gone out of service.

Nope not for a few years yet.

[Chopper]

JSF F-35 Lightning's. Same rubbish the RAAF is buying.

Oddly, the HMAS Canberra is actually an aircraft carrier that was built in Spain. Its been the subject of much discussion because even though it was only intended to launch NH-90's it still has its ramp. And, as Paul was saying, the JSF will be in service soon(ish). Rumour has it that it has the potential to operate the STOL JSF's.

Strangely enough the Chinese have put some ex-Russian and Chinese built carriers into service for the first time and are making inroads into the Pacific. Now, here's where it gets interesting. So, Aussie may have the potential to launch their own carrier (more info later) and a new US Marine base has been set up in Darwin. Hmmm. Then, for the first time since the end of the ANZUS treaty fell apart NZ has been exercising with US troops on home soil. As well as exercising the ANZAC frigates in the US.

Also the Chinese have been getting chummy, chummy with smaller Pacific nations like Fiji and Tonga by giving them (dodgy) aircraft and the likes. To top it off the HMAS Melbourne (Aussies last carrier - retired in the 80's), was sold to the Chinese many moons ago for scrap. The Chinese didn't. Instead they used it to study Carrier technology before buying Ex-Soviet Carriers that the new Russian govt could not afford to keep.

So, what we have is new alliances between western nations in the South Pacific, the Chinese trying to form their own and armed forces being bolstered on my back door. Hmmmm. I could use Quickfire's input at this point.

Here is the new copter carrier. ;

[Quickfire]

JSF F-35 Lightning's. Same rubbish the RAAF is buying. Oddly, the HMAS Canberra is actually an aircraft carrier that was built in Spain. Its been the subject of much discussion because even though it was only intended to launch NH-90's it still has its ramp. And, as Paul was saying, the JSF will be in service soon(ish). Rumour has it that it has the potential to operate the STOL JSF's.

Must be the old Spanish Harrier v1 carrier. Think they used something like the AV8B or just the basic RAF Harrier of the early 80s (India must still use Sea Harrier v1 or about to decommission).

Which brings us to the STOL JSF. Has a critical problem. Called spalling or something. Because the thrust is not divided across as many points as on a Harrier, and as it is too heavy, and as the engine must get the hulking lump of skulking carcass into the air with a massive fuel load to feed the hungry engine ... ... .... in STOL mode the tarmac of runways is MELTING. And it doesn't exactly cool and reset as it was before ... Imagine what it will do even to reinforced surfaces on carriers. The moral of the story is NEVER BUILD A MACHINE UNLESS YOU'VE BUILT A PROTOTYPE FIRST THE REAL WORLD DOES NOT LIVE INSIDE CAD PROGRAMS.

So, what we have is new alliances between western nations in the South Pacific, the Chinese trying to form their own and armed forces being bolstered on my back door. Hmmmm. I could use Quickfire's input at this point.

Gladly. Not now ... but later...

[Chopper]

I'd heard that, Quicky. The JSF will probably be too hot to use on the Canberra. The Prince of Wales will also need some serious work.

As for where and when with China..... I dunno.

[paul463]

I did hear last weekend that they can't get a suitable paint for the deck due to the engine. They are testing it by popping it in to a blast furnace of all things!

[paul463]

Meant ti mention the Queen Elizabeth is sitting off to the right of the Prince of Wales, obscured by the grey building. I'll see if Ican get a better photo this weekend.