Hms illustrious

[Gazzas86]

I served on Lusty back in 06, I was the Radar Maintainer on board, my Mess was up on 2 deck right under 2 spot where the harrier's used to land, every time the harriers used to take off part of the deck head would fall down and we would have to dive for cover. After getting promoted on board I moved down to 6 Deck where it was a little quieter, It was an amazing sight seeing all 4 Olly's at max power and going along at 30+ knots, During my time onboard we spent a fair bit of time over in the states working with the US Marines, they set a record for the most take off's / landings in a 24 hr period, visited New York, and Norfolk VA,

Where I currently work in the dockyard I can see Lusty out my window, and it's such a shame seeing pieces of her getting stripped away each day, I've been on her a few times recently to get some spare parts for other ships and it's a bit weird walking around with all the lights out, especially in the hangar when it's pitch black... I don't hang around long!

[wildcat45]

2S7 and the cabins round there could be noisy when the jets took off.

I spent a couple of nights in a cabin round 6R. It was near the AFT lift I assume. Warning tones and hydraulic noises all night long.

[Cold]

Weather permitting, Illustrious leaves for the great marina in the sky next Wednesday (7th Dec). Tomorrow sees her being manoeuvred to a tidal berth within the harbour in preparation for the tow to Turkey.

[T66ORA]

She's out of the basin and along side North west wall. Ready for the tow next week.

[hidetheelephants]

They've really gone out of their way to delay the tow until a really stty time of year weatherwise.

[Cold]

Wednesday morning. She should begin her final journey at 9:30AM and pass through the harbour entrance (exit?) around 9:45AM - weather permitting of course.

[wildcat45]

What's the tog called? I couldn't see it in the shipping movements list.

[donutsina911]

wildcat45 said:

What's the tog called? I couldn't see it in the shipping movements list.

Bountiful, Indulgent, Suzanne plus others are listed on Queen's Harbour Master Shipping Movements:

http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/qhm/portsmouth/shippin...

Listed as slipping NWW at 0930, so shouldn't be too long before she's passing Round Tower.

[jmilsom]

I did my apprenticeship at RR and for 9 years onwards working on mainly the Olympus but Tyne and Spey also.

Such simplistic engines to work on and much more enjoyable to work on than the turbofans nowadays.

I would have loved to see the engine in berth but sadly never had the chance

[Cold]

She's left. A bit of a crowd to see her off, but quite quiet as she drifted past.

[donutsina911]

Thanks for posting those ^
Haunting sight..

[wildcat45]

donutsina911 said:

Bountiful, Indulgent, Suzanne plus others are listed on Queen's Harbour Master Shipping Movements:

http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/qhm/portsmouth/shippin...

Listed as slipping NWW at 0930, so shouldn't be too long before she's passing Round Tower.

Thank you. I also found a radio feed so was able to track her on AIS and hear the tugs.

[Steve_D]

I assume she will be handed off to another tug somewhere. Those in the picture do not look man enough to take her to Turkey.

Steve

[wildcat45]

Cold said:

She's left. A bit of a crowd to see her off, but quite quiet as she drifted past.

Thanks so much for posting these. Could I possibly share the shot on Facebook of Lusty and the lifeboat with my RNLI friends? I know the crew of Tynemouth Lifeboat were good friends of what is the last Tyne-built aircraft carrier.

[Steve_D]

OK just seen TUG ERACLEA in the shipping movements. That's more like it.

Steve

[wildcat45]

Just to lighten a sad day a little.

I think this is my favourite picture of Lusty. I took it from a Sea King when she was launching Sea Harriers. 22-thousand tons of British steel carving a massive No 11 in the sea with 27 tons of Manganese Bronze five-blade props and 120,000 BHP of Rolls Royce Olympus goodness doing the honours.

[Halmyre]

Cold said:

She's left. A bit of a crowd to see her off, but quite quiet as she drifted past.

Echoes of the past:

[Cold]

wildcat45 said:

Thanks so much for posting these. Could I possibly share the shot on Facebook of Lusty and the lifeboat with my RNLI friends? I know the crew of Tynemouth Lifeboat were good friends of what is the last Tyne-built aircraft carrier.

Yep, of course. I appreciate you asking. Use whichever images you like.

[anonymous-user]

I was surprised to hear that it had only done 1m miles or something this morning. Doesn't seem like a lot in 32 years.

[wildcat45]

Cold said:

Yep, of course. I appreciate you asking. Use whichever images you like.

Thank you.