Latest QE Class Video for those interested

[AshVX220]

I got this video about 3 weeks ago but didn't want to put it on Youtube until it was properly released.
It would appear someone else already has done, so for those interested.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nsxjWDl7Lk

It's amazing what can be done with CG now, I think they must use the 3D models being used to design the ships.

Anyway, hope you all enjoy it, the quality isn't great, don't know why, my copy is crystal clear. Maybe it's a youtube thing.

[tank slapper]

I assume that now they have decided on catapult launch and arrestor wires they will incorporate an angled flight deck?

It would seem to be a backwards step not to, considering we invented them in the first place.

[AshVX220]

tank slapper said:

I assume that now they have decided on catapult launch and arrestor wires they will incorporate an angled flight deck?

It would seem to be a backwards step not to, considering we invented them in the first place.

Where did you here that? They're stil STOVL? We have incorporated the ability to change to a CV variant and the systems are in place if the decision is made, but at the moment it'll be STOVL (though the landing bit is now going to be a slow speed rolling landing AFAIK.

[tank slapper]

AshVX220 said:

Where did you here that? They're stil STOVL? We have incorporated the ability to change to a CV variant and the systems are in place if the decision is made, but at the moment it'll be STOVL (though the landing bit is now going to be a slow speed rolling landing AFAIK.

I was recalling articles I read a while ago about them planning to buy F-35C instead of F-35B on cost grounds. Re-reading an article and elsewhere it appears it hasn't been decided yet.

[AshVX220]

tank slapper said:

AshVX220 said:

Where did you here that? They're stil STOVL? We have incorporated the ability to change to a CV variant and the systems are in place if the decision is made, but at the moment it'll be STOVL (though the landing bit is now going to be a slow speed rolling landing AFAIK.

I was recalling articles I read a while ago about them planning to buy F-35C instead of F-35B on cost grounds. Re-reading an article and elsewhere it appears it hasn't been decided yet.

Oh right, at the moment it's still the 35b. Although they've been designed to be converted in necessary there would be extra cost involed in changing them from STOVL to CV, I don't know how much.
As part of the above and your earlier question about an angled deck, the deck's already angled, it's just not so clear because of the deck markings, if we went CV then they would change the lighting and markings (and lots of other things) and the angle would be clearer to see.

What do you think of the vid?

Edited by AshVX220 on Friday 14th August 15:04

[tank slapper]

Well it has the Royal Marines band on it which is a plus.

There is some pretty detailed 3d modelling in there which gives a good idea what they are going to end up looking like. They are going to be quite impressive ships when finished regardless what configuration they end up in.

[Mojocvh]

How much out of the struggling defence budget did it cost to produce this?

[Mojocvh]

tank slapper said:

AshVX220 said:

Where did you here that? They're stil STOVL? We have incorporated the ability to change to a CV variant and the systems are in place if the decision is made, but at the moment it'll be STOVL (though the landing bit is now going to be a slow speed rolling landing AFAIK.

I was recalling articles I read a while ago about them planning to buy F-35C instead of F-35B on cost grounds. Re-reading an article and elsewhere it appears it hasn't been decided yet.

Super hornets would make a ££££££££££££ot more sense, and they have TWO engines which is handy when you don't have any diverts.

Edited by Mojocvh on Friday 14th August 21:34

[Shar2]

The more I see this ships, the more I'm liking them. Just hope they get built.

[ninja-lewis]

Mojocvh said:

tank slapper said:

AshVX220 said:

Where did you here that? They're stil STOVL? We have incorporated the ability to change to a CV variant and the systems are in place if the decision is made, but at the moment it'll be STOVL (though the landing bit is now going to be a slow speed rolling landing AFAIK.

I was recalling articles I read a while ago about them planning to buy F-35C instead of F-35B on cost grounds. Re-reading an article and elsewhere it appears it hasn't been decided yet.

Super hornets would make a ££££££££££££ot more sense, and they have TWO engines which is handy when you don't have any diverts.

Edited by Mojocvh on Friday 14th August 21:34

On the other hand, CATOBAR operations present greater challenges to pilots and more effort is required to remain current. STOVL has the advantage of allowing the RAF to surge aircraft in support of the FAA as per the Falklands War. STOVL also allows for a greater sortie rate, particularly in weather states that make CATOBAR operations impossible.

As for having two engines, a recent study of Canadian CF-18s found that in the majority of cases two engines made no difference. Whatever factor caused the shutdown of one engine was likely to cause the other to be shutdown anyway, turning the aircraft into a flying lawn dart.

[AshVX220]

Shar2 said:

The more I see this ships, the more I'm liking them. Just hope they get built.

I think they will, we're quite far into the production process now and they're certainly needed, the CVS's are really on their last legs at the moment.

[Oily Nails]

Well I've gotta be honest watching that and hearing the Marine Band over the film I remembered what it feels like to be Proud to be English

Although seeing the Chinooks lined up on it does make me fearfull that one of the two carriers might just end up as another 'Aircraft Taxi' for dragging equipment to Afghanistan (for example)

Never the less they look super.



By the way has the Type 45 (HMS Daring) entered official service yet? I know she was undergoing sea trails.

[AshVX220]

Oily Nails said:

Well I've gotta be honest watching that and hearing the Marine Band over the film I remembered what it feels like to be Proud to be English

Although seeing the Chinooks lined up on it does make me fearfull that one of the two carriers might just end up as another 'Aircraft Taxi' for dragging equipment to Afghanistan (for example)

Never the less they look super.



By the way has the Type 45 (HMS Daring) entered official service yet? I know she was undergoing sea trails.

Yes, Daring now belongs to the RN, she still hasn't completed all trials and entered "service" properly, Dauntless is due in Pompey toward the end of this year IIRC.

[AshVX220]

tank slapper said:

Well it has the Royal Marines band on it which is a plus.

There is some pretty detailed 3d modelling in there which gives a good idea what they are going to end up looking like. They are going to be quite impressive ships when finished regardless what configuration they end up in.

Are you a (n ex) booty then?

If so, what instrument do (did) you play?

You're right the modelling is very clever, I guess they use the cad models being used to desig the ships and somehow transfer the skin onto those. There'll be hugely impressive, they're twice the width of a CVS, plus an extra 50% longer. The bridge is about 4 times the width as those on CVS, as is the Ops complex. They're going to be fantastic, I feel very proud to be working on them.

[Shar2]

AshVX220 said:

Shar2 said:

The more I see this ships, the more I'm liking them. Just hope they get built.

I think they will, we're quite far into the production process now and they're certainly needed, the CVS's are really on their last legs at the moment.

Makes me want to join up again, shame I'm now too old. I know what you mean about the CVS's, they weren't too brilliant when I was on them nearly 20 years ago.

[AshVX220]

Shar2 said:

AshVX220 said:

Shar2 said:

The more I see this ships, the more I'm liking them. Just hope they get built.

I think they will, we're quite far into the production process now and they're certainly needed, the CVS's are really on their last legs at the moment.

Makes me want to join up again, shame I'm now too old. I know what you mean about the CVS's, they weren't too brilliant when I was on them nearly 20 years ago.

Indeed, imagine having a 6 berth cabin instead of a 56 man mess for a start!!
CVS's did exactly what was required of NATO at the time though didn't they? When we moved away from Carrier Strike to ASW we lost something, now though, we'll get it back, proper aircraft carrier's again.......finally.

[Shar2]

Ash, we were lucky in the FAA we had 24 man messes on 2 deck, with a huge rec area attached. Although being under 3 spot and I had the top bunk I regularly had Harriers practically landing on my head, as a result I can now sleep through anything. If the standard rating is getting 6 man messes what are the Chiefs and PO's getting, twin rooms? I did notice the the complement of the QE's isn't going to be far removed from the CVS's. Or is their quoted figure not including air group?

[tank slapper]

AshVX220 said:

Are you a (n ex) booty then?

If so, what instrument do (did) you play?

I haven't ever been in the marines, but I am a musician and quite like band music. The marines band are generally very good - same can't be said for all services bands unfortunately. I have heard some interesting things from some of them.

[AshVX220]

Shar2 said:

Ash, we were lucky in the FAA we had 24 man messes on 2 deck, with a huge rec area attached. Although being under 3 spot and I had the top bunk I regularly had Harriers practically landing on my head, as a result I can now sleep through anything. If the standard rating is getting 6 man messes what are the Chiefs and PO's getting, twin rooms? I did notice the the complement of the QE's isn't going to be far removed from the CVS's. Or is their quoted figure not including air group?

Core ship's company is going to be very similar to the CVS (I'm a Battlespace Architect on the project responsible for the Roles and the kit they'll have at their workstations). The Air WIng will make the full ships company bigger than a CVS (4 Squadrons of strike, one of Helo's 'ish). Then we can take a 96 man Battle staff (2 star staff) and a Carrier Strike Group (1 star staff). Or a bunch of booty's. There's a huge compartment 3 deck aft (next to the top half of the hangar) for embarked personnel. The Air Ops Complex is pretty big. All the cabins are on 5-6 deck and below. I think CPO's and PO's get 2 berth, but I'm not 100% on that.
The Air Wing isn't generally part of the quoted complement, mainly because they're still trying to figure out the make up of it, being a new aircraft etc (though QE will enter service with GR9). Also being a cross between True Blue and Light Blue (crabs) the division and org of the Air Wing is still being sorted.
Actually Shar2, being an ex-WAFU you probably know a lot of the guy's I work with, were you a maintainer?

Edited by AshVX220 on Tuesday 18th August 12:17

[AshVX220]

DOH, DPM!

Edited by AshVX220 on Tuesday 18th August 13:16

Edited by AshVX220 on Tuesday 18th August 13:51