USS George H W Bush has arrived in Portsmouth..

[ThunderSpook]

I am standing on the beach as close as I can get without getting wet. It's blowing 32 knots, feels like more. Bugger it's cold!

Big old boat though, even if it is quite a way out.

[badgerade]

Was it worth a look? Not sure if it's worth driving 40 odd miles to try and get some photos..

[ThunderSpook]

Probably not worth that long a drive. It's a fair way out. You get pretty much the same view as on the webcam.

[anonymous-user]

I went out on a boat trip at 11:00am today. Quite rough I would think it the best way to describe it!!

Some photos here:

http://forums.airshows.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=9&amp...

[Working class]

My friend from work was invited with 6 other photographers to go on board today and take pictures of the jets. I'll ask him if I can put the pictures up on here tomorrow.

[Vieste]

OMG it is massive

I wonder if they drank the town dry of Budweiser again ?

[Davel]

Won't the planes bounce off the flagpole?

[Eric Mc]

Interesting though the visit is, I have to say that a boatlaod of very grey looking F-18s doesn't look terribly photogenic.

[Moonloops]

How old are the planes eric any idea ?

[anonymous-user]

Eric Mc said:

Interesting though the visit is, I have to say that a boatlaod of very grey looking F-18s doesn't look terribly photogenic.

There were two very nice specials on the Carrier, unfortunately they were below deck in the Hangers. Some lucky people who got to go on board have taken pictures of them. Very nice they look too.

[Moonloops]

Specials ?Spill the beans then

[anonymous-user]

Moonloops said:

Specials ?Spill the beans then

These ones, unfortunately all in the Hanger

http://forums.airshows.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=9&amp...

[FourWheelDrift]

Tomcatters on a Hornet just isn't the same.

[anonymous-user]

Doesn't seem quite right, but the Squadron was in existance as the Tomcatters before the F-14. I think it will always be best remembered with F-14 though.

[Kitchski]

Fancy a trip out on one of the Gosport ferries, anyone know how long it's in for? Been down to Stokes Bay to have a look but the boat trips look like they get pretty close.

[anonymous-user]

You'll have to be quick, only one or two trips today from Gunwharf Quay in Portsmouth today and that is it. They are 3.30pm and 5pm I believe. Not sure whether the last boat is going either.

The carrier is leaving Tomorrow morning.

Your other chance it to grab the Isle of Wight Ferry which goes reasonably close.

[Eric Mc]

Moonloops said:

How old are the planes eric any idea ?

The F-18Cs and Ds are older than the F-18Es and Fs. Without knowing the actual serials of the aircraft it's hard to be precise but I would guess that the earlier F-18s are at the very least over 10 years old whereas the later versions would be under 5.

If there were any EA-6B Prowlers on board, then they would be over 20 years old.

I do think that US Navy colours are, on the whole, very dull these days (there are some exceptions). Back in the 60s and 70s, US Navy markings were very colourful.

[anonymous-user]

No EA-6B Prowlers on board unfortunately. They are being replaced by the EA-18G "Growlers" now.

The air wing (Carrier Air Wing 8) was the same wing that was over here on the USS Theodore Roosevelt two years ago. Back then the "Shadowhawks" were operating the Prowler.

[Kitchski]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Oh as soon as that? I'll have to give that a miss then. Maybe next time they leave one in the middle of the Solent!

[Moonloops]

Cheers for the info Supraman and eric