British Military Pictures Thread

[Obi Wan Russell]

We seem to have been left out a bit so far so I'll start a thread for matters UK here. Our forces may not be as large as they once were, but they are still top notch and you mess with them at your peril... as many have discovered. Please feel free to contribute any Army, Navy or RAF pics you'd like to share here.

[Jeff Head]

Originally Posted by Obi Wan Russell

We seem to have been left out a bit so far so I'll start a thread for matters UK here. Our forces may not be as large as they once were, but they are still top notch and you mess with them at your peril... as many have discovered. Please feel free to contribute any Army, Navy or RAF pics you'd like to share here.

Here are a few more:



The UK carriers decks are very busy...which speaks to their experience and expertise. Only American carrier decks are more active and busy in my experience. MOst others, although they represent significant cost, experience, and capability, are not 1/2...or maybe even 1/3 as busy and active. The French in particular probably represent an exception to this.

[bd popeye]

Jeff sez;

The UK carriers decks are very busy...which speaks to their experience and expertise. Only American carrier decks are more active and busy in my experience. MOst others, although they represent significant cost, experience, and capability, are not 1/2...or maybe even 1/3 as busy and active. The French in particular probably represent an exception to this.

So true. Ever see pics of the flight deck of any Russian CV? Devoid of action. Where is the crew? Where are the directors? It just lacks the sea-going symphony that the USN, RN & FN have. Up on the "Roof" is where I wanna be...I loved workin' da' "Roof!"....

[Jeff Head]

Originally Posted by bd popeye

Ever see pics of the flight deck of any Russian CV? Devoid of action. Where is the crew? Where are the directors? It just lacks the sea-going symphony that the USN, RN & FN have. Up on the "Roof" is where I wanna be...I loved workin' da' "Roof!"....

These two pictures are about the "busiest" I have ever seen of the Kuznetsov.





Compared to this:









...and, as I have said, as regards the UK and this thread, these pics, which show how a much smaller piece of real estate can be extremely busy and effectively used.

[Obi Wan Russell]

The Royal Navy has always made a virtue of making a little go a long way. Our Carriers may be small but they punch well above their weight (as Argentina found out in 82) and when the new CVFs join the fleet in the next decade we'll be able to punch even harder. Also maybe the yanks will stop complaining about our ships during cross decking ops; back in the sixties US pilots from the USS Ranger (60,000tons) took one look at HMS Hermes (28,000 tons) and concluded the Brits were "Nice guys but nuts!", in return the Hermes' pilots looked at the Ranger and suggested "Formation landings" and "not bothering to put the hook down!". I know USN pilots look forward to cross decking with RN carriers because US ships are 'dry', and thankfully RN ships are not!


Of course, if the CVFs are built to this configuration then the only Yanks quenching their thirsts in her wardroom will be Marines (they are the only branch of the US armed forces scheduled to receive the STOVL F-35B) but if we go down the CTOL route then USN pilots can look forward to a drink or two as well!

Just like the good old days...

[bd popeye]

Obi-Wan...Those pics of the Intruders on the deck of the remind of Sep'72 on the USS John F Kennedy we were in a NATO excersise called "Strong Express" and we were operating with the RN CV "Ark Royal". We had some RN Phantoms on our flight deck...Those were the days!

[Obi Wan Russell]

I'm sure the Russians would like to be able to afford a full air group for the Kuznetzov, but they are probably paying for the existing aircraft on HP and interest rates haven't been so good lately... but seriously, some air power at sea is always preferrable to no air power at sea. The pic of the Marine F-4 with 892 NAS tail markings came about after said aircraft went unserviceable during cross deck ops and was relegated to Arks Hangar deck for a few days... when it was ready to leave it had been mysteriously redecorated for its return flight. Such incidents were not that unusual, when 892's Phantoms visited a Florida Naval air station they received 'graffiti' from the locals, replacing the words 'ROYAL NAVY' on the fuselage with 'COLONIAL NAVY', and the roundels on the intakes sprouted 'stars and bars', as well as other local insignia! Those were the days indeed.

And the pilot of this Sea Harrier is called Bond, James Bond (Well he is a commander in the RN!) Also the RN is not averse to a little 'end of service' redecoration as these De Havilland Sea Vixens from 899 NAS aboard HMS Eagle demonstrated back in 1972. Some had 'For Sale' painted on them along with assorted 'Flower power' symbols! Definitely not regulation issue!

[Obi Wan Russell]

And here's another selection from the vaults of Obi Wan, past present and future of the senoir service.




Top row left; HMS Eagle off New Zealand 1971, Eagles flight deck looking aft, LPH HMS Bulwark in 1975, LPH HMS Albion late 60's.
2nd row;801 sqn 'Omega' tail markings prior to disbandment, 800 NAS SHAR at RIAT RAF Fairford 2002, Trials Sea Harrier grinning with pride!, 899 NAS SHAR in pre disbandment hi-viz markings,
3rd row; RAF Harrier GR1 aboard HMS Ark Royal 1971, ex-RAF GR3 in pseudo Navy markings, 800 NAS Buccanneer about to launch from Eagles' waist cat 1971, 809 NAS Buccaneer from Ark Royal in 1977 with RAN A-4G Skyhawk from VF-805 behind,
4th row; HMS Queen Elizabeth artists impression, comparative diagram of flight deck size and layout, another artists impression of HMS Queen Elizabeth, and artists impression of F-35B in RN service.

[Obi Wan Russell]

Think I'm getting the hang of this thumbnail business! Here's a few more from the dark recesses of my hard drive;


Top row; Fairey Gannet AEW3, its' belated replacement the Sea King AEW2, the Type 42 DDG HMS Manchester, and her replacement the Type 45 DDG.
2nd row; the now decommissioned LPD HMS Fearless in Portsmouth dockyard with HMS Ark Royal behind, the new LSD RFA Mounts Bay, the two Albion class LPDs Albion and Bulwark, and a slightly suspect shot of an old LSL (RFA Sir Bedivere) which may be in jest but is a little too close to the truth!

3rd row; some shots of the RNs primary interceptor from 1959 to 1972, the DeHavilland Sea Vixen FAW2,

4th row, Some F-4K Phantom shots; two from 700P NAS trials aboard Eagle in 1968, and two of 767 NAS aircraft RNAS Yeovilton 1972.

5th row; a selection of Sea Harrier FRS1 shots from the 80's,

[Finn McCool]

I figured that we should get some of the British Army in here too.

The Warrior, one of the worlds premiere IFVs.


The Javellin ATGM, in operation with the other Army in the British Isles, the Irish Army!!!(Irish Flags)


What Kind of gun is that?


The SAS, doing what they do.


The British Army is famous for its fashion sense.


The British Army was there in the Falklands too, even if Obi-Wan denies it!
I have proof!


And more proof!


Challenger 2 in Oman


Westland Lynx


The British Army in Ballymurphy, Northern Ireland.

[Jeff Head]

Originally Posted by Obi Wan Russell

Think I'm getting the hang of this thumbnail business!

Another comparison of the new English (UK) carrier to others...including the Kuznetsov.

[bd popeye]

Great pictures guys!!!

Hey Obi Wan..Do you in the deep recesses of your hard drive have any more pictures of USN/USMC aircraft on the flight deck of a RN CV? If so please post 'em! Thanks!..

I use to have a bunch of pics of RN F-4's on the JFK back in '72 ..but my nutty ex-wife in a fit of rage destroyed my old USN pics I left behind instead of sending them to me... Oh well....

Quick question Obi Wan..Why are there two island's on the "QE"?

Thanks!

[Jeff Head]

Originally Posted by bd popeye

Quick question Obi Wan..Why are there two island's on the "QE"?

I know you asked Obi Wan...but I will take a crack at it if you don't mind.

My guess is that the aft island focuses on landing ops, while the fore island is for launch and C&C. That way the two islands are each closer to their areas of responsibility on deck. I may be completely wrong and out to lunch, but those are just my thoughts on it.

What do you say Obi Wan?

[bd popeye]

Thanks Jeff..I have been thinking along those lines. But I think two islands take up valuable deck spce that is needed for suppourt equipment and aircraft...

I too wanna' know what Obi Wan sez...

[Jeff Head]

Originally Posted by bd popeye

I think two islands take up valuable deck spce that is needed for suppourt equipment and aircraft...

Agreed. I've thought the same about the size of the Island on the Kuznetsov, the Varyag, and the INvinsible for that matter...as well as the two Island config on the QE. I guess we shall see, I am sure they have their reasons, which to them will be perfectly logical and understandable.