British Military Pictures Thread

[Obi Wan Russell]

Well done, but don't forget to tick the box that removes the size/resolution bar from the bottom of the thumbnail. Great shot by the way, really unusual angle. You don't see gunners from this point of view often.

A few shots of my favourite aircraft, the Blackburn Buccaneer S2 in it's natural environment, at sea!

And some that are, not.

The final flypast of Buccaneers in 1994 saw the aircraft of 12 and 208sqns repainted to represent all the RAF sqns that had operated the type, but only one Navy sqn (809).

[Obi Wan Russell]

And here's something for landlubbers, the British Army and the Royal Marines.

[bd popeye]

Royal Marines I was stationed on Diego Garica B.I.O T.( British Indian Ocean Territory) from July '85 until July '86. There was a contigent of Royal Marines there. From what I remember most of them seem to be very aloof and not wanting to deal with Americans...The Top sargent was a very likeable guy however..I still never figured out why those fellows were like that...Oh well...

Nice pictures Obi Wan...

[Obi Wan Russell]

Royal marine not friendly? Surely not! On the other hand, a Rottweiler is quite a fearsome guard dog, but I wouldn't want to pet it...

RMs are usually known as 'Booties', for the same reason US marines are known as 'Leathernecks', apparently a couple of centuries ago around the time some colonnial types were getting a bit uppity, Marines wore very stiff necked uniforms that chafed them so much they ended up with necks resembling boot leather, hence the American nickname leatherneck and it's British equivalent 'Bootneck', which soon became 'Booties' and when all RMs became commandos, 'SuperBooties!'.

[Obi Wan Russell]

Here's a selection of recent Harrier/Sea Harrier pics:




Good to see High viz markings making a comeback after a couple of decades of drab and lifeless (and very necessary) low viz grey on grey. Also, it's worth noting, as Popeye and Jeff Head have pointed out, how busy and crowded RN flight decks are compared to the Russian Navy's Kuznetzov.

[Obi Wan Russell]

A selection of Tornados, F-3s and GR-1s and 4s:

[Obi Wan Russell]

Rumours that British Aircraft have to be sponsored by private companies because of defence cuts have been vigorously denied by the MOD...

...But at least it means better looking ground crew!

Mind you, the previous colour scheme of this particular plane (a DeHavilland Sea Vixen D3) wasn't much better! I personally prefer the original colours (end pic) and it's a pity the owners of this historic plane can't keep her in the air in her original scheme.

[bd popeye]

Nice pictures Obi Wan!

Do the little "birdies" come with the aircraft? ..Very nice indeed!

[Obi Wan Russell]

A few lastshots of the much loved Sea Harrier F/A-2, sacrificed on the politicians altar, gone before her time. The Last British Fighter Aircraft, and still the best.

[FuManChu]

Originally Posted by bd popeye

Nice pictures Obi Wan!

Do the little "birdies" come with the aircraft? ..Very nice indeed!

Not if you're American - they're for Brits only.

[Obi Wan Russell]

RFA Argus, Britains 'Fifth Carrier', which can carry up to twelve Harriers as well as a sqn of Merlins. The forward superstructure is less of an impediment to STOVL operations than it appears: Harriers can launch off the stern facing aft!

[TerraN_EmpirE]

Originally Posted by Finn McCool

I figured that we should get some of the British Army in here too.
What Kind of gun is that?
http://images.theglobeandmail.com/ar...tishtroops.jpg

You asked no one answered so here's the answer. It's a L7A2 that's the bristish designation for the FN MAG known to Americans as the M240 it's a 7.62 nato GPMG general purpose machine gun they are found in infantry and mounted both on or in vehicles. reliable tough and proven

[Obi Wan Russell]

Some pics of British 'Aviation Support Ships', to use modern parlance.


The last two pics show the large hangar and flightdeck fitted to RFAs Fort Victoria and Fort George which can accomodatebetween four to six helos, and when deployed with an Invincible class carrier provides a home for that CVs ASW helo squadron, leaving more space on the carrier for fixed wing operations.

[FuManChu]

This isn't a picture, but I think it's an interesting short video on the Seawolf missile.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6pwS...elated&search=

[Obi Wan Russell]

Seawolf may be short ranged, but it is extremely accurate and reliable. The kind of wepon system that gives attackers sleepless nights...