CV-18 Fujian/003 CATOBAR carrier thread

The module that was at the rear of the assembly area in the last set of photos (12th July) have been moved to the front and may now be in the process of being joined to the other modules that were already at the front (right by the water). If this is the case it confirms that the lower hull will be only 2-4 modules by the time its moved.

Dredging is also under way

So when will they flat the modules round to the dry dock ?

Thats an interesting question. It makes no sense moving modules to the dry-dock until all the lower hull modules are almost complete, especially if there will be a small number of large modules, which suggests several months yet. The next question is the upper hull, including the deck overhangs. I am not convinced that these will be installed at the current location as the hull seems to be too close to one leg of the large gantry crane, that suggests they will be installed in the dry dock, if so, they may be built closer to that dock and not at the same location as the lower hull. My guess would be the lower hull module will be moved either towards the end of this year or early next.

Nice video how QE2 was build. Good example how it could be with 003:

asif iqbal said:

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It seems that its snowing at shanghai...

As for the hull, several things: the two hangars and the modules within have moved to the front, certainly in order to be welded together, something that is not as easy as it seems, because aircraft carrier modules are complex and must be precisely built in order to fit together. Also the big crane has moved to the front. In the back, there is a small piece. It seems that a new module is starting to be built and there is a lot of pieces of the hull in that place.

As for the water in the front, i dont see any land at the surface anymore. Seems clean at the surface, but they may have to dredge more in order for the modules to be transported out of that place.

Intrepid said:

Nice video how QE2 was build. Good example how it could be with 003:

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It highlight the differences between Shanghai and the QE building palace.


During the supermodule float in they stored the modules in the external basing, that was separated from the sea by a dam.

It does not exist in the no4 drydock.

asif iqbal said:

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I don't see any transport "dollies" between the assembly area and the harbor, to help get the modules in the water. Until you have something there, these aren't going anywhere.

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They left the dredging part really late

The basin construction is moving same speed as carrier

Should have been completed much earlier

subotai1 said:

I don't see any transport "dollies" between the assembly area and the harbor, to help get the modules in the water. Until you have something there, these aren't going anywhere.

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The hull modules are on rails, these go right to the water edge. There is no sign of a ship lift so the modules will likely be moved onto a submersible barge or heavy lift ship for launch. As these are mobile it is possible we will get very little warning before the modules being moved.