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Obi Wan Russell

Jedi Master
VIP Professional
I last saw HMS Belfast back in 1975, I was five years old and still remember it vividly! Enjoy the experience!BEL1.jpg BELFAST%20guns%20(MC).jpg 6ca7e12294abde260f39166e03fab850.jpg BELFAST%20(MC).jpg BEL.jpgFirst Allied Warship to open fire on the Normandy Beaches on D-Day, Korean War veteran, refitted with new bridge structure, masts and light AA (Bofors 40mm) 1956-57 and paid off into reserve 1963. Used as an accommodation ship at Devonport before being put on the disposal list 1970. A former Captain organised a charity which raised the money to buy her for preservation by a Trust and she arrived in London in 1971, and has only left twice since, once for drydocking in Tilbury in the late 70s and again for drydocking in Portsmouth in the late 90s. The Hull is in excellent condition!
 
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I last saw HMS Belfast back in 1975, I was five years old and still remember it vividly! Enjoy the experience!...
thank you!

didn't know it's THAT detailed, for example spent perhaps ten minutes by looking at the hoists (OK didn't SEE what's below a naval gun, just READ about this type of stuf before) etc. so was overwhelmed after two hours

now the question is if to tour again tomorrow or go to Maritime Museum Greenwich (today went to Imperial War M. from the Belfast)
 
... for example spent perhaps ten minutes by looking at the hoists ...
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... go to Maritime Museum Greenwich ...
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Obi Wan Russell

Jedi Master
VIP Professional
inside

UK to expand navy in North Atlantic amid 'growing Russian threat'
Monday 09 July 2018
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the First Sea Lord didn't specify the assets he'd use
Well it'll be Type 23s and Type 45s as available. I imagine Big Liz will be sent to the North Atlantic to exercise her ASW Helicopters a bit more often too... Merlins and Wildcats will be doing the donkey work.
 
Well it'll be Type 23s and Type 45s as available. I imagine Big Liz will be sent to the North Atlantic to exercise her ASW Helicopters a bit more often too... Merlins and Wildcats will be doing the donkey work.
to me, this situation shows the importance of NUMBERS of warships:

no matter how advanced they would be, some might be needed in the GIUK gap; North Sea; Med; Persian Gulf; ... at the same time (EDIT and couldn't be if there weren't enough of them, kinda obvious, LOL I won't delete what I now added)
 
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Obi Wan Russell

Jedi Master
VIP Professional
Preaching to the choir, Brother. Ever since the Sea King was introduced to the RN the concept of the 'Flying Frigate' has been the order of the day. Our large ASW helos have been employed far more autonomously than in the USN, which for a long time emphasised ship control of the helo, seeing it as a part of the ship's weapon systems. In an RN Task Group (Carrier centric or otherwise) the large Helos effectively act as extra escorts at distance from the surface ships and able to move far more quickly to prosecute contacts than surface or sub surface units could. This is why the need to deploy large numbers (ie squadron strength) of Sea Kings at sea survived the 1966 'Healy Axe' on the Carrier Force, and was the genesis of the Invincible class CVS. A Helo like a Sea King is not by any means a complete substitute for a Frigate, but it is a partial Force Multiplier.Westland Merlin HMA1 10.jpg Westland Merlin HMA1 02.jpg 1519224_10152250226135404_1506432728070227740_o.jpg 3307477292_4af062ce95_o.jpg
 

Jeff Head

General
Registered Member
Well, once they have a full air wing on the QE or POW, then they will be able to put one strong CSG in the North Atlantic with the vessels and the aircraft to make the point.

But that will take up a mjaor part of the RNs surface combat fleet.

NATO needs to work out a plan that allows Italy, Spain, France, and the UK to keep the North Atlantic watched closel...and to do that, they will have three large carriers and three small jump jet carriers...no to mention the other responsibilites those nations have.

All of them (IMHO) have cut far to deeply and have geottn into the muscle and meat of their Naval forces and capability when it comes to being able to maintain any globaly presence or even a strong presence in the North Atlantic, the Med and the Persian Gulf.
 
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