Reply to: HMS Ark Royal to be scrapped ASAP

[Moscow Mule]

What about the weevils? They're a bastard when they're in yer biscuits! Although any extra protein is a bonus.

Given the choice, would you pick a larger or smaller weevil?

[Mich the Tester]

any extra protein is a bonus.

A man who sticks his tongue out when saying that in a naval context can raise suspicions.

[SupremeSpod]

We had real problems with shipworm on that one, I can tell you.

What about the weevils? They're a bastard when they're in yer biscuits! Although any extra protein is a bonus.

[PRC1964]

I know; while the Frogs are on strike, which seems to be every day other than a random, unannounced rainy tuesday afternoon in february, why not nip in, nick a couple of their ships and bring them back to the UK?

OK, the manuals will be in French, but I'm sure we can figure out a way round that.

Henry the Fifth would have managed it!

It's a good idea, but it would never work. They sail on the other side over there.

[Mich the Tester]

I know; while the Frogs are on strike, which seems to be every day other than a random, unannounced rainy tuesday afternoon in february, why not nip in, nick a couple of their ships and bring them back to the UK?

OK, the manuals will be in French, but I'm sure we can figure out a way round that.

Henry the Fifth would have managed it!

[Mich the Tester]

Feck, I'm so old I remember the first Ark Royal

Bloody hell, the average age around here must have gone up since you arrived.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Ark_Royal_(1587)

[Ignis Fatuus]

Feck I now feel old, I remember the last Ark Royal and I'm only 39.

Feck, I'm so old I remember the first Ark Royal

[Moscow Mule]

steam catapult is passe... latest yank carriers will use Electromagnetic gubbins to launch planes

If it works. Interesting articles on el reg over the last month or so. Using catapults / arresters makes the f35 variant much cheaper.

[Troll]

Steam catapult?

Strong elastic band?

Btw, are these new carriers Nukes or Gas turbine?

steam catapult is passe... latest yank carriers will use Electromagnetic gubbins to launch planes

[Troll]

Cost $4.5 billion ( £2.84 billion) each

General characteristics
Type: Aircraft carrier
Displacement: 100,000 to 104,600 long tons (100,000–106,300 t)[1]
Length: Overall: 1,092 feet (332.8 m)
Waterline: 1,040 feet (317.0 m)
Beam: Overall: 252 ft (76.8 m)
Waterline: 134 ft (40.8 m)
Draft: Maximum navigational: 37 ft (11.3 m)
Limit: 41 ft (12.5 m)
Propulsion: 2 × Westinghouse A4W nuclear reactors
4 × steam turbines
4 × shafts
260,000 shp (194 MW)
Speed: 30+ knots (56+ km/h; 35+ mph)
Range: Essentially unlimited distance; 20 years
Complement: Ship's company: 3,200
Air wing: 2,480
Sensors and
processing systems: AN/SPS-48E 3-D air search radar
AN/SPS-49(V)5 2-D air search radar
AN/SPQ-9B target acquisition radar
AN/SPN-46 air traffic control radars
AN/SPN-43C air traffic control radar
AN/SPN-41 landing aid radars
4 × Mk 91 NSSM guidance systems
4 × Mk 95 radars
Electronic warfare
and decoys: SLQ-32A(V)4 Countermeasures suite
SLQ-25A Nixie torpedo countermeasures
Armament: 16–24 × Sea Sparrow or NATO Sea Sparrow missiles
3 or 4 × Phalanx CIWSs or RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missiles

Armor: 2.5 in (64 mm) kevlar over vital spaces[2]
Aircraft carried: 85-90 fixed wing and helicopters[3]

& for £3.8 ($6.02) billion & rising we get two of

Class and type: Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier
Displacement: 65,600 metric tons (72,300 short tons) (full load)[2]
Length: 284 metres (932 ft)[2]
Beam: 39 metres (waterline)
73 metres overall[2]
Draught: 11 metres[3]
Decks: 16,000 square metres[2]
Speed: 25+ knots
Range: 10,000 nautical miles (18,520 km)
Capacity: 1,450
Complement: 600
Aircraft carried: 40 aircraft, including 36 F-35 Lightning II

MOD didn't want the nuclear propulsion due to the extra costs!!

Since we are having to import foreign workers to do the build why not just buy two Nimitz class ?

[SupremeSpod]

Scaffolding and gaffa tape on one of 'em then.

Steam catapult?

Strong elastic band?

Btw, are these new carriers Nukes or Gas turbine?

[gingerjedi]

The BBC has also learned that at least one of the new carriers will be redesigned so that it can deploy normal fighter aircraft that do not need a Harrier-style vertical lift capability.

Scaffolding and gaffa tape on one of 'em then.

[EternalOptimist]

Feck I now feel old, I remember the last Ark Royal and I'm only 39.

Can you land a Tornado on a small aircraft carrier?

nope , the harrier is VTOL, vertical take off and landing
the Tornado is HTTP , home to Turin with Pasta

[Troll]

To help pay for the new carriers.

Reduction in Harrier numbers. Gap before JSF comes online is acceptable.

Tornado lifetimes to be extended

I hope the Argies aren't listening....

[SupremeSpod]

Feck I now feel old, I remember the last Ark Royal and I'm only 39.

Can you land a Tornado on a small aircraft carrier?

Nope I can't. But we know a man with a penchant for pasta who can.