Thread: New RN carrier, impressive

The episode of "Yes Minister" comes to mind with the new hospital with doctors and nurses but no patients because there was no money for admin staff.

A very impressive piece of kit all the same.

Now this is story told to me a few years ago only I have no evidence of this.

Relative in the RAN tells me that a couple of years ago Brutish government Ministers were in Sydney on a low key visit which was basically a list of all the RN boats afloat with price rags to see what you might want to take. Only one taken up was the lift ship which is now transferred across.

Included was the offer of an Invincible class carrier with aircraft (air crew and associated staff included). This was part of a package which included the second aircraft carrier they are building.

Idea being as they were going to scrap the existing carrier which had just been refurbished and did not have a use for the people could cut a good deal to allow Australia to regain the skills ready for the new carrier when it was ready.

Originally Posted by shining

The episode of "Yes Minister" comes to mind with the new hospital with doctors and nurses but no patients because there was no money for admin staff.

A very impressive piece of kit all the same.

What! And get it all scratched, next you will suggest the Navy should stop defending Sydney Cove and move closer to potential threats. Unless you don't trust those dodgy Kiwis pulling a swiftly.

No aircraft for at least 6 if not 10 years they reckon.

The second carrier will be mothballed as soon as its built.

Huge cost over runs at the expense of the tax payer, BAE have the contracts sewn up pretty good, the MOD have made so many construction changes the cost continues to go up.

Just one very expensive helicopter carrier for the next few years.

It's good to see we aren't the only ones with incompetent defense forces. Pat

This may seem like a silly question but where are the catapults?. Pat

I think its the same with most Governments around the world Pat.

Its not there money so they don't care. Saying that some projects do come in on time and in budget.

Originally Posted by PAT303

This may seem like a silly question but where are the catapults?. Pat

Its not got any, so it can never launch conventional aircraft. It was going to have the US electrical launch system, when the F35c was going to be used, so now they have to use the F35B, which is still having problems.

The ability to add the catapults and arrestor gear was always specified from the start, but as you need steam for these and these carriers are gas you can't have a steam system, thus the US electric system.

Putting in the cat system later down the line, 2/3 Billion pounds.