Looks like HMS Prince of Wales
We were on the beach at Cogden today and saw this huge ship going back and forth before it headed out into the Channel at about 6pm.
I thought maybe someone might know what it was and why it was there? All I could find was the story about the Russian aircraft carrier being escorted through the English Channel on the 16-17th August.
Sorry my photos are rubbish but it was a long way off and it's only an iPhone 8.
We saw a low flying Chinook following the coastline at Seatown yesterday if that has anything to do with it? And I know there is the Marine Commando base up the road.
TIA
It’s HMS Queen Elizabeth II Aircraft Carrier (or the Prince of Wales sister ship)
Last edited by Sinnlover; 25th August 2021 at 21:42.
I knew people on here would know, thanks
My lad will be pleased - he was fascinated by it.
Does anyone know why it was there? It looked like helicopters were taking off and landing, but as I say, it was a long way off.
Is it based at Portsmouth when it's not active?
https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/de...e-city-3359778
I saw her too, off the Devon coast this morning.
R
Ignorance breeds Fear. Fear breeds Hatred. Hatred breeds Ignorance. Break the chain.
It's funny because we see chinooks and other military helicopters so often we wonder if something big is happening when it goes all quiet!
You can tell it's British. Got no planes 😀😀
The Prince of Wales is due to arrive in Portsmouth tomorrow, Thursday, see link (serials 10 and 14).
Last edited by PickleB; 25th August 2021 at 22:44.
That particular something "that size" IS the most modern of "modern tech" and as such it is well defended and escorted from all feasible threats, airborne, surface, submarine, fire, NBC, etc.. Remember also that defence is not only about 'kinetics', e.g. shooting down enemy missiles or aircraft, it is also about how to avoid being targeted and how to evade, confuse or avoid weapons should they be fired against it.
Whilst the Chinese could destroy it (as they could destroy any single carrier belonging to any country), they could not destroy it easily (and especially not without starting WW3).
Last edited by markrlondon; 25th August 2021 at 23:22.
HMS Elizabeth is not travelling alone https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news...n-the-pacific/
Loose lips ………..
This. When I worked in the RFA carriers where generally held in the centre (zulu zulu) of a ring of other vessels and subs that provided a defense cordon around the carrier. Even 25 years ago the tech was there to reduce radar returns of quite sizable ships to that of say a fishing vessel.
Having a former submarine commander among my friends, I can safely say (on his behalf) that this silhouette is a dream for every submarine captain! Paraphrasing his words: '...the British did their enemies a great favour with this shape.' And yes, Dutch submarine people have a name for 'sinking the enemy'.The twin islands silhouette gives it away as a British aircraft carrier.
My friend was one of the officers (not the captain yet) on the Walrus during this slaughter of the US Navy.
https://defence.pk/pdf/threads/dutch...d-more.142292/
This popped up in my youtube feed. HMS Queen Elizabeth and her carrier strike force currently off Okinawa.
Last edited by zippy; 26th August 2021 at 19:03.
We happened to be in Portsmouth to visit HMS Victory on Sunday and were told the 12:15 harbour tour was cancelled as the Prince of Wales was leaving them.
Not planned at all, but watched much of the process of the tugs rotating her from the poop deck of the Victory.
Was a great day out, I'd not been since before the Mary Rose was raised but now my kiddos are the same age I was then I forced it on them as part of our holiday. Surprisingly they were really engaged, spent much longer looking at exhibits than I expected with no complaints.
I remembered there being very little headroom on the Victory from when I was 8 or 9, now I'm a six foot four adult it was ridiculous!
Last edited by Crazytrain; 27th August 2021 at 11:31.
Well Tapatalk shafted that photo didn't it. Maybe it's still recognisably the same ship in this crop...
First pic made me think fondly of Legoland.
No surface ship is safe really, all you need to do is drop a nuke in the area and job’s done, but our aircraft carriers are arguably far better value than nuclear subs which I’ll never be used.
Aircraft carriers have a military purpose of course, but are also excellent for providing humanitarian aid in moments of political or natural disasters and a fine weapon in the battle for hearts and minds.
M
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