Ark Royal, back on the Tyne

[TSR2]

Hi Chaps, just in case anyone missed it, the Ark is on the Tyne this weekend to celebrate her 30th. She will be open to the public on Saturday. ;-)

On another note VT have announced they are to end shipbuilding in July, selling their shipbuilding business to BAe.

[basys]

Hi Folks

On another note VT have announced they are to end shipbuilding in July, selling their shipbuilding business to BAe.

Ben -
Interesting, but not unexpected, (was an option in the JV contract).
Surprised there was nothing on BAe/BVT sites.
Question is, will the MoD permit so soon.

VT Group Interim Management Statement and Update on BVT Surface Fleet
Looks like VTGroup have some liabilities to cover.

ATB
Paul

[TSR2]

MoD have already approved it mate ;-)

[basys]

Ooops
Missed that matey.

Enjoy the Ark.
Would love to see Invincible return to Barrow sometime.

ATB
Paul

[SkippyBing]

Would love to see Invincible return to Barrow sometime.

That would involve making her serviceable, rather than just claiming she's in reserve...

[Vulcan_to_the_Sky!]

Its a shame to see VT Going, suppose as has been said it was eventually going to happen.

[SkippyBing]

Ref the VT sell off, I believe the MoD plans involve having one UK shipbuilder/partnership for contracts so the VT sell off was inevitable given the CVF contract. It's a f***ing stupid idea that completely misses the point of market forces etc. but then that's what you get from the bunch of clowns that claim to be the government.

[Pielstick]

That would involve making her serviceable, rather than just claiming she's in reserve...

Indeed. I spent the summer on the FOST tanker (Orangeleaf). We spent most weekends either in Devonport or Portland (when we weren't activated by CTF320 to go chasing the bloody Russians). Everyone commented on how Devonport is nearly empty. One weekend we were sent to Pompey to get the Deputy Defence Minister on board so he could tour an operational RFA shit heap and see how we *REALLY* need new tankers. Sure enough we got there only to find out his visit was cancelled. A few days later we were told the new tankers have been put on hold for eight years. I walking down to Unicorn Gate I passed by the RFA Graveyard, quite sad to see so many ships rotting there, including one I was a cadet on.

I think it's absolutely shameful that we will still be sailing around on the Leaf and Rover tankers eight years from now.