Carrier Incident...

[petermcleland]

A friend was on an RFA which was drawing alongside a Carrier (when we had such things!) for a RAS...Suddenly the RFA was waved off from the carrier and then this happened:-













Later, someone on the carrier offered copies of the photos and my friend grabbed a set. He recently scanned them for me. He is not sure which carrier it was but he thinks it might have been Eagle.

[DaveB]

Hi Peter

HMS Eagle had the big 'Dustbin' radar abaft the bridge and those shots don't show it present. Also.. not sure if it is relevant but the R code on the Scimitars fin denotes Ark Royal

EDIT: Could be this one.. http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=160853

ATB
DaveB

[petermcleland]

I'll tell my mate...I'm sure he will remember if it was off the coast of Malaya and that would clinch it...Thanks Dave

Edit..."R-015 of 803 Squadron"...That does clinch it

[DaveB]

Rgr that Peter

The ships superstructures changed many times over the years and both were, over their life, very similar. However, I felt sure that Eagle had the Dustbin (3D search radar) fitted by the time she had Scimitars embarked and this, coupled with the crash info and aircraft markings (noting the Wafu's head blocking the airframe ID!!) pretty much confirmed it was Ark Royal in the shot. I believe that Eagle was knocking around in the same part of the world too.. those were the days!

ATB
DaveB

[mayagrafix]

Hark ye, fear not!

alongside a Carrier (when we had such things!) for a RAS

Soon to be a member of the carrier club again :<)

[TSR2]

You'd think, but by the time we get aircraft that can operate from it, we'll have sold it to the French

[mayagrafix]

My understanding is that the QE class carriers are to be stocked with Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II wonder-weapon (it's a wonder if it will ever fly straight!) which fleet is currently grounded due to mysterious fires upon take off, so I understand your doubts. On a lighter note, the debut of the all-in-one wonder F-35 next month during the Farnborough International Airshow in Britain is going ahead as scheduled. Plan to attend and say hello to your future (many years worth of) tax returns

BTW, thanks Pete for the great pictures and insight into aircraft carrier prangs. Sorry to hijack your thread Sir, you may have it back now.

[basys]

Hi Folks

debut of the all-in-one wonder F-35 next month during the Farnborough International Airshow

Farnborough might be upstaged on Friday 4th,
by an appearance alongside Lusty for the 2 Queens.

ATB
Paul

[sketchy74]

You'd think, but by the time we get aircraft that can operate from it, we'll have sold it to the French

Who will then sell it on to the Russians....

[TSR2]

looks like no F-35's for RAIT...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-28257349