RN - whatever happened to ...
- Thread starter Twister_Ken
- Start date
Grumpybear
Well-Known Member
At the risk of being politically incorrect, some may be disappointed to learn that the middle one was mostly a flight of Winston Churchill's literary fancy
reginaldon
Well-Known Member
Yes when I was in late forties+ one guy admitted to a homosexual experience - he was completely ostracised, in spite of all the jokes about the golden rivet etc.
ParaHandy
Well-Known Member
... the first sea lord who departed his post (can't be because of old age .. he's only 59) with a swipe at the government ripping his fleet to shreds. We're down to 28 frigates and destroyers plus 12 subs and an aircraft carrier. Since he became 1st sea lord in Sept 2002 Invincible, Sovereign, Spartan, Splendid, Norfolk, Marlborough, Grafton (of BBC tsunami "fame"), Cardiff, Newcastle, Glasgow, Leeds Castle, Sandown, Inverness, Bridport, Cottlesmere, Brecon, Oulverton, Sir Geraint, Sir Percival, Sir Galahad, Sir Tristam and Grey Rover have all gone.
When he was interviewed in Feb 2003 he was asked how he would like to leave the navy: "I intend leaving the Royal Navy with a firm order for the two CVFs, with the ships and other equipment already ordered coming into service and with increased capability in all the fleet's platforms."
He'll be leaving without a single CVF ordered.
He ought to know all about risk and the need for carrier escorts. He was capt of HMS Ardent which sank in the Falklands.
When he was interviewed in Feb 2003 he was asked how he would like to leave the navy: "I intend leaving the Royal Navy with a firm order for the two CVFs, with the ships and other equipment already ordered coming into service and with increased capability in all the fleet's platforms."
He'll be leaving without a single CVF ordered.
He ought to know all about risk and the need for carrier escorts. He was capt of HMS Ardent which sank in the Falklands.
Twister_Ken
Well-Known Member
"He'll be leaving without a single CVF ordered"
Yeah, but at least his iPod will be fully charged.
Seriously though, folks, it does seem that for the moment at least, full-scale nation-vs-nation war with battle fleets ploughing the oceans is not on the cards.
So I guess the question is what sort of fleet do you need to fight policing actions against renegade states that probably don't have more than a clapped-out gunboat and a presidential yot as a navy?
Presumably one that can support the PBI ashore, helo carriers, supply and landing ships, that sort of thing.
Yeah, but at least his iPod will be fully charged.
Seriously though, folks, it does seem that for the moment at least, full-scale nation-vs-nation war with battle fleets ploughing the oceans is not on the cards.
So I guess the question is what sort of fleet do you need to fight policing actions against renegade states that probably don't have more than a clapped-out gunboat and a presidential yot as a navy?
Presumably one that can support the PBI ashore, helo carriers, supply and landing ships, that sort of thing.
landaftaf
Well-Known Member
akshurly no ..... it cannot support unaided the current amfib forces - which is this countries method of global force projection
sad innit - a once proud maritime nation now a toothless lion having to ask others for assets, all in the space of this one gov ........ /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
sad innit - a once proud maritime nation now a toothless lion having to ask others for assets, all in the space of this one gov ........ /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
ParaHandy
Well-Known Member
when we sent the pbi into afghanistan the last time did we not have to modify one of the carriers (Ark Royal?) to turn it into a helicopter carrier .. ? Was thought a crazy move sending a carrier in there at the time as very vulnerable. Ho hum ... and we're off there again
Twister_Ken
Well-Known Member
"Was thought a crazy move sending a carrier in there at the time as very vulnerable"
Vulnerable to what - Taliban navy or airforce? Can't see a Toyota pick up with twin 50mm MGs posing much of a threat.
Vulnerable to what - Taliban navy or airforce? Can't see a Toyota pick up with twin 50mm MGs posing much of a threat.
ParaHandy
Well-Known Member
some orra yin lot nearly did for USS Cole with just a dinghy .. obviously better than mine. Wonder if TCM has thought of a toyota pick-up for his offspring?
onyway, i was listening yesterday to a government trade minister wittering on about how britannia rules the waves, "british presence important for world trade" etc, and later heard of his departing Lordship's opinion on the matter which was strikingly different ....
onyway, i was listening yesterday to a government trade minister wittering on about how britannia rules the waves, "british presence important for world trade" etc, and later heard of his departing Lordship's opinion on the matter which was strikingly different ....
Clive_Rigden
Well-Known Member
I thought his Lordship gave a thoroughly sound interview. A wonderful example of feignt praise!
