UK_Widowmaker 571 Posted February 27, 2010 Had a great day aboard HMS Ark Royal, returning for a visit to her Birthplace on the River Tyne...The Geordie Girl comes home to Newcastle..HURRAH Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
carrick58 23 Posted February 27, 2010 Great Pics cheers Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NS13Jarhead 6 Posted February 28, 2010 Nice pix. I'm always amazed at the sheer scale of naval vessels. I've spent more than 18 months at sea aboard everything from an LST (Landing Ship, Tank) to an LHD (Amphibious Helicopter Carrier) and I'm still trying to figure out how they get something that size to move in the first place. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rickitycrate 10 Posted February 28, 2010 Thanks Simon. Awesome! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olham 164 Posted February 28, 2010 As a kid, I had a model of the aircraft carrier "HMS Ark Royal" from WW2. And I think I read somewhere, that the name "Ark Royal" has a long Navy tradition? Wasn't there even a sailing navy ship with that name earlier? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hasse Wind 46 Posted February 28, 2010 (edited) Great pics! Olham, the Royal Navy has a tradition of keeping the same names for their vessels. Some of them have been in use for centuries (the names, not the ships). Too bad the modern Royal Navy is but a shadow of its former glory. Britain doesn't rule the waves anymore. Edited February 28, 2010 by Hasse Wind Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UK_Widowmaker 571 Posted February 28, 2010 (edited) Great pics! Olham, the Royal Navy has a tradition of keeping the same names for their vessels. Some of them have been in use for centuries (the names, not the ships). Too bad the modern Royal Navy is but a shadow of its former glory. Britain doesn't rule the waves anymore. Don't think anyone does these days.....with the advent of Fire and Forget weapons, Air Power and Nuclear weapons, the waves kinda rule themselves. One of the guys I spoke to, had been on another ship combating Somali Pirates, and had sliced one of their boats clean in half with one of those 20mm guns! Edited February 28, 2010 by UK_Widowmaker Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olham 164 Posted February 28, 2010 Hasse Wind: Too bad the modern Royal Navy is but a shadow of its former glory. Britain doesn't rule the waves anymore. We all have our ups and downs - same for old Egypt, Greece, Rome, China. Now it might be China's turn to rise again. That's history - and may result in human nature. There always seems to come a peak, and after that, it goes down again. And some day - up again. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UK_Widowmaker 571 Posted February 28, 2010 Hasse Wind: Too bad the modern Royal Navy is but a shadow of its former glory. Britain doesn't rule the waves anymore. We all have our ups and downs - same for old Egypt, Greece, Rome, China. Now it might be China's turn to rise again. That's history - and may result in human nature. There always seems to come a peak, and after that, it goes down again. And some day - up again. That's very true Olham....not a massive fan of Empire's generally (except the Game of course)...but they seem to be very important in moving civilisation forward. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RAF_Louvert 101 Posted February 28, 2010 . WOW! Great pics Widowmaker, those carriers really are massive! How long is the Ark Royal going to be anchored there and open to the public? Olham, the original carrier HMS Ark Royal was a converted tramp steamer that first served in the Dardanelles in early 1915. There is a very good "look-alike" of it for OFF in the form of the HMS Furious, as seen here: And for those who haven't already seen it and would like to watch a short clip of the carrier, as well as the Short seaplane from Phase I, click the following link: Dardanelles Campaign Project Video 1 Cheers! Lou . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UK_Widowmaker 571 Posted February 28, 2010 Hi Lou...she sails on the Morning Tide...lol To take delivery of the 12 Harrier's that were sadly nowhere to be seen on the Day!(she was only open to the Public for one day (Saturday)...really glad I went along...and of course, my son now wants to Join the Navy! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
carrick58 23 Posted February 28, 2010 Hasse Wind: Too bad the modern Royal Navy is but a shadow of its former glory. Britain doesn't rule the waves anymore. We all have our ups and downs - same for old Egypt, Greece, Rome, China. Now it might be China's turn to rise again. That's history - and may result in human nature. There always seems to come a peak, and after that, it goes down again. And some day - up again. China seems to be on the rise in business and could very well become the worlds leader. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flyby PC 23 Posted February 28, 2010 (edited) Olham, the original carrier HMS Ark Royal was a converted tramp steamer that first served in the Dardanelles in early 1915.... First carrier yes, but the first ever Ark Royal was built for Sir Walter Raleigh in 16th Century, seeing action in 1588 during Spanish Armada. The WW1 Ark Royal was the second to bear the name, and the current Ark Royal is the fifth. Converting ships to carriers was also done after WW1 due to the surplus of capital ships. The Courageous class carriers, HMS Courageous and HMS Glorious were former light cruisers converted to carry aircraft. Edited February 28, 2010 by Flyby PC Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olham 164 Posted March 1, 2010 Thanks all for the detailed information! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
