R08 Queen Elizabeth leaving Portsmouth

[xkekeith]

Some record shots taken from the retail emporium Gunwharf Quay over the heads of the crowd.....

ZH846 Merlin HM2 820 Sqn RN by Keith Heywood, on Flickr

ZH856 Merlin HM2 820 Sqn RN by Keith Heywood, on Flickr

ZH837 Merlin HM2 820Sqn RN by Keith Heywood, on Flickr

Large crowds gathered to see her leave

[deerhunter]

Nice shots, Up the Navy!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Hunter49]

Just a question? does the ship have any self defence weapons. Rob Thanks

[Nighthawke]

According to Wikipedia she does:
"Defensive weapons include the Phalanx Close-In Weapons System for anti-aircraft and anti-missile defence, and 30mm Automated Small Calibre Guns and Miniguns for use against fast attack craft."

[F3]

Nice pics of an impressive ship. Pity we can't afford all the escort vessels to protect her! A carrier on her own is just submarine bait, or are we relying on our NATO allies to provide the rest of the Battle Group? which is ok unless we get another Falklands situation. That's one war we could nt fight with today's tiny Navy.

[tornado17]

According to Wikipedia she does:
"Defensive weapons include the Phalanx Close-In Weapons System for anti-aircraft and anti-missile defence, and 30mm Automated Small Calibre Guns and Miniguns for use against fast attack craft."

Phalanx is not fitted yet, I think their positions will be on the lower part of deck you can see in the 1st and 3rd images. Starboard side position is, I believe, on a lower deck just forward of the forward island.

[Snoop 95]

1. Yes, as I understand it we are relying upon other NATO nations to make up the carrier escort group.
2. RN Aircraft used to carry the tail code of the vessel to which they were attached. 'R' was the Ark's, but I suspect that we cannot afford the luxury of having aircraft dedicated to any one vessel or station. Same aircraft will appear at various locations!
3. BBC say 2 F35's will practice deck landings. Ours or USMC?

[Davef68]

USMC I beleive (But initial landing at least will be done by one of the British test/evaluation pilots). It could be one of the UK Instrumented test aircraft.

[paddyboy]

Well said, 'F3'

Nice shots, by the way

Thanks for posting

Paddyboy