New British Aircraft Carriers

[Oso]

Sounds like you Brits have the same problematic Naval/ Politician relationaship that we have here.

Here's a solution - have your shipbuilders install Port Holes in the Politicians navals. Then they can see out whilst they have their heads up their asses.  ;D

[Hagar]

I'm with Craig on this. Although the Harrier can take off vertically (still very impressive) I don't think it would need to for normal operations. This would not be practical when heavily loaded & would use far too much fuel just to get airborne. That's the reason the ski-jump ramp was incorporated on the British carriers.