Ark Royal

[Tequila Sunrise]

I saw a documentary last night about the flagship of the RN during its deployment to the recent Iraq conflict (this aint political its about the ship and her incopotent crew!).
During a training exersise to repaire "a hull breach" it took 48 mins to find a F****** spaner (wrench). The crew didn't apreciate the fact that they were 60 miles of the Iraqi coast at anchor and well within the range of Iraqs Exocets, of all navies shouldn't the RN be the most causious of these missiles?
There was a good bit when a US admiral came on board though. He was given a breifing by the officers of the Ark explaining what the ship is capable of and why she is important to the coalition. The look on this guys face was priceless . Compared to what he is used to the Ark is a lifeboat with a pistol and a pidgeon coup

[Craig.]

i watched in amazement and horror at that particular point. they really are lucky they wernt attacked. something tells me ark royal may not have been in one piece if it was attacked.
and that one cook woman, shes like going on about "oh we could be at war and i dont care" the only thing i care about is my parents and dog.
thats a good thing to be broadcasting about your flagships crew.

[Blade]

LOL! Damn Exocets, Iraq almost sunk one of our frigates with one during the first Gulf War, they called it an "accident".

[ozzy72]

I'm not saying anything. Two of my uncles were officers in the RN. One is thicker than two v.short planks!!!!

Ozzy

[Tequila Sunrise]

Hey Mark if I ever mention trying to get into the FAA as opposed to the AAC if I get refused by the RAF kick me a few times, please.....
(trying to see how many abreviations I can get in one sentance  :P)

[ozzy72]

I faithfully promise as a fellow Scot (well half Scot in my case) that if you mention joing the FAA I will firmly applied my para boots unto your bottom until you see sense.

Mark

[Hagar]

Methinks it's just as well Woody is away right now.  ::)

It strikes me the RN is a tad accident prone of late. Wonder what Admiral Lord Nelson would have to say about it? Fings definitely ain't what they used to be.  :o

[Tequila Sunrise]

lol, just wait till he gets to this one .
thanks Mark, I knew I could count on you.

[ozzy72]

 There was a good bit when a US admiral came on board though. He was given a breifing by the officers of the Ark explaining what the ship is capable of and why she is important to the coalition. The look on this guys face was priceless . Compared to what he is used to the Ark is a lifeboat with a pistol and a pidgeon coup

I suppopse, at least they have a Carrier or two. Australia had one until the late '70's (I think). The Melbourne. It's said to have been jinxed. It went about running into other ships, with monotonous regularity (a Google search "HMAS Melbourne" should prove informative if you're interested.

We ended up selling it to the Chinese for scrap. Our first, last, best and only Carrier.
Far too expensive for a liitle concern like the RAN. (Especailly when you keep having 'prangs' with other ships - Christ, aren't the oceans big enough??)

It was also once said that we had more military aircraft on the Melbourne than we did on land, anywhere.
That would have been true!  ;D

[ozzy72]

Brensec I think the problem is that Commonwealth navies tend to be copies of the RN, so unlike the USN our ships aren't dry, but you Aussies really know how to drink, none of this glass of sherry aperitif nonesense, you guys go for a case of beer!!!! Maybe this explains the odd collision trying to avoid the other 19 identical fuzzy wobbly boats nearby

Ozzy

[ozzy72]

Brensec I think the problem is that Commonwealth navies tend to be copies of the RN, so unlike the USN our ships aren't dry, but you Aussies really know how to drink, none of this glass of sherry aperitif nonesense, you guys go for a case of beer!!!! Maybe this explains the odd collision trying to avoid the other 19 identical fuzzy wobbly boats nearby

Ozzy

Very true. Our ships aren't dry. There would be mutiny if they were.
However, I can't see an Aussie being too bluRry eyed after only a carton, for Christ's sake, it's only 24 cans.

But then, maybe they were having a celebration of some sort, which involved personal Kegs.......lol

[ozzy72]

Probably celebrating one of those rare events like the sun rising in the morning huh?

[ozzy72]

Probably celebrating one of those rare events like the sun rising in the morning huh?

Well it does only happen once a day.
Plenty of excuse to kick the Barbie in guts and down a few pig's ears.  No worries..................mate.  ;D

[ozzy72]

Maybe I should move back to Geelong, I miss that sooo much

[Professor Brensec]

Oh yeah............piece 'o piss!