7th January. Western Approaches. Shall we see a Nimrod?

[Navaleye]

I'm hoping that if 201 are planning any sorties on the 7th January, the Western Approaches will be a good place to be because you will be greeted by the fine sight of the QE2 and the brand new Queen Victoria sailing from Southampton to NY together for the one and only time. QE2 goes next year.

[Pontius Navigator]

Navaleye, they might be shut still, or just opening shop. Now a word in the right ear?

Really need two Nimrods.

[andgo]

quote 'they might be shut, or just opening shop'

Apart fom all those crews on PCF/SAR/OPS or in the sandy place:E

Good idea though, perhaps worth talking to Ops.

[Pontius Navigator]

andgo, but you know what I mean :)

[andgo]

Of course mate.
Definately worth a look, even if its the following day. Any idea of ETD

[Navaleye]

They both depart Southampton on the 6th at 5pm, so the on following day, they will be in the South Western Approaches, about 80 miles SE of Fastnet about noon on 7th. From then its the northerly Great Circle to NY. If someone is going to put in an appearance, I'll get the correct announcements made so everyone knows who's who. I'll get some snaps of you and post them here. I'll be on the QE2.
Update: actually, they'll be east of that position. QV doesn't have the legs of QE2 so it won't be such a quick passage. Two large contacts travelling due west at 20 knots should be easy to spot.

[Monkey Madness]

Ask the tasker at EGWX nicely, yuo never know what they might say..... :ok:

[Magnersdrinker]

As long as its not over a weekend im sure us groundies can provide a serviceable jet :ok:

[camelspyyder]

2 Nimrods - North of Scotland to the SWAPPS and back just to take some PR pics for Cunard... just how much of my taxes do you plan on wasting on this!!!:\

Ooops "Nimrod" and "PR" in the same sentence... that hasn't been allowed since the AEW3 ate a billion pounds of the same taxes.:)

CS

[Green Flash]

Why will it need 2 Nimrods? :confused: And no need to task a trip just to the ships. Flex a SWAPs or Azores SAR trail cab or CT job over them.

[Biggus]

GF,

Okay, I'll bite. Two Nimrods for the same reason the RN send two helos on SAR missions - so one can take pictures of the other. So, in this case, they can get a picture of a Nimrod flying past the two liners......

At least I assume that is why, or is a serviceability thing, like the how do you get 4 serviceable F3s airborne quote - start 8!

[andgo]

CAMELSPYYDER.

For a standard OPS/CT with opportunity to take some pics it will cost considerably less than any airshow(PR) or the Queens jubilee/birthday flypast involving over 25 frames.
If its done as part of a training sortie there should be no problem. Locate, track, photo. Sound familiar:E

[Green Flash]

Biggus

Ah, yes. Of course. OK, send 2. PA 1 and PA 2 :}:rolleyes:;)

[camelspyyder]

how much training will I get out of a CT with 3 hours wasted in the transit to the SWAPPS and back.

We closed down the Cornish Nimrod force in '92. Otherwise I'm sure they would have been glad to help.

CS

[andgo]

About the same as any other OPS/CT to the SWAPPS or Thurs war.....:ok:

[johno617tonka]

dont the americans have an even better sight....

QE2 + QM + QV all in one place..(well relatively speaking!!)

[Navaleye]

Just the QE2 and the QV on the 7th Jan.
All three meet in New York on January 13, we arrive together, QM2 first then QE2 and QV. QE2 and QV dock in Manhattan, QM2 in Brooklyn. At 6pm we all arrive off the statue of liberty where a firework display will take place. The only time 3 "Queens" have been in NY. For the next day all three will sail together until the QM2 heads for Barbados and QE2 and the QV head to Fort Lauderdale where I jump ship.
It would be great if the Mighty Hunter crew could make an appearance, its a special occasion and it won't happen again. Ever.

[thunderbird7]

Amazing! Last time I flew past QE2 ( in the days of Concorde ) they were 2 f***n sniffy 2 speak 2 a scruffy brown bomber. If Cunard want some cheap advertising, perhaps they could put the money in the poppy fund pot - publicly.

[coldbuffer]

QM2 and QE2 will be sailing together 'westbound' in October 08, this will be the last westbound crossing of the QE2 before it heads to sandy places.

[Navaleye]

nan2002,
Sorry for confusion, they do adopt two different tracks depending on the time of year and the weather. The southerly being more of a dog leg. Technically not a great circle but that's what its referred to. For the first few days they are one the same thing. I'll be checking PMs regularly if anyone is fancies stopping bye :)
I remember the QE2/QM2 jaunt in 2004 with a Hawk for company.

See Beagles pic below. I've got a better camera this time.

[BEagle]

How many old queens in the picture....??

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a341/nw969/Queens.jpg

More seriously, a photo-op of all the Cunard Queens together would be a most memorable event.

Enjoy your cruise, Navaleye!

[Double Zero]

" The only time 3 queens have been seen in New York "

- are you sure about that ?! :E

Enjoy your trip, sincerely; though I do sympathise with the idea that Cunard could contribute to the poppy fund...

[anotherthing]

Biggus - I assume your post dated 25th Nov was in jest?

2 SAR cabs are used for mutual support, not for a 'photo opportunity' - used when on especially arduous or distant SAROPs.

Obviously if all is going well and nothing is untoward, then the second cab can video the rescue as a secondary role.

[Navaleye]

Enjoy your trip, sincerely; though I do sympathise with the idea that Cunard could contribute to the poppy fund...

Thank you all, I'll do my best :). DZ, your idea is a good one. I would write to Carol. Marlow, CEO of Cunard and suggest just that, with photo attached!

[zedder]

Don't know what time they sail, but if you are a sad spotter (yes I admit I am) and register, you can track them down the Channel when they sail:

http://aisfree.aislive.com/Influx.aspx?Map=Port%20of%20Southampton

Unfortunately no Nimrods due down that way tomorrow, unless we get a SAR shout!

[Navaleye]

Zedder,

We sailed at 6pm, sailing at 18kts due west, should be past Bishops Rock at 4am, then into the Western Approaches after. Much slower than normal. The Queen Victoria swims slower then my dog. Still fun though and a great departure, very memorable. I now have five days of maritime history lectures ahead of me, even with a hangover. :}

The Chartroom bar on the QE2 has a huge backlit chart of the north atlantic. It has two shipwrecks marked on it. One is the Titanic (as you would expect), the other is the Bismarck. I always point it out to our teutonic friends, but they never seem to smile.

Thanks for the thought.

Navaleye

[sapper]

This evening at 22:46 I had the privilage of speaking to both Queen Victoria & Queen E2, to wish them both safe passage, as the sailed (steamed) passed Portland Bill at 20kts heading SW and onwards in to the Atlantic, destination New York. Can still see them on AIS clearing the SW bound lanes, bit rough out there though.

[Navaleye]

Sapper the work your organisation does is very much appreciated. It was indeed fabulously choppy so I thought I'd share these with y'all. They weren't taken at the same time.

No 1 (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/Navaleye/QE2Jan08Tandem.jpg)

No 2 (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/Navaleye/qe2jan08tandemVoyage1.jpg)

No 3 (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/Navaleye/IMG_0479.jpg)

No 4 (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/Navaleye/IMG_0480.jpg)

No 5 (http://aycu21.webshots.com/image/37420/2004477290909668108_rs.jpg)

One is a true North Atlantic liner that could easily go 10 kts faster. The other thing was taking goffers at 18kts and had to slow down.

[L J R]

Couple of pictures there make me not want to travel in a boat. Reminds me of the dinghy drills really, and we know how much we look forward to those!

[clicker]

Perhaps I'm getting old but QV looks like a block of flats lying down with a pointy bit.

QE2 certainly looks the better of the two Queens.

[BEagle]

When I were a lad, practically everyone ay my prep school could draw a picture of the QE or QM.... Usually the same except for the Mary's extra funnel. The era of the great Atlantic liners was just ending back then - but I remember being taken to Southampton for a tour of the Mary and seeing the Queen Elizabeth nearby.

We also devoured every scrap of information during the construction of the 'Canberra' and (original) 'Oriana'. Both sadly scrapped now.

But that's the first time I've ever seen a picture of the Queen Victoria. God, but it's ugly! Presumably it must attract some tourist interest though?

Looking at that sea, I'm rather glad that the Comet 4 and Boeing 707 heralded the era of rather quicker and more comfortable trans-Atlantic travel though.

[Navaleye]

BEagle,

That was nothing compared to how it was the year before :uhoh::ouch: I agree the QV is ugly, but less so in the flesh.

We put into Kure in 93, so I went to see and film the original Oriana in Japan after she was used as a "tourist attraction". Appalling. This is why I'm so passionate that the QE2 does not share the same miserable fate. Better the torch.

[Gainesy]

Was that thing modeled on Ibiza seafront?:yuk:

[GOLF_BRAVO_ZULU]

Navaleye. Is QV's forecastle significantly shorter than QE2's? Having the forward glasswork that close to the goffers doesn't look very comfortable for the easily alamed.

[francophile69]

As an ex P&O Engineer I would like to see any photos you may have of the "Oriana" from that era. Her fate after the period you mention was very sad.

Always also brings a tear to my eye to see pictures of the "Bogey" on Gadani beach.

When P&O said she was going to be scrapped it was upsetting, especially as they had offers to buy her. They stuck by their tradition of never having a ship that was ordered for P&O sail under another flag and must admit in hindsight that was probably the correct decision.

Mind you not sure if Cunard (Carnival) have much of a choice concerning the "Black Pig", can't see anyone wanting to run that.....:p

Your story of Q.V. not having same characteristics as a proper ship reminds me of the maiden voyage of the Royal Princess. I was on the Canberra at the time and we left Southampton the day after heading for Fort Lauderdale. Force 12 and the RP turned around and legged it, we slowed down to 12 knots until we picked up an SOS from a French yacht, increase speed to 18 knots to go and look for it (unsuccessfully as it happens).
Not many ships could do 18 knots in a Force 12, didn't see a punter for 2 days and made for rather an interesting watch in the kettle shed; water out of top of sight glass, brown trouser moment, oops water back in sight glass, and now out the bottom, brown trouser moment...try that for 4 hours, dribbling wreck by the end of it.... Arrived in Florida 2 days before the new "flagship".

I apologise for the thread drift.

If anyone interested
www.sscanberra.com
www.seadogs-reunited.com (bit in-house but lots of piccies)

Apologies again if I'm not supposed to post links

I have looked unsuccessfully for photos of the three Queens in New York, any links would be appreciated

[Navaleye]

The answer is its a LOT shorter. The QE2's is that long for good reason. For the QV design they did actually lengthen it by 11ft over her sisters, but its still far too short for that kind of sea. Which is why we were so comfortable and that lot weren't. Long fo'c'sle's don't make much money, so the one on the QE2 is the last one you are ever likely to see. Another icon goes.

francophile69: Some old Oriana pics below. This is why I rather see QE2 scrapped. these were taken in 93 and just look at the state of her.

1 (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/Navaleye/old_Oriana1.jpg)

2 (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/Navaleye/old_Oriana3.jpg)

3 (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/Navaleye/old_Oriana2.jpg)

4 (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y184/Navaleye/old_Oriana1.jpg)

[Navaleye]

francophile69,

As requested. QM2 QV and QE2. Boy was it cold.

http://www.cunard.co.uk/images/Content/3-Qs.jpg

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/graphics/2008/01/14/et-cunard-114.jpg

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/graphics/2008/01/14/queen/queen06.jpg