Re.John Farleys comments - spot on as always
- I've often wondered why HMS Ocean is so delibrately a helicopter only vessel, with no ski-ramp and indeed a goalkeeper at the end of the flat flight deck.
This seems a deliberate denial of use to Harriers, which would be an extremely useful asset; in any real war, the Captain / Admiral would be screaming for air cover; as pillocks with shiny chairs have ditched the Sea Harrier with AMRAAM,the next best option is the Harrier 2+, which while slower with an inferior radar has AMRAAM capabality.
These are actually available right now from storage, and have the advantage of a great deal of ' commonality ' with the the GR9's operated by Joint Force Harrier.
But since when have politicians, apart from W.Curchill, taken any notice, until it's too late ?!
Meanwhile the fleet has to rely on type 42's...
Last edited by Double Zero; 9th Jul 2009 at 11:37.