Apache on Ark Royal

[Navaleye]

Here (http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/EquipmentAndLogistics/ApacheMakesItsDebutOnArkRoyal.htm)

Also:

Another notable visitor to the ship the day after the Apache trial was Rear Admiral Alan Massey, Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff. As a Captain, Admiral Massey was Ark Royal's commanding officer during the Iraq war.

The reason for his visit was twofold: to see for himself the ship's regeneration effort and to join her in commemorating the anniversary of the Fleet Air Arm's crushing raid on Mussolini's fleet at Taranto in 1940. To mark the occasion two RAF Tornado aircraft overflew the carrier.

WTF has the RAF got to do with Taranto? The Navy would be just as well sending over a couple of Merlins - same speed (but maybe less range than a Swordfish) and not as well armed. :D

[Guernsey Girl II]

Navaleye,

http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/nav.3252

It looks like on the average day the FAA may have more serviceable Swordfish than Merlins :)

[Navaleye]

You are right! When Ocean goes into refit, have some basic arrestor gear stuck on the stern and we are back in the torpedo bomber business!

[Magic Mushroom]

Navaleye,

WTF has the RAF got to do with Taranto?

Ever heard of someone called Warby Warburton?:rolleyes:

Regards,
MM

[TheWizard]

Navaleye,
Ever heard of someone called Warby Warburton?:rolleyes:
Regards,
MM

Does he make bread?:}

[althenick]

Navaleye,
Ever heard of someone called Warby Warburton?:rolleyes:
Regards,
MM
Good post MM Just Googled and came up with http://www.raf.mod.uk/ptc/warburton.html (this)
Question however, If the RAF were able to reach Taranto to photograph it then why did they not bomb it? Were there no bombers in the area?

[Magic Mushroom]

Althenick,

Like many other of Britain's forces in Nov 1940, bomber resources were few and far between and being retained in Britain to attack Germany. Resources from Malta continued to be stretched for another 2 years and it was only the superb Joint efforts of all 3 services (together with a monumental failure by Hitler to appreciate the offensive significance of the Island to his Med and North African campaigns), but particularly the RAF and RN which allowed the Island to slowly build up again as an offensive base. That said, Swordfish with torps would still have offered the best weapons delivery solution against Taranto even if we'd have had bombers available.

I suspect that Archimedes will be along soon for a more informed data burst!
Regards,
MM

[Navaleye]

Coastal Command did an outstanding job, often with poor equipment handed down from other commands and they deserve more credit than they got.

[Boy In Blue]

agreed Navaleye. many had to do 30 trips to germany before they got to CC.