Illustrious to the Med - Again !

[Lower Hangar]

My cousin's been out for brisk sail on the Solent today and on his way home (on a broad reach ) he was overtaken by Illustrious - which is now berthed at Marchwood - now what is it doing there ??

[airborne_artist]

I can't possibly imagine. Is the PM in any bother? Would it help take the hoi polloi's mind off the economy if we supported some people who want regime change with our military know-how and air assets?

[Lower Hangar]

He wouldn't do that would he ?

[WE992]

Perhaps its getting ready for when the Argies invade the Falklands again!

[Rigga]

I thinks that's a bit risky - sending the whole boat?

Can't we keep some of it in reserve?

[diginagain]

This place seriously needs a 'like' function.

[Milo Minderbinder]

I thinks that's a bit risky - sending the whole boat?

They're not

They're sending the boat without the aircraft. Reduces the risk, and the cost

[parabellum]

Well, Marchwood is the home of 17 Port & Maritime Regt RLC so maybe they are loading some landing craft and port handling equipment?

[Load Toad]

Surely if we have stealth technology they wouldn't know if the 'planes were on the boat or not?

[Gulfstreamaviator]

Parked in E Bay........

If she calls in to GIB, can I have a ride round the bay please.

glf

[BEagle]

Illustrious to the Med - again!

No doubt so that she can put the wind up Bashar al-Assad with the presence of her F/A2 and GR9 air group....

...ah, bugger :mad:. OK, a handful of clattering things to annoy the locals...:(

[NutLoose]

I bet it would go into a cold sweat as it sails past Turkey.

[sandiego89]

I bet it would go into a cold sweat as it sails past Turkey

I bet!

Maybe the USMC could sell back a few GR.9's. Perhaps a few million mark up and a small handling fee from BAE to activate them :}

[Finnpog]

Maybe it could work alongside a USMC flat top (so to speak) and provide additional capacity & capability for embarked air.

[Finningley Boy]

Perhaps in a deal with the buyer, the Illustrious is to be given a lick of paint and some new furniture before being sold on?

FB:)

[Milo Minderbinder]

Is that before it goes to Macau to be the next nightclub / casino for the Chinese to learn how to re-engineer?

[racedo]

Parked in E Bay........


Don't you mean on sale / hire to highest bidder

[N707ZS]

The Spanish might lend us theirs harriers they have the planes but no boat.