More from Commander Ward
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I tried to read this but gave up after a few pages... 
To say it is a wee bit basis is an under statement, plus there are a few errors to say the least in his arguements.
He appears to igore the design faults in the new carriers, which have not included a basic design requirement for cat/trap operations to allow other aircraft types to operate from the deck, but I suspect he will blame the RAF or someone who is not from RN service.
I will get my coat... before we open up that can of worms.
Happy landing
To say it is a wee bit basis is an under statement, plus there are a few errors to say the least in his arguements. He appears to igore the design faults in the new carriers, which have not included a basic design requirement for cat/trap operations to allow other aircraft types to operate from the deck, but I suspect he will blame the RAF or someone who is not from RN service.
I will get my coat... before we open up that can of worms.
Happy landing
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The first time I heard "Jointery" put forward as the way to go was in 1960, when I was a Grammar School Army Cadet. In 1963 I joined the RAF and in all my service as a Maritime Pilot, I found that the Army were very keen on Jointery, but the RN considered themselves to be the Senior Service and the rest of Her Majesty's Services to be somewhat below them.
What were they smokin' at Dartmouth?
Neptune,
Are you not playing up to the very criticism that you level at Sharky? Ocra very correctly points out that those of us who work at the coal face are commited to making this work. A few years ago I remember one Army Officer describing the RAF as 'Utterly, utterly useless'. The views of the entire Army? Or one slightly hacked off officer. They exist in all 3 services. Dont join their ranks by tarring us all with the same brush.
What were they smokin' at Dartmouth?
Neptune,
Are you not playing up to the very criticism that you level at Sharky? Ocra very correctly points out that those of us who work at the coal face are commited to making this work. A few years ago I remember one Army Officer describing the RAF as 'Utterly, utterly useless'. The views of the entire Army? Or one slightly hacked off officer. They exist in all 3 services. Dont join their ranks by tarring us all with the same brush.
Last edited by AutoBit; 12th Mar 2013 at 16:43.
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White beard and hair, always ranting and raving about the Navy and the war....
Hmmmmmm where have I seen that before?
.
Hmmmmmm where have I seen that before?
.
Last edited by NutLoose; 12th Mar 2013 at 18:46.
I dislike knocking people, particularly someone who has done a job I could never have done, and who has served with distinction in a difficult war.
BUT, the problem here is that Sharkey Ward is to many people the public face of the RN past - its no wonder the RN has a bit of an image problem at times when people keep on bleating about the evil RAF conspiracy and so on. Its very dull, very boring and about as accurate as RAF bombing in WW2
But seriously though, I'm left with the very strong impression that he is no longer taken seriously in Whitehall (the rumour whispered to me was he is now PNG and his long rambling missives no longer get replied to) and that he is now one of those sad individuals dreaming of a brighter past, who is now doing serious damage to the future credibility of the Service he professes to love.
BUT, the problem here is that Sharkey Ward is to many people the public face of the RN past - its no wonder the RN has a bit of an image problem at times when people keep on bleating about the evil RAF conspiracy and so on. Its very dull, very boring and about as accurate as RAF bombing in WW2
But seriously though, I'm left with the very strong impression that he is no longer taken seriously in Whitehall (the rumour whispered to me was he is now PNG and his long rambling missives no longer get replied to) and that he is now one of those sad individuals dreaming of a brighter past, who is now doing serious damage to the future credibility of the Service he professes to love.
It has to be said that Ward sets his sights on some pretty easy targets. The bit about the Air Staff lying for example. He mentions a particularity odious former CAS who liked writing to the press about the MoK pilots being guilty as sin, so Ward can't be all bad.
But he opens himself up to ridicule so often the good comments lose impact.
But he opens himself up to ridicule so often the good comments lose impact.
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Nutty ... Only you could find some way in a Sharkey Ward thread to have a dig at Buster !
Commander Ward needs to keep his Fish Fingers out
Commander Ward needs to keep his Fish Fingers out
Last edited by CoffmanStarter; 12th Mar 2013 at 19:26.
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Come to think of it Commander Ward must know of the PPRuNe Mil Forum ... and I'll bet he lurkes' here often ... strange that he doesn't want to engage though 
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I have read his article and, while there are a fair number of factually dubious statements in it, I find a lot of common sense and sound logic too. In other words, he talks some sense.
Unfortunately he is now such a figure of hate to most of the junior service that if he stated the earth was round he would be rubbished.
What is beyond dispute is this. We are a maritime nation with significant interests to support and protect all around the world. For the Chiefs of Staff in the MoD to have allowed our politicians to abandon our LRMPA and attack aircraft carrier capabilities is outrageous, unbelievable, unforgiveable, criminal.
Unfortunately he is now such a figure of hate to most of the junior service that if he stated the earth was round he would be rubbished.
What is beyond dispute is this. We are a maritime nation with significant interests to support and protect all around the world. For the Chiefs of Staff in the MoD to have allowed our politicians to abandon our LRMPA and attack aircraft carrier capabilities is outrageous, unbelievable, unforgiveable, criminal.
Last edited by Genstabler; 12th Mar 2013 at 20:01.
Keep it in perspective
Chaps,
Whatever you think of Sharkeys ramblings. I had the great pleasure of helping him to convert to Vstol on 233.
A) He was an extremely capable pilot/operator/leader.
B) He was a breath of fresh air to the RAF even if they didn't listen. An aircraft is not the 'be all and end all' to the RN hence a Sqn Cdr has a lot more ability to apply common sense rules than his light blue equivalent.
C) He was Mr. Sea Harrier in the early 80's
D) He let me fly one of his Jets at Yeovilton with only a short brief from 'Bertie'
E) He offered me a job which thank god I declined!
He may rustle a few feathers but so did Montgomery etc. As he showed down South, Sharky is the sort of guy who shines when the chips are down.
Just had to put the record straight.
Lifts a gift
Whatever you think of Sharkeys ramblings. I had the great pleasure of helping him to convert to Vstol on 233.
A) He was an extremely capable pilot/operator/leader.
B) He was a breath of fresh air to the RAF even if they didn't listen. An aircraft is not the 'be all and end all' to the RN hence a Sqn Cdr has a lot more ability to apply common sense rules than his light blue equivalent.
C) He was Mr. Sea Harrier in the early 80's
D) He let me fly one of his Jets at Yeovilton with only a short brief from 'Bertie'
E) He offered me a job which thank god I declined!
He may rustle a few feathers but so did Montgomery etc. As he showed down South, Sharky is the sort of guy who shines when the chips are down.
Just had to put the record straight.
Lifts a gift
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Courtney,
If I may correct the words of my statement to align more closely with the spirit in which it was intended...
The natural predators of Jointery appear to only lurk within/ be subsets of the senior or retired officer cadres.
I don't doubt (have first hand experience of) your own Joint credentials as well as those of many others amongst those senior, retired, deranged and err...deceased.
You know what I meant!
If I may correct the words of my statement to align more closely with the spirit in which it was intended...
The natural predators of Jointery appear to only lurk within/ be subsets of the senior or retired officer cadres.
I don't doubt (have first hand experience of) your own Joint credentials as well as those of many others amongst those senior, retired, deranged and err...deceased.
You know what I meant!
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
We are a maritime nation with significant interests to support and protect all around the world.
Withdrawal from east of Suez was an act of realism, not sabotage.
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We withdrew our military bases from east of Suez. That may indeed have been an act of political realism. However, our national interests remain in the shape of alliances, commerce etc. and we still have significant territorial possessions dotted around the globe, separated from us by sea.
So which of the statements are incorrect?
So which of the statements are incorrect?
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Why not...
Just give up disband the RAF and let the RN run everything with wings and rotors...
I am sure it would be much much better...
His comments are galling to me because the carrier deal stinks and I loath the MOD, Gordon Brown and the RN for foisting this on the UK...
I am sure it would be much much better...
His comments are galling to me because the carrier deal stinks and I loath the MOD, Gordon Brown and the RN for foisting this on the UK...