Falklands now without naval cover for the first time since the Falklands War
I recall being at one of those daily briefs in the Tick-tock down at MPA. Virtually every day the RN rep was asked about the progress of the much-delayed guard ship - I think it was the Iron Duck?
"Any news on your ship?", he asked
"Yes, sir, it left port over the weekend"
"So when's it due?"
"Err, we don't know sure. On her way down she was sent to sit off Freetown!"
I had visions of dozens of matelots being hurled from their hammocks as Iron Duck went "Turnabout left, turnabout left...Go!"
I don't think that Iron Duck ever turned up on that occasion; after time in Sierra Leone they probably went direct to a number of pre-arranged cockersPs in the Caribbean. And who could blame them? Which probably left Bouncy Castle as the only ship down south.
"Any news on your ship?", he asked
"Yes, sir, it left port over the weekend"
"So when's it due?"
"Err, we don't know sure. On her way down she was sent to sit off Freetown!"
I had visions of dozens of matelots being hurled from their hammocks as Iron Duck went "Turnabout left, turnabout left...Go!"
I don't think that Iron Duck ever turned up on that occasion; after time in Sierra Leone they probably went direct to a number of pre-arranged cockersPs in the Caribbean. And who could blame them? Which probably left Bouncy Castle as the only ship down south.
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Dear Lord, what a sorry bunch of posts. Partly due to changing definitions, I grant you. Have any of you ever seen the FI (I shall call it) Defence Plan?
No, the plan included beaming Deliverance to Argentina, followed by polite enquiries to the Argentine forces as to whether they would be prepared to "Squeal like a pig" after having been given a 'High Six' by the Bennies / Stills / Andies.....
I have to say, the HMS Clyde Patrol Vessel is rather short on credible arms. Not really a Warship I would say.
Door Slider,
Wrong, you are well out of date and are also thinking of the other three ships in the Class. They WERE leased for ten years but were purchased outright in 2012. Clyde was an outright buy.
Torqueofthedevil,
The Clyde is a very much more sophisticated vessel than either of the Castle's.
Wrong, you are well out of date and are also thinking of the other three ships in the Class. They WERE leased for ten years but were purchased outright in 2012. Clyde was an outright buy.
Torqueofthedevil,
The Clyde is a very much more sophisticated vessel than either of the Castle's.
The Clyde is a very much more sophisticated vessel than either of the Castle's.
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BEagle, IRDK did eventually turn to, mid NOV 00, and proceeded to be a pain in the bum. This is her entering harbour, taken from the rather lively bridge of the tug INDOMITABLE.
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Well, that looks significantly more threatening than HMS Endurance, which was the primary defence until 1982. That and approximately 12 Marines.
I thought that the whole reason I went to the Falklands to build a significant military specification airfield (Shhhhh!) was so that we could deploy a very large number of personnel and associated equipment within 24 hours.
In defence of modesty, there were a few thousand others helping me with the construction.
The point remains. Margaret Thatcher International Airport is there for a reason.
I thought that the whole reason I went to the Falklands to build a significant military specification airfield (Shhhhh!) was so that we could deploy a very large number of personnel and associated equipment within 24 hours.
In defence of modesty, there were a few thousand others helping me with the construction.
The point remains. Margaret Thatcher International Airport is there for a reason.
300- were you there same time as me - Jan-May 86 - when I signed for most of the construction and handed it over to PSA. Lived on contractors' rules - LMA and +WTW- for the first 10 weeks approx, then the "military" took control, and immediately withdrew duvets, and fresh salad and fruit disappeared off the menu!
