Illustrious nearly loses a Merlin
 

Saw this just now on UKAR forum.... thought others here might be interested

http://www.shipspotting.com/modules/...php?lid=642673

Photo
 

Anyone like to spill the beans.


http://media.shipspotting.com/upload...%21/642673.jpg

They may have nearly lost a Merlin, but it looks like they're definitely short of an aircraft tug now, hope the individual that was driving it is ok, assuming they didn't jump out before it went swimming...

-RP

I wonder what happened to the operator at the other end of the towing arm. Hopefully not hurt.

Wheel change. No jacks available due to cost cutting.:ok:

Other websites have it that the tow wagon was accidentally put into reverse & the brakes on the Merlin failed. Driver jumped clear before it went over the side, and the tow point snapped with the force of the truck falling

What A Day
 

Seeing on another forum that the Queen visited the ship the day after it happened, before it was craned off, I bet the Capt was slightly uneasy as the Her Majesty walked onto the flight deck.....:E

No need to feel uneasy, HM is quite a good driver...
I think it's just the RN trying to provide a Caption Comp photo..
TP

This is silly - I can see it, it isn't lost!!!! Is this like the kings new cloths, and I am..............no, I wont go there.

where was the liney with his trusty chocks?? You are moving an aircraft in very tight quarters, you'd have an extra brakeman wouldn't you??

Hey give them a break, I expect its bloody difficult to move a cab on a deck packed with other aircraft.

The lads/lasses that do the shunting are not called aircraft manglers for nothing :E

According to rumours, an attempt to park the Merlin on the ramp caused the whole issue, driver managed to jump free before the tug went overboard. Floating crane was brought in to recover the tug. And yes the Queen was present the evening prior, before sailing with a local yacht for dinner with the Turkish PM. We were berthed next to the HMS Illustrious, and the entire spectacle provided a few hours of entertainment for my daywatch. Was a surprise to see how small our aircraft carriers are, when dwarfed by a cruise ship.

Strek said.....
"Seeing on another forum that the Queen visited the ship the day after it happened, before it was craned off, I bet the Capt was slightly uneasy as the Her Majesty walked onto the flight deck....."

Aviate adds...
The Merlin M'am? Why it's kneeling, in respect. :rolleyes:

1138, :D:D:D, Very funny!!

Hardly surprising when you consider that they are not really aircraft carriers at all.

They were introduced as "through deck cruisers", and previous to that "command cruisers".

A real carrier such as the Nimitz class is much bigger - four or five times the displacement of Lusty.

That's exactly what I said to Mrs wub as I took this last week:
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h2...ul/Carrier.jpg

Just on a side issue, am I right in thinking that Illustrious has recently come out of a refit? If so has someone been skimping on the coats of paint? If the job was done properly surely there would be no rust weeps?