GreenKnight121, your link and picture are very interesting. Seems our Japanese friends are rather worried about the blue water aspirations of their Chinese neighbors.

Buster, is that a B47 performing a rather difficult maneuver for the sake of it? surely in an aircraft of that capability one would suggest forward travel as best practice. Or is there an element of photoshop in that photo?

NutLoose, Whilst the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has not suffered the ravages of the cuts imposed upon the UK's Reduced Navy (RN), those involved still have to extend a sympathetic ear to the concerns of the bean-counters. Therefore, fitted-for-but-not-with is the new black, especially if we are to afford a Sqn or two of those naughtily expensive F35's.

Oh, it's photoshopped alright! When was the last time you saw a chopper pilot with a tie on?

When it is a heliport moored in London Docklands?

Definitely cheaper to keep the ramp. Subcontractors on LHD charge like a wounded bull for any changes.

When said large lump of metal arrives in Williamstown (to have the superstructure built/fitted) it's going to severely curtail the daylight getting into my office.

I definitely wouldn't say it's an ego trip, and is less likely to injure the crew (unlike Kanimbula and Manoora, LHD is likely to be seaworthy).

Of course there is a bit of a capability gap for the next 5 years or so, hence why a second hand buy/lease is being looked at (hope that works out, RAN haven't had great luck with second hand kit recently).