RN Aircraft Carriers: HMS Prince of Wales

[Pelican]

The Royal Navy becomes a two-carrier navy – HMS Prince of Wales sails for the first time

Today the second of the Royal Navy’s new aircraft carriers, HMS Prince of Wales left the dockyard in Rosyth for the first time. The word “milestone” has been used excessively to describe important moments the carrier project but today is another big step forward for a ship that many expected never to see service with the RN.
Aided by nine tugs, in a very carefully choreographed procedure, PoW left the basin and is now at anchor off Rosyth for engine testing and various trials. She will await a low tide before passing under the Forth Bridges, probably on the Saturday 21st September. The exact length of time she will spend on Part 1 sea trials is undetermined but could take around 8 weeks and she is likely to make her first entry in Portsmouth in late November. Captain Darren Houston is in command and is particularly well qualified to oversee the difficult evolution of getting the carrier to sea. He is the former Executive Officer (XO) of HMS Queen Elizabeth and was on board when she first sailed in June 2017 and also when QE returned to Rosyth for refit and departed again in May 2019.

Continues at - https://www.savetheroyalnavy.org/the-ro ... _BMiToHlbk

Note "There are some minor differences between the PoW and her older sister (More details on this in a future article). PoW will be fitted with the ‘Bedford Array’, a set of lights embedded on the centreline of the flight deck which will guide pilots when making a Shipborne Rolling Vertical Landing (SRVL), initially as a technical demonstrator. PoW will also be the lead ship for developing the QEC aircraft carrier in the Littoral Manoeuvre (Helicopter assault ship) role."

[Little h]

PoW R09

Observation seen in video of PoW; but not seen these three contraptions (under green wraps) on the fwd island (inboard) on QE R08

Screenshot (5099).png

Screenshot from video by ForcesNews, see:-


HMS Prince of Wales Retweeted
Forces News
‏Verified account @ForcesNews
1h1 hour ago

Britain's latest aircraft carrier has set sail from Rosyth dockyard to begin sea trials for the first time.

@HMSPWLS will be tested in areas including speed and propulsion over the coming weeks.

We went to see the carrier in Rosyth just before it left the dockyard

[jbryce1437]

PoW R09

Observation seen in video of PoW; but not seen these three contraptions (under green wraps) on the fwd island (inboard) on QE R08

Screenshot (5099).png

Could they be cameras with their covers on?

Jim

[Little h]

PoW R09

Observation seen in video of PoW; but not seen these three contraptions (under green wraps) on the fwd island (inboard) on QE R08

Screenshot (5099).png

Could they be cameras with their covers on?

Jim

At this stage it's as good a suggestion as any we shall read on the thread - we shall see

[Little h]

The Royal Navy becomes a two-carrier navy – HMS Prince of Wales sails for the first time


Note "There are some minor differences between the PoW and her older sister (More details on this in a future article). PoW will be fitted with the ‘Bedford Array’, a set of lights embedded on the centreline of the flight deck which will guide pilots when making a Shipborne Rolling Vertical Landing (SRVL), initially as a technical demonstrator. PoW will also be the lead ship for developing the QEC aircraft carrier in the Littoral Manoeuvre (Helicopter assault ship) role."

See also these observations previously posted:-

27599132027_b34b832313_o ACA PoW R09 Flickr copy (3).jpg

,POW R09 ACA 38493391264_ffbaf650b2_o Float Out (4) - Copy.jpg

[Little h]

Another observation - re motorised tilting whip antenna(?)

See:-
General Naval Topics section; Ships/Boats Equipment forum - QEC Carriers thread

[Brian James]

Rusting already!

[Brian James]

HMS Prince of Wales, hours before she departs Rosyth to commence sea trials this afternoon

[Pelican]

1st Sunset
Also illustration of the tight fit in the lock.
More here - https://www.facebook.com/savetheroyalna ... =3&theater

[Pelican]

May the Forth Be With You - the PRINCE OF WALES sails

The Royal Navy has now become only the second nation in global history to put two indigenously designed and built super carriers to sea. The news that PRINCE OF WALES has now left the Rosyth dockyard where she was assembled and is now about to head out to sea for the first time is incredibly exciting. For the first time in nearly 50 years the Royal Navy has a pair of strike carriers at sea.
Today is the realisation of a journey that was thought lost forever in 1966 when the CVA01 carrier was cancelled, and then reinvigorated in 1998 under the Strategic Defence Review. For over 20 years the Royal Navy has invested heavily, and sacrificed much, to ensure that this day would come.
But, putting to sea is merely the first step in a long next journey, and it is worth taking stock of what is likely to happen next. Perhaps more importantly, it is worth setting out in simple terms why you will not see POW embark F35s soon.

A very good article that continues at:
https://thinpinstripedline.blogspot.com ... QM21uQI3RE