RN Aircraft Carriers: Classless

[DaveH]

Thanks for those Jim . First time I have seen the Pretoria Castle ....... the model of which by Sandy resides at Our Missie's House [Where is the Sheppey Niss these days] .

DaveH

[ivorthediver]

Thanks for those Jim . First time I have seen the Pretoria Castle ....... the model of which by Sandy resides at Our Missie's House [Where is the Sheppey Niss these days] .

DaveH

Must admit the same thought crossed my mind Dave , our Sandy was such a guy , and sadly missed in our circles eh , and such a fine example to .

[oldsalt]

Unicorn during the Korean war had an established routine. We would leave Singapore with troops & spare aircraft parts. Then we went to Hong Kong, from there we sailed to Japan. The Commonwealth base was Kure, Fleet air Arm Iwakuni, Sasebo was the US base, we dry docked there. We would also go to Korean waters to be a spare deck, fuelling & rearming the Sea Fires & Sea Furies (think that's right) the Fleet Air Arm versions of the Spitfire & Hurricanes. One of those propeller planes shot down a MIG jet.

[ivorthediver]

Ahh...... cartridge start Jobbies Keith

[oldsalt]

In reply to an earlier question, in a rough sea I don't remember her being more "lively" than other ships of a similar size. The high freeboard, two hangar decks, was certainly responsible for us blocking the Suez Canal, there was a high wind which made her veer, frantic engine orders failed to stop the veer, she stopped when bow & stern were on the banks.

[ivorthediver]

Were there any allied tugs there to help Keith or did you back out

[oldsalt]

As far as I remember the tugs belonged to the Canal Authorities. Two tugs one forr'd one aft pulling in opposite directions to bring us into mid canal again. We then transited the rest of the canal with tugs attached by two ropes to the ship.

[ivorthediver]

And no doubt billed accordingly for the trouble eh.....

I bet that report on the issue made interesting reading eh Keith

[oldsalt]

We were stuck for 4 hours which meant my mate Tam won the prize for predicting the time we would pass the ANZAC memorial.

[ivorthediver]

Well you can't win them all Keith , can you